Thomas John Rowland didn’t take a traditional route into the automotive detailing world. With early roots in a family-run childcare centre, years of hands-on experience, and a strong connection to sport and community, his story is a reminder that skills come from unexpected places—and hard work has a way of transferring across industries.
We sat down with Thomas to talk about his journey, lessons learnt, and what it’s really like working in the detailing trade today.
Q: Tell us a bit about where your career started. Was automotive work always the goal?
Thomas Rowland: Not at all. I actually started out helping my family. They ran a childcare centre, and I was in charge of maintenance—fixing things, cleaning, just keeping everything running. Later, I even worked as an assistant teacher with the kids.
I never planned to go into that long-term, but it taught me a lot. Responsibility, patience, how to stay calm when things get loud and chaotic. Funny enough, all of that comes in handy at a detailing shop too.
Q: So how did you move from childcare to cars? That’s quite a jump.
Thomas Rowland: My first job outside the family business was as a porter at a car dealership. I was the guy moving cars, washing them, keeping the lot in shape. Nothing fancy, but I loved being around the cars.
I used to watch the detailing crew closely. They didn’t just clean—they transformed vehicles. That stuck with me. After some time away, I ended up back in the automotive world, but this time detailing full-time.
Q: What was it about detailing that clicked for you?
Thomas Rowland: It’s the hands-on part. There’s something satisfying about making a car look brand new again. You can see the progress with every step. But it’s also about focus. Detailing forces you to notice the little things. You can’t rush it if you want to do it right.
Q: What does a typical workday look like for you now?
Thomas Rowland: Depends on the day, honestly. Sometimes it’s full interior jobs—getting crumbs out of carpets, restoring leather seats. Other days it’s exteriors—polishing, clay barring, paint correction. I handle a mix of jobs, and often I help with other shop tasks too. There’s always something to do.
Q: Do any past experiences help you in the job today?
Thomas Rowland: Absolutely. Working at the childcare centre taught me to take pride in the small stuff. If you clean a classroom, it has to be spotless. That mindset carried over. Also, working with kids gave me more patience than most people I know. That helps when you’re stuck trying to get dog hair out of car seats for 45 minutes!
Q: Speaking of dog hair—you’re known to be a dog lover. Does that play into your work life too?
Thomas Rowland: Oh yeah. I love animals. I’ve volunteered with Second Chance Ranch, and I support the ASPCA. A lot of customers have dogs, so I totally get it when their cars are covered in fur. I don’t judge—I just get to work. I’ve got my own tricks for it now.
Q: You were also a standout youth soccer player. Has sport influenced your work ethic?
Thomas Rowland: No question. I played above my age level for years, often on teams coached by my dad. I was usually the youngest, so I had to learn fast and work harder just to keep up. That discipline stuck with me. You show up, do your job, and don’t cut corners.
Q: How do you think the detailing industry has changed over the years?
Thomas Rowland: People expect more now. They want the job done fast, but also done well. You can’t just run a hose over a car and call it detailed. It’s become more specialised. The products have improved, tools have changed, but expectations are higher too. You’ve got to keep up or you get left behind.
Q: What’s the hardest part of the job?
Thomas Rowland: It’s physical work. Long hours on your feet. And in summer, it gets hot. Really hot. Some cars come in in rough shape, and you’ve got to stay motivated. But I like the challenge. Every job is different, and that keeps it interesting.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
Thomas Rowland: Seeing the final result. When a car comes in dirty and leaves looking showroom-new—that feels good. And when a customer sees it and says, “Wow,” that’s the best part. It’s simple, but satisfying.
Q: What advice would you give someone thinking of getting into automotive detailing?
Thomas Rowland: Be ready to work. It’s not glamorous, and it’s not always easy, but if you care about what you’re doing, it shows. Don’t cut corners. Pay attention to the details. That’s how you build a reputation.
Q: Where do you see yourself going next in your career?
Thomas Rowland: I just want to keep getting better. Maybe manage my own team someday. I like helping others learn the craft. But mostly, I just want to keep doing solid work and stay consistent. That’s what matters to me.
Thomas Rowland’s journey is a reminder that career paths don’t need to be linear to be meaningful. His blend of early life experience, work ethic, and pride in his craft makes him a standout in a trade that often gets overlooked. Whether working on a paint correction or cleaning out a backseat full of pet hair, he does it all with focus—and a lot of heart.