Q+A with Founder Tom Aylmer

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**Q: What made you leave accounting to start a mobile detailing business?**

**A:** I always loved keeping things clean and organized. After years as a CPA, I kept thinking about how to create real value for families—something practical that fits into their lives instead of adding more to-do’s. The idea of a full premium detail in your own driveway clicked. It’s convenient, and it lets people focus on what matters: getting where they need to go and feeling good about the vehicle they’re in. Fresh Start was born from that.

**Q: What’s the story behind your first car, and how does it connect to Fresh Start?**

**A:** I was the first person in my high school class to get a driver’s license. My first car was a 1998 black Nissan Maxima SE—Bose sound system, heated leather seats, and tint right at the legal limit. My parents helped with a loan, and I paid it off working at the local golf club. That experience taught me independence and how much it matters to have your own reliable way to get around. That same feeling is what we try to give clients today: the confidence that comes from a vehicle that’s ready for whatever’s next.

**Q: You talk about “teeing customers up.” What does that mean in practice?**

**A:** It’s not just about a clean car—it’s about the feeling of being prepared and confident in your drive. Preparation is a big part of my routine. When we pull up, handle the detail (and the little extras like tire pressure, fluids, or blades when needed), and leave the vehicle ready to go, clients can hop in and take off without thinking about the maintenance. That’s the goal. A clean, cared-for vehicle makes the rest of the day easier.

**Q: How does the family business side show up for clients?**

**A:** Fresh Start is owned and operated by the Aylmer family. Community matters to us, and small businesses power local areas like Chesterfield. We treat clients the way we’d want our own family treated—clear communication, consistent quality, and services that actually fit real family life. Our FamilyFlex™ plans let households rotate between cars, SUVs, trucks, and even ATVs under one membership, so the whole fleet stays taken care of without multiple memberships or extra trips.

**Q: What sets the mobile, at-home experience apart?**

**A:** We bring everything we need—water, power, professional tools—so you don’t have to. Service happens on your schedule, often in an hour or two, and we work around weather when we can. It’s designed for busy families who want the results of a solid detail without the runaround. Over time, we learn preferences so each visit feels more tailored. The van pulls up, the work gets done, and you’re ready to go.We also have weekend slots for folks who prefer getting their car done on a non-work day!