A North Salem High School and Pace University graduate has officially launched Professor Detail Auto Care, a premium mobile auto detailing business serving customers throughout the Hudson Valley.
With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping the global workforce, 23 -year-old entrepreneur Peter Rossi chose to step away from a traditional white-collar career in marketing to pursue a skilled trade he believes is nearly impossible to automate: professional auto detailing. Rossi’s decision reflects a broader Gen Z shift toward trade work.
According to a recent ResumeBuilder survey, 42% of Gen Z respondents are currently working in or pursuing a skilled trade, with more than one-third holding bachelor’s degrees. A separate survey by Zety found that 65% of young workers believe a college degree won’t protect them from AI-related job loss.
“AI is fundamentally changing how Gen Z views their long-term careers,” Rossi said. “Every decision now ends with, ‘Will this line of work still exist a decade from now?’
“No algorithm can feel the difference between a paint imperfection and a clearcoat surface, or know when you’re applying too much pressure with a buffer. This work requires a human touch, judgment, and years of skill development.”
Professor Detail Auto Care offers auto care delivered directly to customers’ homes or workplaces. Services include interior and exterior detailing, paint correction, and ceramic coatings. Operating as a fully mobile service eliminates the inconvenience of traditional detailing shops while delivering professional-grade results.
Rossi has designed and built a fully mobile workshop inside a Chevy Express cargo van. The van is equipped with a 75-gallon water tank, a water filter, full plumbing, an air compressor and a 3,500-watt generator. These features are designed to make the car wash process as seamless and convenient as possible for customers.
Built on Rossi’s lifelong passion for cars, Professor Detail Auto Care prides itself on restoring vehicles to showroom condition while ensuring every service is performed safely and correctly, without compromising the integrity of the vehicle.
While attending Pace University, he launched Pete’s Sac-O-Suds Mobile Car Detailing, which built a loyal local following through community Facebook groups in Katonah and Lewisboro. Rossi graduated from Pace University Summa Cum Laude and worked for a marketing agency in New York City for one year before returning to his passion for auto detailing.
“The feeling of building something of your own is just so fulfilling,” he said. “Waking up every day knowing that every decision made, you are in total control of. I have always wanted to pursue a career in the automotive industry. I love cars. Always have. And always will.”
