Meet Kevin Ruiz | 23 Year-Old Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Ruiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, how do you think about risk?
If you had asked me 2 years ago, I would’ve argued convincingly that to win big you have to bet big. I was of the opinion that most people are risk-averse and this is why many don’t realize their full potential. I see things differently now.

I’ve always been a stubborn optimist; I often don’t even consider the possibility of losing. When I dropped out of college and quit my full-time job to start Upscale Detail, I took a huge bet on myself. I bet that I could win in business as a 21 year old dropout, no matter the odds. Well the closer I get to winning, the more I realize that I’ve been wrong about everything.

The more I study my heroes, people who have taken big bets and won big, the more I realize that one of my core beliefs was totally wrong. Those people might be some of the most risk-averse out there. They don’t just throw themselves headfirst into a risky situation, hoping with blind optimism for the best result. They study and prepare and make sure their odds of winning are as high as possible before making the calculated decision to jump. They win, not because they defied the odds, but because they turned the odds in their favor through consistency, a hunger for knowledge, and the ability to learn from failure and evolve.

Now, as I work to take Upscale to the next level, I make sure not to let my optimism blind me from reality. I know that the only way I can win is by learning from mistakes, educating myself daily, constantly improving, and doing these simple things consistently for years and years. This kind of dedication creates winners, it turns the odds in favor of the one who is willing to commit for 5, 10, 15 and 20+ years. Playing the lottery is risky, winning in business is 90% preparation and 10% luck. And as Louis Pasteur said, luck always favors the prepared.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is Upscale Detail- a car detailing service in Dallas, TX. We are committed to providing comfort and confidence to people’s lives by looking after their vehicles and making sure they are perfectly clean and looking amazing. I believe that when your daily environment is clean and looks nice you tend to feel better, be more productive, and you have a better outlook on things.

This is what we try to provide through every one of our car detailing services. By caring for their vehicles, we make sure our customers truly feel happier when driving home from work or out to a nice restaurant. We provide an environment that they feel confident to share with others. By keeping their cars in the best condition possible, we make sure those positive feelings can be experienced for years to come.

We are growing slowly but surely, and this is thanks to our marketing efforts which have helped us to get more exposure. We also focus on providing an amazing experience for each and every customer. This contributes to our high ratings on Google, which brings us even more customers. It has not been easy mostly because of a lack of experience on my part. With this being my first and only business, the more I learn the more
I realize that I have still have so much to learn.

I’ve been able to learn and improve however, just by showing up each day and trying to push the needle a little more. I believe in consistency as being something that sets winners apart from losers. It’s very hard to show up each and every day when the results are not immediately seen. Success in business is a long-term game. So rather than letting short-term setbacks discourage me I try and focus on the long-term mission. I’m not the best at focusing, I think I get distracted rather easily. But I try to take one more step in the right direction every day. I know this will eventually pay off, so I won’t stop.

I’d like the world to know that I am working to bring valuable products and services to as many people as possible. I’d like them to know that even though I’m still in the beginning season, there will come a time when all my time and effort spent learning will pay off. This is when one of my businesses (maybe Upscale Detail) will be known everywhere. For now however, I will spend my time trying to figure out how to provide the best service possible for the people of Dallas.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was new to Dallas, there are quite a few spots I would take them to. Firstly we would have to eat at some of the best restaurants in Dallas. Restaurants such as Sushi Sakana in Plano, Flaming Burger in Garland, Rodeo Goat in Rockwall, Malai in West Village, and Burning Rice in Richardson.

We would visit places such as Trinity Groves Overlook for the best view of our beautiful skyline, Klyde Warren Park for an urban park experience, Legacy West for a huge food hall with tons of great restaurants, and the Bishop Arts District for a nice area to walk and hang out day or night.

I would also take them to different experiences such as an FC Dallas game, a view of Dallas at Reunion Tower, or to hear some live music in Deep Ellum.

Dallas has so much do to, and there is always a new restaurant or experience to see. Although I have many favorite things to do, see or eat, trying new things is one of the best parts of Dallas.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout today is dedicated to my parents. They have been nothing but supportive of me and this business, even during some tough times. They have always been there to lend a hand or give a word of encouragement. Not only have they given me plenty of help and advice, they have also set an amazing example since I was young. Both my parents are immigrants that came to this country for a better life, as they realized the wealth of opportunity it provides its citizens.

They worked hard both in school and at work to make the most of these opportunities, and I have learned so much just from seeing their work ethic in person. They raised me to work with excellence and integrity, working to please God and not man. I am who I am because of the effort and sacrifices they’ve made to provide the best childhood possible for me. I do my best now to make my parents proud, to represent my family the best that I can. They deserve the credit for anything I’m able to accomplish in this life.

Website: https://myupscaledetail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upscaledetailtx/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myupscaledetail

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/upscale-detail-garland