ICA's most recent vehicle damage report (distributed to members) indicates a damage rate of less than one tenth of one percent -- great data to share to help tell the story that professional car washes are safe for the environment AND the vehicle.

Firing people never gets any easier, but the first time can be the worst, especially if someone is one of a startup’s initial employees. Here are some ways to the process go a little smoother.

It’s that time of year again! SBA is gearing up for National Small Business Week, May 12-16. And like last year, we’re taking the show on the road to celebrate small businesses across the United States. We’re excited for this year’s activities, which will include forums and panels about trends in small business, innovation, financing, business growth – and more. There will also be matchmaking events and networking opportunities.

Every successful sports team has a "go-to" player, someone who can be counted on to perform and deliver whatever is needed in specific situations. As a small-business owner, you want your firm to be a "go-to" resource for your customers, the place they’ll turn to whenever they need a certain product or service, regardless of other options that may be available.

If you pay attention to customer satisfaction, companies are told, success will follow. But Timothy Keiningham, global chief strategy officer and executive vice-president of Ipsos Loyalty, says new research shows this is simply not true. The relationship between customer satisfaction and customer spending behaviour is actually very weak. 

Autobell Car Wash said this week the company had purchased a former Rainbow Auto Spa on East Hudson Boulevard in late April. Carl Howard, Autobell chief operating officer, called the move an opportunity to more effectively serve the Gaston County market, since road construction and reconfiguration had made the car wash’s former location on Union Road a "less trafficked location."

Elzinga and Volkers Construction Professionals, a Holland-based firm, has broken ground on a new Quality Car Wash location at the northeast corner of Chicago Drive and Waverly Avenue in Holland. The new location will be the Quality Car Wash chain’s largest and include a 4,000-square-foot convenience store featuring a Tim Horton’s Cafe and Bake Shop with a drive-thru window.

For 16 years, Cruisers has been keeping the Cape Fear area’s cars sparkling with a combination of high quality service and friendly staff. In addition to it’s two well know locations in Wilmington, NC, they also operate a self-service location in Southport, NC, popular with boat owners after a day on the water.