Indy car wash biz earns high ranking

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - In these tough economic times where companies are downsizing, an Indianapolis business has managed to make their employees a top priority. The Wall Street Journal named the Indianapolis-based Mike's Car Wash Company as one of the country's top 15 small businesses to work.

The company earned the reputation for top service by hiring people and keeping them happy on the job.

"Your company is going to be just as successful as the people waiting on customers," said Bill Dahm, President and CEO of Mike's Car Wash.

Dahm said getting the family-owned business in Indiana started early.

"My father built the first car wash in the state of Indiana," said Dahm.

Sixty-one years later, Mike's are in 37 locations in Indiana and Ohio.

At each shop, Dahm said employees are trained to give top notch service.

"We go through 100 people to find one person that we feel that is cut out for that customer service experience," said Dahm.

Employees who stay on the job are also given incentives. Dahm said the company gives tuition reimbursement to employees who work more than 20 hours a week and go to college.

"We are really committed to training and making sure that they like what they are doing," said Dahm.

The employees confirm that the emphasis is on the customer.

"They teach you, certainly, that it's all about the customers -- we just happen to wash cars," said Assistant Manager David Lawrence.

"They care about what they do. They care about their job, they want to give good service. Most people today just want to make money. Mike's actually care about the quality and what you car looks like when you walk out," said Felicia Williams of Indianapolis.

Mike's employs 261 full-time and 352 part-time employees.

They are also rewarded every month with a profit sharing check for team work and productivity.