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Diana Balboni is an outlier in the business of professional automobile detailing. She owns and operates N2 Details, a type of business where you’ll rarely find women sharing their passion for polishing, waxing, and detailing fine automobiles. For over 30 years, Diana honed her interpersonal relationship skills in retail jobs, and finally, she retired from a civilian government job in late 2014. There would be no resting on her laurels. Within a week, she turned her beloved hobby of detailing cars into a small business. She invested in detail training from past Cars Yeah guest, Renny Doyle of Detailing Success, and she is also a ‘made woman’ of the infamous Detail Mafia, who are leaders and mentors to younger detailers across the country. Diana is also a certified member of the International Detailing Association, (IDA) holding an advanced Skills Validated certification as well. Her expertise has not gone unnoticed as she has secured a coveted spot on the US Air Force One Detailing Team!
SHOW SPONSORS
Covercraft • MetronGarage • Bonanza • Christopher Kimball Financial Services
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
The word can’t isn’t in the dictionary. – Diane’s mother
CAREER & LIFE CHALLENGES
In 1979 or 1980, I was at Edwards Air Force Base in the middle of the Mojave Desert. It was about 30 miles to the nearest town, which was Lancaster. Because of that, jobs were scarce. I was able to get a temporary civilian job with the Air Force. I had no retirement, benefits, etc. I was moved around quite a bit as a temporary worker, and would only spend only about 6 months in each position. My first position was with the F-15 squadron. I was able to see exciting things including Stan Barrett break the sound barrier in Hal Needham’s car. From there, I was moved to the scheduling office where I helped schedule military aircraft. From there I was able to see the Columbia Space Shuttle return to earth from space. We were able to listen to the pilot say he was over Hawaii, to over the state line of California, to when he was over the base. It was pretty incredible!
FIRST SPECIAL VEHICLE
I had a 1964 Chevrolet Impala that was two-toned blue and white. It was an all metal, heavy car, that I owned in 1982. I traded in a Honda Civic with no air conditioning for it. I drove it barely outside of California, and I felt something on my foot. I stopped my car to check on it, and it was oil that was leaking onto my foot. Of course, it was during the middle of the night, and we were fortunate to find someone who referred us to another person who repaired it.
BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVICE
Make sure you always change the oil in your car.
Be careful about products of equipment you buy to detail your car. Not all new products are the greatest.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
John Miller’s Blog TOGWT (The Old Gray Whistle Test)
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
How To Win Friends And Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.
Find a mentor to help you along the way.
SHARE THE INSPIRATION
Your opinion matters and I will greatly appreciate your support.
If you enjoyed this show, please go to Apple Podcast and leave me a five-star review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and help others to be inspired by Cars Yeah.
Hello Diane;
I read your story on the Cars Yeah website. I have a detail business myself and I am kind of at a little bit of a stand still. I want to advance myself and my skills . I was wondering if you would have any advice of a good direction to go. Thank you for your time , Lisa
I’m sure Diana would be happy to help. You can contact her through her business.