Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Leeper.
Hi Ben, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started with a childhood passion for cars and spending the day with dad. Dad was and still is a huge car “buff” and his passion was quickly passed onto me at a very young age. I would spend Saturday afternoon putting on a coat of wax that smelled oddly like a synthetic banana with dad! As my passion for cars and detailing progressed, I began to work as a car wash tech and a dealership detailer through college.
After college, I opened my own detailing business in Colorado but quickly realized a mobile detail business in the dead of Colorado Winter was going to be tough. So, I paused my dream until I could find a place to continue. One thing led to another and I ended up right here in San Antonio, Texas working on private and corporate aircraft as a detailed technician.
I continued to grow my passion for cars, detailing, and now of course AIRPLANES!!! I was living a dream but my business sense was eating away at me to start something new and fresh. I began to create a business plan for Buff’s Detail Supply- a lifelong dream.
Every step of the process has been self-generated. Everything from the name, logo design, web development, labeling, storefront, etc., is all created from my dream and visions.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Any new business comes with its obstacles and challenges. The most critical component to overcoming these surprises is to take them as they come and learn as much as possible when they happen.
Covid has placed its obvious challenges on ALL businesses and as the dilemma changes daily; you need to be ready to shift and overcome. Not only has it presented us with employment challenges but also supply and demand changes. The overall unpredictability of our current pandemic is absolutely a real challenge for us.
With inflation on the biggest rise, any of us have ever seen… Everyone is concerned and could cause some to be monetarily cautious and elect to hold off on products and services we offer.
Our biggest challenge is to gain visibility and let people know that we exist. Without an extensive marketing budget that exceeds many peoples annual income- in today’s market it can be very challenging to market ourselves.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have 10 years of hands-on aviation detailing experience and 20 years of automotive background. This time has taught and allowed me to educate and enhance my detailing skills and ability to serve individuals with undoubtedly high expectations.
I have a true passion for restoration quality detail services. I have spent countless hours working on paintwork, upholstery, mechanical and aluminum surfaces. I have an exceptional eye for the smallest details and a very high expectation for myself and my team every day.
I have mixed my passions together on a side hobby- of taking old unused aircraft parts and repurposing them into art sculpture and functional art. I combine all of my skills and talents to build these one-of-a-kind pieces of art.
What makes you happy?
What makes me happy? I love having something that I love and am passionate about to go to every day. The products and services bring nothing but joy to my clients. This is what really makes me happy is seeing the true joy and excitement from them.
And being a part of such a warm and welcoming community like the local San Antonio Car Community is fantastic.
Contact Info:
- Email: buffsdetailsupply@gmail.com
- Website: www.buffsdetail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buffs_detail_supply/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/buffsdetailsupply
Image Credits
JLX Media & Winter Zamora
