DESIGNS IN DECORATOR WOOD & LAMINATES, LTD.

Business & Professional

ENTREPRENEUR

Auto Oasis from page 25

Lois Moron Allied Member ASID 248.851.6989

ART
CLASSES

CERAMICS
DESIGN
121 DIGITAL ARTS
DRAWING
FASHION DESIGN
GLASS
JEWELRY

Matt Lifter loves his Model T.

METALS
MOSAICS
PORTFOLIO PREP
PHOTOGRAPHY
PAINTING
to PRINTMAKING
SCULPTURE

ALL AGES, STARTING L
ti 2', & ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE, STARTING @ ZERO!

BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD

Art-

TO SIGN UP OR FOR MORE DETAILS:

BBArtCenter.org

1516 S. Cranbrook Road
Birmingham 48009

248.644.0866

FALL CLASSES BEGIN THE WEEK OF SEPT 13 FOR ADULTS & SEPT 20 FOR YOUTH

and in disrepair. It took a lot of volun-
teer work from family and friends to
"transform the place into an automo-
tive oasis:' Lifter said.
"We had to renovate everything
inside, paint the place, fix the side-
walks and parking lot and make it all
conform to city codes. It cost about
$500,000 to buy the building, then get
all that work done?'
"You must have some extra capi-
tal on hand to start a new business
because it will cost more than you
planned:' he said. "And you must be
patient after making a career change
like this. I focus on being unique com-
pared to other detailing shops."
Helping Lifter were his wife,
Michelle — they live a block from the
business — his father, mother, step-
father, friends and his five employees.
The work took a toll on Lifter; he
needed back surgery, but is now fully
recovered.

1536470

Educating individuals.

Impacting communities.

Improving the world.

[Fir

AMERICA

On behalf of our students and all of us at ORT America
Michigan Region, we wish you and your loved ones
peace, health and prosperity for a sweet year, filled with
hope and new beginnings.

Nicole Muchnick
Director, ORT Michigan

26

September 9 • 2010

Beverley J. Katz & Keith Lublin
Co-Presidents, Michigan Region

1620370

Award Winner
Motor City AutoSpa won a Royal
Oak Beautification Award last year
and WDIV-TV's Best Auto Detailing
Company Award. The building has
4,500 square feet and 10 work stalls,
plus a $5,000 pressure washer, han-
dling classic and everyday cars, trucks,
SUVs, motorcycles, recreational vehi-
cles and even small boats.
Offered is a menu of spa cleanup
packages, ranging from $139 to $359,
plus an "a la carte" list of individual
services. The most popular pack-
age, a 20-step process costing $239,
includes steam-cleaning, washing,
Orb waxing, vacuuming, touch-up

painting "and just bringing the interi-
or to like-new' condition:' said Lifter.
"For example, a mother brought in
her six-month-old vehicle because
it had been trashed on a trip by her
four kids. The results are great here
because our staff is experienced and
has a passion for care

Pleasing Work
One of Lifter's top auto enthusiast
customers is Lauren Mendelson
of Huntington Woods. She and her
husband, David, an orthopedic sur-
geon, own 10 classic cars, most of
them exotic Italian cars, plus a rare
Morgan Aeromax — one of only 100
in the world. Their everyday cars are
Mercedes.
"I take care of my children and
Motor City AutoSpa takes care of my
automotive children:' she quipped.
"They do superb work and never
miss anything in the clean-up pro-
cess. I see them picking out things
with tweezers. My cars come out
looking gorgeous:'
Don Sommer, founder of the
Detroit area's annual Concours
d'Elegance automotive exhibi-
tion, said, "Matt Lifter has expertly
detailed many of my classic and
everyday cars ... and is truly skilled
in his art."
Said Lifter, "This business is chal-
lenging because a lot of physical work
is involved and, of course, I had to
learn the nuances of starting a new
business. But I'm doing what I love as
opposed to working for a big company
again." Cl