Name: Tom Schwartz.

Age: 53.

Occupation: Car detailer and owner of On The Spot Detailing.

Web site: www.onthespotdetailinginc.com

Three years ago, I was unemployed and looking for an opportunity to start my own business.

A friend mentioned to me some personal services that were offered to employees at her place of employment. I went to the car wash that same day and while waiting in line, I had the idea to start a mobile car detailing business. I did extensive research on the business and the area demographics, then decided it would be a good fit for Madison and the surrounding area.

I carry all the needed equipment, power washer, generator and 90-gallon deionized water supply in my trailer and use only biodegradable cleaning solutions.

I clean, shampoo, shine and polish the entire vehicle. I steam-clean and use protective spray on the interior carpeting and fabric seats. I polish and fill cracks and crevices on the exterior of the vehicle and take out small scratches with a buffer. I also vacuum the trunk. I apply a product to provide a high level of protection and long-lasting shine for tires, bumpers, rubber and trim. I usually wash and wax six to eight cars per day depending on the extent of the services needed and the size of the vehicle.

I earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation from UW-Milwaukee. I’ve had many interesting jobs that have given me experience in nonprofit organizational development and strategic planning, training, marketing, public relations, fundraising, business development and customer relations.

When I started my business, I attended a one-week professional detailing training program in San Diego. To do this job, I need a good eye for detail and the ability to work quickly and to clean the vehicle correctly.

I work monthly with several area companies. I conduct the detailing in the parking lots of the businesses, so that the employee doesn’t have to take time away from work. I also go to customers’ homes.

Seeing the expression on a customer’s face when they see the completed work is a real motivation for me. The challenge of the job is finding so much debris in the car that it will take a long time to remove it, vacuum and clean the interior within my time schedule. My advice to someone who wants to get into this line of work: be prepared for long days in cramped quarters.

What I Do invites people to tell in their own words what they do to earn a living. The column runs every Tuesday. To suggest someone to feature, contact Jill Carlson at jillcarlson1957@gmail.com.