BROWNSBURG — Mike Shumaker always liked working on cars.
Growing up in Avon, he was the kid who washed his parents’ and neighbors’ vehicles. After moving here in 2003 and working in the information technology industry for about eight years, Shumaker went back to his first love.
“I figured out I didn’t want to sit at a desk in front of a computer all day,” he said.
Shumaker started Driven Auto Detail in 2007. It was a mobile business the first two years.
“I’d go around to people’s homes or offices and work on-site,” he said. “Mobile was a way to get my business started. There was less overhead. But I knew at some point I’d have a shop.”
He moved into his permanent location at 128 1/2 E. Main St., behind the Brauman-Moore law office, in March.
For Shumaker, the lure of auto detailing is the before and after.
“When a person drops off his car, he knows it’s not looking its best,” he said. “After however long it takes to detail it, they come back and normally are pretty floored by it. A lot of people say when they pick it up it looks better than the day they bought it. That’s about the biggest compliment I could get.”
Shumaker estimates he spends six hours restoring a small car, and up to 10 on an SUV. Paint correction alone can be a day-long process. Shumaker once spent 15 hours refurbishing the shine on a BMW.
“It’s a lot more work than what people realize,” he said. “Like with any industry, you’re an expert if you work in it, but you’re not if you don’t. I know the ins and outs of it. I realize you really have to like doing it to be successful at it.”
Shumaker also prides himself on using eco-friendly cleaning products. After testing several brands, he chose to work exclusively with Optimum-Polymers Technology, which is considered safe for the environment. Driven Auto also utilizes a vendor that only uses organic, recycled packaging.
“There’s so much waste in the world,” Shumaker said. “It’s pretty amazing how much we throw out.”
His work is earning him a client base. Shumaker recently detailed a Porsche that was driven by Matt Damon in the upcoming movie “The Informant.” He also spruced up a Lotus owned by the CEO of an Indy Car team. Besides here, Shumaker also has many customers in Zionsville.
“I try to tailor my services more toward quality over quantity,” he said. “Generally I get more high-end clients, and that’s what I shoot for.”
Today he’s got a BMW and Cadillac Escalade in the shop.
“When you work on nice vehicles, it makes your job a lot easier and more enjoyable,” Shumaker said.
For more information on Driven Auto Detail or to schedule an appointment, call 509-7158 or visit the website at www.drivenautodetail.com.
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Mike Shumaker buffs the paint on a BMW in his Driven Auto Detail shop in Brownsburg. / Photos by Wade Coggeshall
-
Driven Auto Detail exclusively uses eco-friendly cleaning products.
-
Shumaker moved into his shop at 128 1/2 E. Main St., behind the Brauman-Moore law office, in March.
It’s all in the details
Early training results in successful business
- Local News
-
-
Purdue Extension offers free tax filing
Beth Switzer has heard and seen cases of citizens who want their tax refunds quicker filing through agencies that charge them hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
-
City encourages recycling during Super Bowl events
Officials with the Office of Sustainability are encouraging visitors attending Super Bowl XVLI festivities to dispose of recyclable waste in any of the more than 200 pedestrian recycle bins placed throughout the downtown area.
-
Skillman announces 2012 'Stellar Communities' program
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman recently announced that the state is looking for its next Indiana "Stellar Communities."
-
‘American Idol’ winner visits Sheltering Wings
The residents, staff, and volunteers of Sheltering Wings were treated to a visit by Jordin Sparks, 2007 winner of “American Idol.” Sparks has been trying to make a positive impact on the Super Bowl cities for the past five years.
-
Patriot fan feels welcome...in his own town
This week I don’t live here. I flew in on a plane, have more money than I know what to do with, and brush my teeth with Sam Adams. Nevermind the fact that I actually do live here, played basketball
collegiately in this state, and ply my trade craft here eight hours a day. -
Teens start non-profit to reach out to peers
BROWNSBURG — Kendall Daugherty and Jordan Mutnansky have teamed up to start their own non-profit organization — Drop Your Dress Foundation — to help empower teens with terminal and debilitation illnesses.
-
VIDEO: Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction
More than 18,000 people descended on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney for the annual Groundhog Day celebration.
-
TCM hosts inaugural cruise
Last December, some 2,000 people from across the United States, Canada, and Europe made their way to Miami for a four-day round-trip cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. But it wasn't the golden beaches or sparkling blue waters that united the dedicated band of travelers; it was the onboard events and list of eminent guests.
-
Super Feathers initiative reaches goal
What started as a way for the Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau to support one of their own while teaming up with Indy's Super Cure, a Super Bowl initiative to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research, turned into a countywide effort that reached its goal of raising $5,000 in one month.
-
Mayor announces awards luncheon
The city of Indianapolis' third annual Sustainability Awards luncheon will be in March, so now is the time for Indianapolis businesses, non-profits, schools, and other organizations to submit applications for the 2012 Sustainability Awards.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Purdue Extension offers free tax filing
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
