By Harvey J. Sorum
Correspondent
Are you a native of Fluvanna County? If not, where did you come from and why did you relocate here?
I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. I worked in the general labor/warehouse field for a while and wasn’t really going anywhere. My cousin who has lived in Virginia for some time was talking to me on AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). He was trying to get me to come visit for years and I just never did. One day I was talking to him and he said the post office is hiring and you should check it out. I replied yeah that is in Virginia though and jokingly said alright I will. Next thing I see is a Greyhound bus ticket confirmation number and he states, it’s non-refundable. So off I went to Virginia and applied and worked at the post office for four years.
Tell us about you and your family.
My family is supportive and even moved to Virginia after I did. We all have a great group of people with us.
As far as myself, I have not always been as ambitious as I am now. I am a goal achiever. I enjoy learning new skills. In the past six to seven years I have been intently changing the person I was. Since opening DetailMeNow back in 2018 I have molded myself to start becoming a leader. My nephew Isaiah who also works with me has developed into a completely different person for the better as a result.
Why did you open DetailMeNow?
I started this business of course because I truly enjoy it but there’s more to it. After working at the post office for four years I just felt there was something more. Something bigger than I currently did. I wanted to be a person I looked up to back then. The opening of DetailMeNow has strengthened my character, and allowed me to become more than just someone who gets up and goes to work every day, though there’s nothing wrong with that. It just wasn’t what I wanted. I have helped not only others with a clean vehicle but with a check mark next to a to-do list, with a piece of mind. Most people’s days, weeks or I’ve even heard lives become easier. Special events like weddings or first time car owners for someone’s child I have had a part in with the services I offer. To me, this isn’t about cleaning a car, it’s been something much bigger and recently once I started in a sense, mentoring my nephew, it has been even bigger.
How has the response been to your business?
Something I never expected, I received emerging business of the year back in 2020. I didn’t know there was such a thing. People have left some really awesome reviews on Google. So truthfully the response has been a dream come true.
What is the most unusual thing you have ever detailed?
I detailed a baby stroller once.
Any avocations?
I recently got into eBikes. I purchased a Surron which is a fully electric “dirt bike”. It’s really like a cross between a dirt bike and a mountain bike. But it’s pretty quick.
Any hobbies?
I enjoy making YouTube videos about the detailing service I offer.
Any regrets?
I don’t have regrets in life. I believe everything happens for a reason and should be learned from, both positive and negative events.
What have been the most important events in your life?
The most important events in my life started with receiving that bus ticket from my cousin Sean. I wasn’t the one for change, I just went with the flow in life. Got into college (barely) but never graduated, got a job and did the things everyone is taught. Then meeting my former business partner
Tyler who helped me get started in business. Then opening DetailMeNow.
Anything else to add?
Life is interesting. You can become who you want to become. You can do the things in life you want to do. I firmly believe that with a mental shift in your mindset, your beliefs, and having faith anything is possible. I refer to myself as the guy who just enjoys what he does. I know that once someone finds what they enjoy and does that one thing, there is nothing but success for that person if they so choose to make that a business. I am grateful and truly blessed to be in the position I am in.
