Some people talk about attention to detail.
Reed Askey lives it.
I first met Reed on the crit race circuit years ago. He wasn’t the loudest guy on the start line, but he was always there — putting in the effort, chasing points, and showing up even when his team had already moved up. Over time we worked together, eventually convincing him to join The Last Drop. That’s when I learned just how much pride he takes in his craft.
I’ve met many detailers. Reed is the rare one who spends more time on a job than is financially “worth it” because the result matters more than the clock. His work ethic is closer to a master tailor or shoemaker than to the rushed, volume-driven detailing you see everywhere else. When the opportunity came for him to leave his corporate job, I nudged him toward it — because I knew this was what he was meant to be doing.
The Path to Purpose
Reed’s journey into detailing didn’t start as a business plan. It started as a passion project — a way to spend more time around cars.
“I was working a 9-5 corporate job managing a team of 20+ people. I had over 14 years in that company, but they were about to make massive changes that didn’t line up with my values. Once they removed the autonomy, I had to think hard about what leaving would bring me.”
While juggling two jobs, he began to notice how drained he felt. One day, after finishing a detail in the sun, he saw the customer’s reaction — blown away, grateful, already leaving a glowing Google review.
“That feeling of genuine appreciation stuck with me. It made me proud of what I do — and I wanted more of that.”
A Mindset Built on Self-Belief
Leaving the corporate world wasn’t easy. Reed wrestled with the decision for months, weighing pros and cons.
“We’re our own worst critics. I try to be kinder to myself now — talk to myself like I would to a best friend. I wouldn’t say half the things I used to tell myself to a friend, so why say them to myself?”
That shift — believing in himself even when it was uncomfortable — is what pushed him to go all in on Throwback Auto Detailing.
Defining Progress
For Reed, progress isn’t just about revenue.
“It’s continued customer happiness, finding quicker or better ways to do things, and seeing referrals and repeat customers.”
He’s currently exploring a partnership with a local motorbike shop — another way to grow through relationships and trust.
The Plain Pillars
Impact First
“There are lots of detailers in the area. I’ll message them with encouragement or questions about their process. Letting them know you’re not competition makes it easier to work together.”
Identity is Earned
“Customer service has always been up my alley. From easygoing customers to tough ones, those experiences helped me create genuine connections and build trust quickly.”
Small Bets, Big Ideas
“I didn’t have much leadership experience when I landed a management job. Ten years later, it taught me self-awareness, accountability, and emotional intelligence.”
The Middle of the Journey
Reed admits it’s easy to forget he’s in the middle of his journey — not the beginning.
“Time goes by so fast and you’re still learning so much that it can feel new. But I’m proud of where I am and how far I’ve come. I’m just taking it one day and one customer at a time.”
If he could whisper something to someone about to start their own thing?
“Buy into yourself. Believe in yourself. Take the chance — even if it feels uncomfortable.”
Follow Reed: @throwbackautodetail
Book a detail: Book Now with Reed
Know someone building something quietly? Nominate them here → https://tally.so/r/3xEGGE
