ColorAuto Detailing
From the Oil Field to the Fast Lane: How a Marine Veteran Built a Thriving Auto Detailing Business
Before he ever picked up a polishing cloth, Paul Heckman was serving his country as a U.S. Marine, deploying to Kuwait, Iraq, the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. Those years taught him adaptability, discipline, and leadership, qualities that would later shape how he runs his business today.
After eight years in the oil fields, Paul decided it was time for a change. Long hours and months away from home had taken their toll, and Paul wanted to build something that let him stay closer to his family while pursuing his lifelong dream of entrepreneurship.
From Humble Beginnings to High-End Detailing
Paul’s passion for detailing began in high school, long before oil rigs and machinery entered the picture. In 2014, while still working in North Dakota, he began sketching out a business plan for a detailing company he could grow back home in Grand Junction, Colorado. He reached out to a local business incubator, wanting to take advantage of all the services they offer, from coaching to financial education and eventually launched his business, ColorAuto Detailing.
Through consistent networking and a reputation for quality, Paul steadily expanded his services from standard detailing to ceramic coatings, paint protection film, and eventually window tinting for both vehicles and residential clients. Each new service took years of hands-on learning and refinement before offering it to potential customers. Paul trained his employees with outside experts and refused to expand until he knew he could deliver the best.
From Leasing to Ownership
As the business grew, so did the need for space. Paul moved his shop three times, each move marking another milestone of success. By the third move, Paul realized owning commercial real estate was very important to him. However, when it came time to buy his own facility, Paul hit an unexpected roadblock. Despite having long-standing relationships with local banks, he couldn’t find the support or flexibility he needed to make ownership a reality. That’s when he connected with B:Side Capital and Vectra Bank, securing a $900K SBA 504 loan that allowed him to purchase the property. In addition to a fast closing under the SBA ALP Express Loan Program, the 10% down payment structure gave him room to invest in remodeling and improvements, turning the building into a true reflection of his vision.
Today, his company operates out of a 6,000-square-foot building with four full-time employees, offering high-end automotive services to a loyal customer base thousands strong.
Looking Ahead
Paul’s next goal is expansion. He plans on adding a 4,000-square-foot building to improve workflow and separate detailing from more sensitive work areas. His growing window tinting division continues to gain traction, now generating steady jobs and new revenue each week. Through it all, Paul stays focused on running a business that delivers quality work while creating opportunity for his team.
“I realized that building a business is only a small part of my purpose. Where I really find joy is from building my employees. To me, that’s the best part of being an entrepreneur.”
