Since I’ve been writing these tips for the last 8 months or so, we’ve discussed equipment maintenance, management techniques and other subjects we teach in CarWash College. To start the new year, I thought I’d offer an inspirational message instead. I’m available for private counseling sessions and kid’s birthday parties too if you’re interested.

Are you cut out for business in the real world?

Remember the line by Tom Hanks in the movie, a League of Their Own, “There’s no crying in baseball?” (Abbott & Marshall, 1992).

Not only is there no crying in baseball, there’s no crying in the car wash business either! Or any other business, for that matter. (Well, maybe in Starbucks. Some of those “baristas” are pretty sensitive).

Despite your kindergarten teacher’s best efforts to conceal the fact, the world is a cruel place.

The business world is the cruelest.

If things go bad in business, you have two options.

Cry about it or do something about it.

What do you do? Do you seek the company of others to share in your misery, or do you roll up your sleeves and go to work?

“Only the strong survive”, “Survival of the fittest”, “It’s a dog eat dog world”. You’ve heard these expressions before, I’m sure.

Know what? They’re true! If you sit around bemoaning your bad luck or complaining that business is bad, guess what? Outside of your immediate family and maybe your banker, no one cares! This may sound cold. It is. It’s also fact.

At some point in our careers, we all have found time for a little self-pity. It’s human nature, but here are the points I’m trying to make. Life’s hard! Business isn’t easy and customers are unforgiving!

Does any of this surprise anyone? It shouldn’t!

The ones that make it in business are the ones that relish the challenge. They make mistakes, sure. But they learn from them, and apply what they’ve learned, to make their businesses stronger. Is this you?

Look, we live in a politically correct world where everything is sugar coated to avoid offending people. What I’m saying is, the car wash business, or any business really, isn’t for the timid.

Some folks are cut out for business and some aren’t. That’s the cold, hard truth. If that offends you, I think you know which side of the argument you fall on.

But don’t worry, the world needs baristas too!

Bob Fox is an instructor at CarWash College™. Bob can be reached at [email protected]. For more information about CarWash College™ certification programs, visit CarWash College or call the registrar’s office at 1-866-492-7422.

This content is sponsored by SONNY’S CarWash College™. Sponsored content is authorized by the client and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Professional Carwashing & Detailing editorial team.