From Side Hustle to $77K: Here's A 22-Year-Old's Car Detailing Success

For many, a college degree is seen as the gateway to a high-paying job.

Kevin Roblero, a 22-year-old from West Palm Beach, Florida, is defying this conventional wisdom. Without a college degree, he's on track to earn an impressive $77,000 this year.

Roblero's entrepreneurial journey began when he was 18, cleaning cars as a side hustle, CNBC reported. 

The real turning point came in 2021 when he purchased a van, amplifying his car detailing business. Reflecting on his early days, Roblero said, "I felt like I was never going to find out if running my own business was meant for me unless I tried. And I thought, ‘I’m young, I can still start over if this doesn’t work out.’"

“I didn’t know how to do pricing, so I started low,” Roblero said, unable to recall the precise rates he initiated. Presently, his fees range from $120 for a basic cleaning to $350 for a comprehensive detailing package.

During 2022, he acquired the van for $8,000 and invested an additional $2,500 in enhanced equipment. In the same year, Roblero decided to take a leap of faith.

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He left his $20-per-hour entry-level accounting job at an aerospace repair company, which brought him $41,000 annually. Diving full-time into car detailing, he managed to earn $51,000 that same year.

“Basically, I took a leap of faith and went full-time with car detailing,” Roblero said. “If I wasn’t going to do it then, I was never going to do it.”

The year 2023 has been even more fruitful for Roblero. Alongside his car detailing business, he started creating car detailing videos for YouTube, which added another revenue stream. With these combined efforts, he's set to make about $77,000 this year. 

Roblero's success story underscores the potential of non-traditional career paths. It serves as a beacon of hope for many, proving that with determination and a clear vision, one can achieve financial success beyond the conventional routes.

“I want my family to be more financially stable than it is today,” he said. "It’s also about “doing my own thing and seeing what I can achieve, what my abilities are.”

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This story is part of a series of features on the subject of success, Benzinga Inspire.

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo: Shutterstock