Detail Driven
How Nick Gibson Turned Passion Into a Powerhouse
At just 12 years old, Nick Gibson’s passion for making things shine was already beginning to take shape. While most kids were simply riding their bikes, Nick was carefully applying Armor All to the tires of his BMX, customizing the frame with spray paint and pinstripes. It was more than a hobby—it was the spark of something greater.
Professionally, that spark ignited when Nick was 19, working as a lot porter at a local dealership. The job called for quick, basic washes—just enough to make a car look clean for the lot. But Nick saw something more. Instead of sticking to the script, he taught himself the art of detailing. Meticulous in his approach, he began transforming vehicles with a level of care and attention that didn’t go unnoticed.
Before long, fellow employees were handing him $40 during his lunch break to detail their personal cars. What started as a favor among coworkers quickly gained momentum. Customers in the service drive began asking specifically for Nick to detail their cars—even though the dealership didn’t offer that service.
Word spread. Side jobs started stacking up on weekends. And while Nick continued to rise through the dealership ranks, eventually landing in the parts department, something bigger was calling.
Still, like many aspiring entrepreneurs, fear held him back. For over a year, Nick wrestled with the idea of going full-time with his own business. The security of a regular paycheck was tempting—but so was the vision of building something for himself.
Finally, with $800 saved from side jobs, Nick bought professional-grade supplies and made the leap. When he told his boss about his plan, his direct supervisor was supportive—but the dealership owner scoffed. He laughed and told Nick he wasn’t cut out to run a business.
What happened next turned that doubt into fuel.
Without skipping a beat, Nick walked out of the owner’s office and went straight to the used car manager. There, he pitched himself as the solution to the dealership’s subcontracted detailing work. They said yes.
The very next day, Nick collected a check—with the dealership owner’s signature on it.
That moment was more than symbolic—it was a declaration. One that said Nick Gibson wasn’t just ready to run a business. He was built for it.
Over the years, Nick’s love for vehicles has only deepened. “I’ve always enjoyed restorations of classic cars and making an old rusted-out shell into something new again,” he says. “But not everyone can—or wants to—invest six figures and wait years to experience that rebirth. I’ve found detailing and customization provide the same joy and excitement in a shorter and much more affordable way.”
That insight has become the heartbeat of Detail Driven. “People always have a moment when they’re in love with their car—usually when they first get it,” Nick explains. “Bringing that joy back to people does the same for me. It’s personal. It’s fulfilling.”
For years, Nick built his brand as a mobile detailer, working with some of the most elite vehicles in the region—from Ferrari to Lamborghini and everything in between. His reputation for precision and passion set him apart.
“We started offering mobile detailing before eventually adding ceramic coating services,” Nick says. “And half of my customers would constantly ask about window tint and vinyl wrap services. After years of referring them to local shops, I made the leap to get a shop of my own and recruit installers I had befriended in the industry.”
That leap led to the opening of Nick’s beautiful new facility in El Dorado Hills—now the headquarters of Detail Driven. Today, the shop offers a full suite of services including:
Premium detailing
Ceramic coatings (automotive, solar, and residential/commercial)
Window tinting (automotive, residential, and commercial)
Color change vinyl wraps
Paint protection film (ClearBra)
Chrome deletes (blackout kits)
General restyling and customization
Pre-purchase inspections
Vehicle sales and consignment
“We don’t offer repairs,” Nick clarifies, “but anything that falls under the restyling category, we specialize in.”
And now, Detail Driven has taken another bold step forward—recently teaming up with McLaren as an authorized dealer to provide high-quality detailing products and accessories. This partnership solidifies Detail Driven’s reputation not just as a trusted name in the local scene, but as a nationally recognized leader in automotive care and customization.
Beyond the polish and paintwork, what keeps Nick going is the community around him. “I stay motivated by the regular conversations I have with experienced veterans and newer members of the automotive community who trust me for consultations and advice,” he shares. “The brotherhood and friendships I’ve built with folks from all over the world have been priceless. I’m honored to be considered an authority—not only to high-profile automotive collectors and manufacturers—but in the detailing industry as a whole.”
Detail Driven isn’t just a detailing business—it’s an experience. It’s where craftsmanship meets customization, and where clients rediscover what made them fall in love with their car in the first place.
Nick Gibson’s story is a powerful reminder that passion, persistence, and the willingness to bet on yourself can transform even the smallest beginnings into a legacy. And for Nick, this is just the beginning.
