Joy Harvey has turned her passion for clean cars into Harvey’s Detail Connection in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With a full spectrum of vehicle detailing services, Joy serves both public and business clients, aiming to become Tulsa’s premier mobile car wash and detailing service. But her journey has been far from ordinary.

“Harvey’s Detail Connection started as a way to manage my ADHD and cope with the grief of losing my grandmother,” Joy said. “Detailing gave me a way to control my emotions and provided instant gratification.”

Her hobby soon evolved into a mission. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Joy noticed young people in her neighborhood were out of school and aimless.

“I saw an opportunity to offer them work through my services,” she said. “Kids have always gravitated toward me, and this gave me a chance to pour into them, show them different things, and introduce them to new opportunities.”

This spirit of giving back is at the heart of Harvey’s Detail Connection. The company operates with a clear mission, embodied by the acronym H.A.R.V.E.Y.: Hire Accountable Resilient Visionaries while Empowering Youth. Joy’s vision is about creating second chances.

“I actively seek out people with felony records and tell them, ‘You’re perfect for my company,’” Joy said. “It’s rewarding to give people a second chance and show them a new pathway in life.”

Despite her strong passion, Joy faced challenges in managing her business. Seeking support, she joined the Build in Tulsa program, including the W.E. Build initiative for women entrepreneurs. Through the program, she secured a $25,000 grant, unlocking resources she had never accessed before.

It was during this time that Joy met Isaiah Coleman, Founding Director of CDFI Friendly Tulsa, who connected her with the Entrepreneurship Team at Communities Unlimited (CU). Shortly after, she began working with CU Senior Management Consultant James Custer.

“I absolutely love working with James — he’s like my right-hand man when it comes to my business,” Joy said.

Initially seeking a loan for working capital, Joy was candid about her disorganized books and larger struggles with financial management.

James stepped in to help, starting with a minimum essential family budget to determine the income Joy needed. Together, they analyzed her services, cut unprofitable ones, and adjusted pricing to ensure profitability.

“James helped me slow down, analyze my finances, and figure out how to pay myself properly,” Joy said. “He also taught me to stop dipping into business funds for personal expenses. It’s been a game-changer.”

James introduced Joy to forecasting, which she now uses to guide decisions like launching her Harvey’s Detail product line.

“I had no idea what forecasting was before,” she said. “It’s been a huge learning experience for me.”

These changes have transformed her business. With a revised pricing structure and clear financial projections, Joy has gained control over her finances and built a solid foundation for growth.

Her efforts are paying off. Harvey’s Detail Connection recently secured contracts with local businesses, including the Hyatt Hotels and Goodies Catering, with a third contract in the works. These partnerships represent a major step forward in achieving her goal of becoming Tulsa’s go-to mobile detailing service.

Joy praised James and CU for helping her elevate her business and build personal wealth.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Joy is set to continue growing Harvey’s Detail Connection.

“Joy has been great to work with,” Custer said. “She has asked excellent questions and has been proactive about finding ways to build on our work together. Working with Joy has been a truly collaborative experience that shows what we can achieve with the entrepreneurs we assist.”