A moment of zen.

For many people, life is a hectic marathon of work, chores and the daily duties that being alive requires, such as cooking, eating, cleaning and sleeping. 

Zen, on the other hand, is created during those in-between moments and is associated with peace and a relaxed state of mind.

I recently had a conversation about carwashing with a co-worker. We discussed monthly memberships, carwash services and the attractiveness of the carwash she frequents. During the conversation, she said with a beaming smile, “Rich, I just love my carwash and sitting in the car as it goes through the wash. It’s truly my moment of zen.”

Quite the transformation for a business which decades ago might have lost money because of the opposite effect or perception it carried with people. Having reported on this industry for just under a decade, I have had the great opportunity to discuss the early days of automated carwashing with industry professionals, and the picture that they painted was anything but zen. 

Frequent issues during the infancy years of automated carwashing cited by these industry veterans include long wait lines, loud equipment, inconsistent results and damage to customers’ vehicles — none of which sounds exactly zen-like. 

With the International Carwash Association (ICA) leading the way and industry pioneers as well as revolutionary, forward-thinking manufacturers at the forefront over the previous decades, this industry transformation is understandable and quite remarkable. 

Today’s carwashes not only look better and process cars faster, but they also perform and sound better. Software that provides to-the-inch cleaning, improved brush materials, equipment features that dampen noise and reduce energy consumption … the list of advancements in this industry is too long for this space, but the end result for customers is both undeniable and even relaxing. 

The best place to see these carwash zen-creating products, supplies and equipment is at The Car Wash Show™ 2019. Taking place from May 13-15 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, this is the biggest carwashing and detailing show of the year. Hundreds of exhibitors will be in the Music City showcasing their innovations and services, and thousands of like-minded operators will also be in attendance. 

Be sure to keep pace with industry advancements, and then you too will understand the power of zen.