Saturday Bizness

We didn't have a lot of bodies at the Car Wash on Saturday, but we made it work anyway. Everybody did his or her part and held down the fort.

The result: Some of our customers brought back their second car for a wash. We made almost as much profit as we have for Sunday car washes. We made 50% more profit yesterday than we did on last week's Saturday car wash. (Correction: I forgot to figure in the gas station's $325 fee.)

I can't explain why we had so much more traffic. I'm just thankful we had good customers and that we were blessed with another clear, sunny day, morning to afternoon. And most of all, that our parents and players worked together. Sometimes we didn't even have a sign holder on the street curb and the cars still kept turning into our lot.

Saturday's crew: Kapaa and Lehua Nishimura, Sierra and Joy Murobayashi, Coach Bo and Auntie Char, Nate and Ryan Higashionna, Kali‘a and Coach Rob Mielke, Javan and Julie Montiho, Manoa Kualii-Moe, Micah Visoria, Kyle, Kerl, Aunite Chit and Coach Roy Moraga.

I know this sounds a little cliche, but it's true. That apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Thunder parents work hard and their children (usually) follow. More than that, our parents go the extra mile (literally). Eric and Joy stored a huge amount of equipment after last week's car wash and brought it all back in their truck. Lehua set up our tables and her sister made us an awesome sign that would've cost us a bunch of money otherwise. Coach Rob kept the wash unit focused when necessary. Nate was tireless on the wash side and the dry side (again), and he brought this cool bristle tool to "floss" the grime off tire rims. Julie was a rock on the dry side. Roy and Chit got there after church and helped big time on the dry side. Auntie Char came after work and took care of our customers.

Our Thunder ballers worked hard all day, most of them pulling double shift and nobody complained. They took turns on the sign-holding duties, too. These kids are awesome! Crazy sometimes, but cool kids. That's why we have customers who tell us they'd rather have us do the washing than a professional car wash. They believe in the cause as much as we do. That's why so many of them tip us. My guess is that at least one-third of our profit comes from tips, usually $5 on a $10 or $15 wash. That's huge!

I can't predict what happens at every car wash or practice or game. But one thing that's always certain is that our parents step up and lead our kids, and the guys follow suit. That's why I worry about turnout and results less and less. It was always out of my hands anyway. My role is to set things up and be ready for new ideas that will benefit our team.

So far, it's been two car washes. Our net in the first one was $602. Net in the second one is $577 after costs for some microfiber towels and food (bottled water, breakfast, lunch) and the gas station's fee ($325). That's solid. That million-dollar effort pays for roughly three league fees. There's much more to pay for, but we'll get there. And we'll have fun doing it.

We need ALL of our Thunder at the Car Wash next Sunday (Dec. 22). I don't expect us to have this small a crew every time. We need everybody, especially since Sundays are busier than Saturdays.

WE LUB THIS GAME!!