HoodGeek Customs | Application Preview
HoodGeek Customs is seeking government grants to grow its business by leasing a newer work truck, acquiring automated production equipment such as CNC routers and sewing machines, a 3D scanner and printer, and a hydro dipping machine. Additionally, the funding will help hire two more employees, purchase materials like leather and vinyl, acquire hardware, and lease a larger workshop.
The business plans to expand its services, building on a recent investment in a CO2 laser engraver that enhances its custom work capabilities. With the new equipment, HoodGeek Customs aims to deliver more precise and complex sewing patterns, enabling it to assist other upholsterers and elevate their offerings. To boost visibility, the company will invest in marketing and advertising, including a promotional vehicle for showcasing at car shows, which will help attract new customers and foster brand loyalty.
HoodGeek Customs believes this funding will position it among the top custom upholstery shops in the country. The owner has been immersed in the industry since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining hands-on experience through apprenticeship. This background has informed their understanding of industry weaknesses, which they plan to convert into strengths, particularly focusing on improving completion times, communication, and work quality.
Local competitors include D.lux Designs, Mars Custom Upholstery, and Walls Upholstery. HoodGeek Customs differentiates itself by emphasizing exceptional customer service. The owner prioritizes effective communication, honesty, and high-quality work, ensuring customers are kept informed throughout the process with updates and progress documentation. This customer-centric approach positions the business to stand out in a competitive market.
-
General Information
Business Registration Number: 87-2143013
Location: Louisvillle, Ky, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: YES
-
Funding Usage
I will be using the funding to lease a newer reliable work truck to conduct business in, automated equipment to increase production including cnc routers and cnc sewing machines, 3D scanner and printer, hydro dipping machine, to hire 2 more employees to handle workload, leather and vinyl and related materials, hardware, and to lease a bigger shop.
-
Business Plan
I will be growing HoodGeek Customs by offering expanded services to customer and other upholsterers alike. We have recently purchase a co2 laser/engraver that helped take our custom work to another level. Being able to add more equipment in the future being able to stitch precise complex sewing patterns that other upholsterers cannot complete without having the cnc machines we will be able to help them better serve their customers also. We also will be adding marketing and advertising to spread awareness of the business as this far we have been operating on word of mouth only. We have a promotional vehicle we are currently working on that will be our rolling advertisement. We will be traveling to car shows competing and displaying our work to attract more customers. We will be adding merchandise giving customers, fans, and enthusiasts a way to support us and represent our brand. HoodGeeks Customs will become one of the top custom upholstery shops in the countr with this funding. I’ve been studying the industry since the beginning of Covid. At that same time I bought a sewing machine with no experience and months later met a local upholsterer who I asked to simple tell me what size thread to use. He took a liking to me and made me his apprentice. I am now able to learn the correct traditional way under his guidance and to integrate more custom modern design sought after by custom car culture. I literally live and breathe cars and have found my niche in the car world. I didn’t want to be a mechanic or anything else. I’ve noticed the weaknesses of the current upholstery shops and will capitalize by making those our strengths separating us from the competition. Weaknesses including time of completion, communication, and quality of work.
-
Self Identified Competition
My top 3 competitors locally would be D.lux Designs (Southern IN), Mars Custom Upholstery (Louisville, KY), and Walls Upholstery (Louisville, KY). What separates HoodGeek Customs from our competitors is we specialize in treating the customer the way we want to be treated. I give customers what I expect when I’m the customer. When someone is doing work on my car I want honest great work completed in a timely manner and above all communication. At HoodGeek Customs we are as excited to work on the vehicles as the customers seeing the finished product. We call with updates and take pictures and videos documenting the process. We go above and beyond.
-
Contact Applicant
Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More
