Finding employment after graduation can be difficult, but one recent University of Georgia graduate was able to carve his own path to employment through a small business he started while at university.
After graduating in May, Jack TerHaar has been working full time on his business, Detail Dawgs, focusing on improving and growing it.
Detail Dawgs began as a warehouse car detailing business in 2022 and has grown to provide specialized services to a growing number of clients throughout the Athens area. In June, TerHaar expanded his business by purchasing a company van, allowing him to operate more efficiently and reduce his reliance on his personal vehicle.
“It gives a much better impression to clients in terms of being professional,” Ter Haar said. “Having a branded company car helps you attract higher-end clients who know this is real business.”
Aside from looking professional, buying a company car also boosts brand awareness and acts as a mobile advertisement, said TerHaar, who said it generates significant business just from the number of people who notice the van on the road.
“We’ve been leaning a lot more into the commercial side of things,” TerHaar said. “Over the summer we experimented with a few different commercial clients, and now we’re working with dealers and building relationships with a few different brands and their fleets.”
The Detail Dawgs team has also grown. TerHaar hired Clay Mullet as their first full-time team member and plans to continue adding more members to the team. TerHaar noted that having full-time team members is more practical and allows him to give his full attention to the business.
TerHaar feels Detail Dogs still has room to grow, but for now, he’s focused on perfecting his business in Athens and Watkinsville before expanding his service area and purchasing more vans. Since graduating, the business has focused on specialized monthly services that allow for service.
By expanding his fleet, hiring full-time team members and prioritizing professional service, TerHaar has built Detail Dawgs into a sustainable and growing business. While it’s not the traditional 9-to-5 job that many students seek after graduation, TerHaar is focused on carving his own path to success.