Sandesh Kumar: Leading The Auto Detailing & Paints Industry Towards A Sustainable Future
Sandesh Kumar
Founder
Sandesh Kumar is an industry expert adding to the growth of Auto Detailing and technology induced paint & coating industry under the brand name ReflectON Automotive. ReflectON is a premier automotive detailing service provider company, set up to proliferate automotive detailing in India to a new level. Having been in the Auto Detailing industry for a decade now, not only has he developed a high degree ofexpertise in the technology, mechanics, and paint nitpicks for automobiles' customization, but has also helped set up 40 businesses in the industry. Previewing his well-built reputation and excellence in leading ReflectON as a recognized brand in the Auto Detailing & Paints industry, CEO Insights engages in an exclusive conversation with him. Below are the excerpts:
Tell us about the inception ideology of ReflectON Automotive. What was the motivation behind the establishment of this venture?
I am a B.Com. graduate from SMSG Jain College, Bangalore. However, my career began in mid-2004 as a domestic contact centre engineer. Even before I had completed my graduation in 2008, I was working for Synchronized Communications (handling an inbound contact center
customer service). Later on, I moved to different companies such as Hewlett Packard, LinkedIn, Metrowave Media, working in responsible roles of a Brand Strategy Consultant, Service Delivery Consultant(Level 3), Support Specialist and Strategy Consultant respectively. However, ReflectON Automotive's inception relates to my passion. I am a bike lover (especially retro bikes), hence alongside my job I still pursued it by building & repairing bikes for myself, my friends and family. Also, it was during this time I came across a prospering field in the automobiles industry- Auto Detailing, painting & restoration. Its vastness grew on me and setting off the ripples within me made me venture, into the field. It was in 2011, I incepted the company ReflectON Automotive, formerly Reflection Perfection (since 2008-11). Also, one more important thing that compelled me to take it seriously was its water saving quality car washing using organic wash methods.
What different roles have you been undertaking at ReflectON Automotive?
Being the sole proprietor of ReflectON, I have my hands full with responsibilities. Beginning with talking to customers, helping them, scouting for fresh talents, training them about in & out of the work, and encouraging them by educating them about the auto detailing industry's vast dimension, I try do it all along with the few men available in a simple workspace. I try to extensively focus on encouraging everyone I meet to know about the field, and its advantages, help young talent to skill themselves. I want to deploy passionate people around me. I also run an online forum and marketplace for Detailers in India called Detailers India, (www.detailers.in ) which is a forum and a marketplace of detailing professionals to offer services and
Contributing to Auto Detailing and Paints & Coatings industry for 10 years, Sandesh has crafted a niche of leadership with result-driven tracks of clients in India & abroad and is dedicated to driving this industry further with ReflectON
What different roles have you been undertaking at ReflectON Automotive?
Being the sole proprietor of ReflectON, I have my hands full with responsibilities. Beginning with talking to customers, helping them, scouting for fresh talents, training them about in & out of the work, and encouraging them by educating them about the auto detailing industry's vast dimension, I try do it all along with the few men available in a simple workspace. I try to extensively focus on encouraging everyone I meet to know about the field, and its advantages, help young talent to skill themselves. I want to deploy passionate people around me. I also run an online forum and marketplace for Detailers in India called Detailers India, (www.detailers.in ) which is a forum and a marketplace of detailing professionals to offer services and
buy products. This was established in 2013.
What were the initial challenges that taught you the basic lessons of managing diversified functions across ReflectON?
Automotive Detailing or technology painting is a rather new concept. Especially, when I talk about one part of this industry car washing, my first challenge was enlightening people about it. But, I did it finding the right kind of people as my team. Secondly, procurement of the right products from off-shore lands like microfibers, cleaning chemicals, basic brushes, and more, paying off custom duties, taxes and the shipping courier charges (including the damage cost) was also a big challenge for us. Thirdly, educating the staff keenly about every detailing works (like paint color codes/ shades/flakes, hardness, spraying pattern, PSI, and more) so that I can give them a free hand after training. However, it all went well, with our experienced team's dedication and here we are growing profoundly.
Having worked in different verticals and gained experience industry wide, how do you deploy your experience to chalk out business operations for the company?
At ReflectON, every day, every car or bike coming into our workshop is a new opportunity as well as a challenge for us. The people who handle or use them belong to different locations or environs which also differentiates its handling. Thus, our approach to managing every single vehicle's service needs to be different and particular. Hence, paying greater attention to detail while keeping ourselves updated according to the industry trends, we ensure to provide the best service. We strive to maintain a good relationship with high quality product manufacturers to ensure that we deliver high quality product service & maintain consistent product supply. Even in COVID times, we ensured to do so.
As for the future, with the help of ReflectON, we want to ensure that we change at least about five lakh people in Bangalore and lead them to switch to a cleaner method Klin (car cleaning maximum shine with minimum effort).
Sandesh Kumar, Founder, ReflectON Automotive
Enriched with high levels of auto detailing, painting & coating skills, he is a 10 yrs experienced industry maven keen to make it flourish further with ReflectON.
What were the initial challenges that taught you the basic lessons of managing diversified functions across ReflectON?
Automotive Detailing or technology painting is a rather new concept. Especially, when I talk about one part of this industry car washing, my first challenge was enlightening people about it. But, I did it finding the right kind of people as my team. Secondly, procurement of the right products from off-shore lands like microfibers, cleaning chemicals, basic brushes, and more, paying off custom duties, taxes and the shipping courier charges (including the damage cost) was also a big challenge for us. Thirdly, educating the staff keenly about every detailing works (like paint color codes/ shades/flakes, hardness, spraying pattern, PSI, and more) so that I can give them a free hand after training. However, it all went well, with our experienced team's dedication and here we are growing profoundly.
Having worked in different verticals and gained experience industry wide, how do you deploy your experience to chalk out business operations for the company?
At ReflectON, every day, every car or bike coming into our workshop is a new opportunity as well as a challenge for us. The people who handle or use them belong to different locations or environs which also differentiates its handling. Thus, our approach to managing every single vehicle's service needs to be different and particular. Hence, paying greater attention to detail while keeping ourselves updated according to the industry trends, we ensure to provide the best service. We strive to maintain a good relationship with high quality product manufacturers to ensure that we deliver high quality product service & maintain consistent product supply. Even in COVID times, we ensured to do so.
As for the future, with the help of ReflectON, we want to ensure that we change at least about five lakh people in Bangalore and lead them to switch to a cleaner method Klin (car cleaning maximum shine with minimum effort).
Sandesh Kumar, Founder, ReflectON Automotive
Enriched with high levels of auto detailing, painting & coating skills, he is a 10 yrs experienced industry maven keen to make it flourish further with ReflectON.