01 / A NEW COUNTRY
One dream. A new beginning.
Praveen Rodrigo arrived in Canada from Sri Lanka with determination, hope, and a dream of building something of his own. He studied business at Okanagan College and graduated with a Business Diploma.
Every journey starts with a first step.
02 / AUTOMOTIVE SALES
The word that changed everything.
A sales position at Vernon Kia brought Praveen into the automotive world. He noticed that customers wanted more than a vehicle: they wanted it to look good, feel good, and feel new again. One word caught his attention—detailing. He researched products, stain removal, interior restoration, and how dealerships prepare vehicles for sale.
Curiosity became a calling.
03 / A TURNING POINT
An ending became a beginning.
When Praveen lost his sales job, a question kept returning: what if he started his own detailing business? He had no shop, investors, expensive equipment, or detailing van. With his brother, his girlfriend Nimasha, and his family beside him, he decided to take the first step.
What if I started my own detailing business?
04 / 2025 / THE FIRST DETAILS
One car. One vacuum. One dream.
A Toyota Corolla, basic tools, and a vacuum borrowed from his mother-in-law were the starting point. Praveen and his brother practised on his Corolla and his father-in-law’s vehicle. Every stain was a lesson; every finished vehicle was motivation. The Detailing Crew was born in 2025.
Small tools. An enormous amount of determination.
05 / THE FIRST CUSTOMERS
One customer became another.
Praveen advertised on Facebook Marketplace. Some days were busy; others were painfully quiet. Each vehicle brought another chance to learn. His sales experience helped him understand what dealerships and customers noticed: presentation, confidence, and value. Instead of waiting, he began knocking on dealership doors.
Opportunity starts with showing up.
06 / DOORS OPEN
The first dealership.
Swan Lake Motors in Vernon gave Praveen his first dealership opportunity. It was proof that a business started with a Corolla and a borrowed vacuum could grow. Opportunities followed with Vernon Volkswagen and Vernon Kia. Joe from Swan Lake Motors introduced him to Abe from Auction World in Kelowna.
A little business became part of the automotive industry.
07 / ACROSS THE OKANAGAN
The Corolla carried the dream.
The Corolla became The Detailing Crew’s first work vehicle, carrying supplies, chemicals, towels, and tools through Vernon, Coldstream, Kelowna, Lake Country, and beyond. There were vehicles to collect, vehicles to deliver, and another detail waiting down the road. When there was no proper workspace, Praveen worked in his driveway.
The next vehicle. The next town. The next step.
08 / A DIFFICULT WINTER
The cold didn’t stop the dream.
One winter day, the garden hose froze. Chemicals seemed to freeze almost as soon as they touched the vehicle. The weather did not wait for the business, and Praveen could not wait for perfect conditions. He kept working.
Sometimes you simply keep going.
09 / FEBRUARY 2026
From driveway to garage.
As the business grew, driveway work was no longer sustainable. Complaints and bylaw concerns meant the operation had to stop. Praveen cleaned up the garage and moved inside, but the space still brought operational and legal challenges. The next question was clear: where do we go from here?
The dream needed room to grow.
10 / ONE VEHICLE AT A TIME
259+ vehicles. Countless lessons.
At the time this story was written, Praveen had personally worked on more than 259 vehicles. Each represented a customer, a conversation, a challenge, a long day, or a late night. There were moments when he wondered whether the business would survive. He kept moving forward—and he was never alone.
Every vehicle was another step forward.
11 / THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE DREAM
Never built by one person alone.
Nimasha believed in the idea and helped carry the weight when income was not enough to cover Praveen’s expenses. His brother Vishal shaped the creative side through social media, video editing, and campaigns. Sachila, Nalin, Uncle Krishan, and Aiya Ojitha helped with deliveries, transport, and countless tasks behind the scenes.
Their names may not be on the sign. Their support is in every chapter.
12 / FAITH THROUGH THE JOURNEY
Faith. Family. Hard work.
Through job loss, financial struggles, freezing temperatures, setbacks, and new opportunities, Praveen gives credit to God Almighty, Jesus Christ. He believes God opened doors and gave him strength to keep going. For him, The Detailing Crew is a testimony of faith, perseverance, family, and hard work.
Strength for the next step.
13 / A HOME OF OUR OWN
And then came the shop.
After driveways, winter work, and a garage, Praveen found a commercial space—a real home for The Detailing Crew. The team cleaned, built, improved, and made it their own. They were transforming more than a building: they were giving a physical home to a dream that began with a Corolla and a borrowed vacuum.
We actually did it.
14 / THE NEXT CHAPTER
We’re just getting started.
Today, The Detailing Crew proudly serves the Okanagan. From Sri Lanka to Canada, from a Business Diploma to automotive sales, from a job loss to hundreds of vehicles, and from a driveway to a shop of our own—the mission remains the same. Bring vehicles back to life.
Bringing Your Drive Back to Life.
