It was a hot Saturday afternoon in Ikeja, Lagos, and Chinedu sat with his friend Kunle at a local café. Kunle had just gotten a car wash, and it got Chinedu thinking. With N100,000 sitting in his bank account, Chinedu was eager to start a business but wasn’t sure where to invest the money. “How about starting a car wash business?” Kunle suggested.

The idea seemed interesting, but Chinedu wondered, “Is N100,000 enough to start a car wash businessN And how much can I really make from it?”

Kunle, being the entrepreneurial mind he was, smiled and began laying out the steps for Chinedu to make the car wash idea work.

Step 1: Equipment and Setup

Chinedu’s first question was about the equipment he’d need. Kunle quickly explained that starting small is key when you’re on a shoestring budget.

Here’s how Chinedu’s budget for starting the business broke down:

• Buckets, Brushes, and Sponges: N10,000
• Water Supply (Tanks or Reservoir): N20,000
• Detergents and Soaps: N5,000
• Towels and Drying Cloths: N5,000
• Plastic Chairs and Small Shade (Canopy): N15,000
• Signage and Banner for Promotion: N10,000
• Rent for Space (if necessary): N25,000
• Miscellaneous Expenses (water hoses, gloves, etc.): N10,000

That left Chinedu with just N100,000 to cover everything.

Kunle advised him to find an affordable space near busy areas, such as near an office complex, market, or filling station, where people would easily see the car wash. He also suggested using water from boreholes or negotiating a monthly water supply with a local provider to save on costs.

Step 2: Daily Operations and Cost Management

With the setup in place, Chinedu needed to think about how to run the business on a day-to-day basis. The cost of running a car wash, Kunle explained, was primarily in labor and water supply. However, given that he was starting small, Chinedu could handle the washing himself, at least for the first few months.

• Water Costs: Chinedu found that a daily water supply would cost around N1,000.
• Labor: Since Chinedu was doing the work himself at the beginning, he saved on labor costs.

Chinedu calculated that he would be spending roughly N1,000 per day in running costs, covering water, detergents, and utilities.

Step 3: Pricing and Earning Potential

Kunle explained that a basic car wash in Lagos typically costs around N1,000 to N1,500, depending on the area and the service offered. However, Chinedu should offer discounts to attract first-time customers and create packages that would encourage repeat business.

Here’s how Chinedu could structure his pricing:

• Basic Exterior Wash: N1,000
• Interior and Exterior Wash: N1,500
• Special Package (Includes waxing, vacuuming, etc.): N2,000

Assuming Chinedu could wash 10 cars a day at N1,500 each, his daily income would be:

N1,500 x 10 cars = N15,000 daily

Step 4: Profit Calculation

Chinedu was curious how much profit he could make. After factoring in his daily running costs, Kunle helped him calculate his potential earnings.

• Daily Revenue: N15,000
• Daily Costs: N1,000 (water, detergents, etc.)
• Net Profit per Day: N14,000

Now, if Chinedu operated six days a week, his weekly profit would be:

N14,000 x 6 = N84,000 per week

On a monthly basis, this could grow to:

N84,000 x 4 = N336,000 per month

Step 5: Scaling the Business

Kunle explained that after a few months, once Chinedu had built up his clientele and saved some profits, he could expand by hiring more staff or offering additional services like mobile car washing (going to customers’ homes or offices). This could help Chinedu increase the number of cars he washes daily.

Here’s how Chinedu could expand:

Hiring an Extra Hand: With more customers, hiring one or two employees would allow him to wash more cars each day. If he hired one assistant and paid them N30,000 per month, his capacity to serve customers could increase by 50%.

Mobile Car Wash: With minimal investment in transportation (maybe a small motorcycle or bicycle), Chinedu could offer mobile car wash services at an extra fee, tapping into a new clientele.

Kunle advised Chinedu to always reinvest a portion of his profit into the business. Whether buying new equipment or expanding services, this strategy would ensure steady growth.

Step 6: Marketing the Business

Chinedu couldn’t rely solely on the busy road for customers. He needed to actively market his business. Here are the strategies Kunle recommended:

Word of Mouth: Satisfied customers would naturally tell their friends, but Chinedu should also incentivize this with discounts for referrals.

Social Media: Posting pictures of clean cars and happy customers on Instagram and WhatsApp status could help spread the word.

Local Partnerships: Partner with nearby offices, banks, or restaurants, offering their employees special discounts for car washes. A small banner outside a popular office could attract daily customers.

Final Thoughts: How Much Can Chinedu Make?

With an initial investment of N100,000, Chinedu’s car wash business had the potential to generate N336,000 per month in profits after accounting for basic running costs. That’s over three times his initial investment in just the first month. As the business grows, expanding services and hiring staff could see Chinedu earning even more.

For anyone looking to start a business with N100,000 in Nigeria, the car wash business offers substantial profit potential. With a small setup, a good location, and dedication to quality service, it’s possible to turn a modest investment into a sustainable income stream.