Two young entrepreneurs have turned a £500 starting budget into a purpose-built studio, a mobile detailing service and training courses in just two years – and want to inspire others to follow their lead.

Aaron Young and Will Goodall were just 18 when they launched AW Detailing.

Now 20, they run a purpose-built detailing studio in Pontefract, operate a mobile service across West Yorkshire and offer in-person training courses for people looking to learn the trade.

The business specialises in paint correction, ceramic coatings and deep cleans, while its mobile van provides maintenance washes and deep cleans at customers’ homes and workplaces.

Aaron Young and Will Goodall established AW Detailing when they were 18.

placeholder image — Aaron Young and Will Goodall established AW Detailing when they were 18.

Aaron said: "We both started at 18 with about £500 and put every pound back into the business."

AW Detailing started almost by accident after one of their cars went in for a service and one of them needed a lift.

A conversation on the journey home sparked an idea based on their shared passion for cars and ambition to build something of their own.

Aaron said: "It turned into a long conversation on the way home, a little idea for a business, and we both had a real passion for cars.

"The next day the notepads were out, and that night at 1am in the garden we designed the logo. AW was born."

Having left college and taken part-time jobs, the pair started with just enough money to buy basic equipment.

Their first customer’s car took seven hours to clean, earning them £30.

Rather than taking the money out of the business, they continued taking on jobs and reinvesting their earnings.

Aaron said: "We did the next one, then the next, and put every pound back in. For a long time that meant ridiculous hours and no weekends, around our part-time jobs."

Two years later, the business has grown considerably.

The value of the jobs has increased significantly, too.

What began with £30 washes has developed into specialist paint correction and ceramic coating work worth thousands of pounds.

One local business owner initially booked a deep clean that developed into around £2,000 worth of work.

Aaron said: "It's come a long way from that idea in the garden. Two years on, we're 20 and this is where it is.

"We taught ourselves first, then trained with some of the best in the industry. Now we teach too: we run in-person detailing courses at the studio, so other people can learn the trade from us and build something of their own."

Now, they hope their experience will encourage other young people to take the first step towards building a business of their own, even if the prospect feels daunting.

Aaron said: "For other young people thinking about starting a business, our message would be to just start.

"To get where we are took a lot of risks, which is a big thing to do at a young age, but if you wait until you feel completely ready, you never start.

"Even if you're not sure it will come off, the worst case is you've learned a skill and gained experience nobody can take off you."