The EKJ Journey
2018 – The Beginning
July: Our founder, Wayne "Sinbad" Atkins, turns his lifelong passion into a business, opening EKJ Auto Valet on the family driveway in Bilsthorpe.
September: The demand for quality is immediate. EKJ goes mobile with a fully kitted VW Caddy, serving the Mansfield area
2019 – Growth & Demand
February: Word of mouth spreads. The business grows to a three-month waiting list for its services.
July: To help manage the high demand, my brother Cameron joins the business part-time
2021 – A New Chapter in Ellesmere Port
November 4th: Following in my dad's footsteps, I, Kyle Atkins, open a new branch in Ellesmere Port, starting with just my personal equipment from the back of a Nissan Juke. My mission is simple: "to take something dirty and transform it into something to be proud of".
November 12th: The Big Break: A single valet posted on the "Pride In The Port" Facebook page generates a month's worth of bookings in one day. We never looked back.
December: Our first website goes live to handle the growing interest.
2022 – Perseverance & A Son's Promise
February 4th: Our world is turned upside down by the sudden passing of my dad, Wayne, at the age of 55. He was my biggest inspiration, and it became my job to carry on what he created.
March 4th: In his honor, we detail our first luxury car: an Aston Martin DB9.
April: My brother Cameron takes over the original EKJ, and I purchase our first dedicated van for the Ellesmere Port branch, securing the private registration BO55 EKJ.
June: We hit our first major milestone: 50 five-star reviews!
August: My eldest son, Ellis, begins helping on weekends, marking the third generation of family involvement
2023 – Mastering the Craft
March: I become an Accredited Detailer with Infinity Wax, allowing us to offer professional-grade ceramic coatings.
June: We celebrate our 100th five-star review.
July: The success of our ceramic coatings leads to the opening of our first dedicated detailing studio in Ellesmere Port.
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2024 – A New Home for EKJ
August: We get the keys to our new, larger Car Detailing Studio in Bromborough, on The Wirral.
September: Our new studio opens full-time. I complete a two-day course to become a Rupes Certified & Accredited Machine Polishing Technician.
October: The business officially rebrands to EKJ Valeting & Detailing to reflect our expertise, as we celebrate 200 reviews.
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2025 – The Specialist's Focus
May: We make the strategic decision to sell our mobile valeting service, allowing us to focus exclusively on providing the highest standard of specialist care from our studio.
June: We achieve our second major accreditation with CarPro, allowing us to offer a premium-plus range of ceramic coatings. My son Ellis officially joins the business for his first job, securing the family legacy for the future.
Our Story: A Legacy of Craftsmanship
Cars have always been a part of our family. It started with watching my dad, Wayne "Sinbad" Atkins, lovingly polish his fast Fords, and it grew into a shared passion. EKJ is more than a business; it's the continuation of that legacy, built on the values he taught me: honest, hard work and an unwavering commitment to quality over quantity. This is our story.
Our Promise, In His Memory
My dad showed me what can be achieved with honest, hard work. It is my job to carry on that legacy for our customers and our community. I would be extremely happy to talk about the man who made me the person I am today. Sleep easy dad, we've got this. 💛💙
✓ Meticulous, Certified Craftsmanship
✓ A Legacy of Trust & Integrity
✓ Long-Term Investment Protection