‘Touch of Class’ delivering a classy community service

Dec 17, 2017 News

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By Sharmain Grainger

A thriving business is not always easy to achieve. Many entrepreneurs can attest to the fact that sometimes success is only attainable after several instances of trial and error. Only those who are resilient enough can withstand the challenges, and sometimes shortfalls, that can emerge in their business endeavours.

Among those who understand all too well the concept of sustaining a business, is the woman behind the ‘Touch of Class Auto Laundry’ situated at 106 Croal Street, Georgetown.

Her name is Kendrea Hall.

As the General Manager she has an indomitable knack for serious business. But only a few people are even aware that she sits at the helm of this business, since she rarely assumes the ‘boss lady’ persona. “Many people see me and they think I am just an employee here and I don’t mind them thinking that…I just do what I have to do to keep this business going,” said a modest Hall during a recent interview.

In reality, she is the brain and lifeblood of the business that many have gradually grown to appreciate and accept as a necessary part of society. This is in spite of the many less developed car washes springing up every day.

But it hasn’t at all been an easy task bringing the business to the place where it is today.

The business in actuality started a few years ago as a novel introduction. Many clients just visited for the intrigue, since the car wash is one that boasts a washing facility that literally lives up to its ‘touchless’ hype.

The hype was enough to create a sufficient customer base so that the business could thrive, but a few challenges of a mechanical nature, saw them quickly returning to the popular roadside car washes. At the time the business was under different management.

However, it was just one year ago that Hall, with the support of her husband, Gary, assumed control of the business, causing it to be transformed by ‘leaps and bounds’.

Transforming the business meant investing a great deal to fix some defects and, according to Hall, “we been ensuring that we have people coming often to service our equipment; we can’t afford to have those problems. I want to give the customers what they come here for – they come here for a touchless car wash and so they can’t come and see people using a pressure washer on their cars.”

Living up to the standard that she promotes, is essentially what drives Hall to keep her business going. Even though there were times she questioned whether the effort and time was worth it, she takes solace in the fact that she has not only been offering a very appreciated community service, but employment to a few young men who could have otherwise found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

“I feel good that I can help to give somebody an honest dollar, that for me is what a good business is about…providing a good service and giving sustained employment to others,” Hall noted.

Currently the business has within its employ four young men who closely monitor the ‘touchless’ wash, and administer other services as required by the individual customer.

In addition to the wash, which caters to customers’ specific needs, services offered include: vacuuming, interior steam cleaning and detailing, waxing, polishing and so much more.

Hall is also well supported by her husband, who helps to watch over the business, and according to him, “customers can benefit from various packages too. Also they can come, leave their cars, and go about their business then come back later and pick up or wait if they choose…”

Customers who choose to wait can take advantage of the free WiFi service the business offers.

However, the wait is not likely to exceed 20 minutes, regardless of the number of services they choose. Added to this, customers can rest assured that their time at the Touch of Class outlet will not be affected by a power outage, since the business has independent power generation.

Thrilled that his wife has been able to take the business to new heights, Gary Hall revealed that the business is one that uses the best technology to not only clean, but enhance the vehicles it caters to.

“A lot of cars have fancy paint jobs, so we try to get the chemicals that enhance the paint. What we do is try to give people value for money,” Gary Hall added, as he pointed out that “We try to give customers more, but we have been keeping the cost down…they can see that they are getting value for money.”

But Kendrea Hall is not only supported by her husband, as her eldest son, 19-year-old Triston, also helps to manage the daily operation of the business when he isn’t busy with his flight studies. Her two younger sons – 13-year-old Darin and 11-year-old Karsten – have also been commanding their places, essentially making the business a family affair.

In addition to the car services, the business also offers a steam cleaning service for office and household carpets.

Given the success that the business has generated over the past year, Hall plans on hosting a customer appreciation day slated for next Saturday [December 23] as a means of giving back to her loyal customers just in time for the holidays.

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