TAMPA – The Nault Center for Entrepreneurship will host Don Phillips, founder of Woodie’s Wash Shack, on Oct. 7 at the USF Tampa campus as part of the Conversation with a Founder speaker series.
The local entrepreneur will share with students what it means to transform a mundane task into an “epic” experience with a retro feel that transports customers to an "oasis of fun." The company's brand embodies the classic "Woodie surf wagons" — the wood-paneled station wagons that became synonymous with Southern California's surf culture in the 1950s and 60s.
Phillips opened the first location in 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida and has since expanded the express car wash business to over 16 locations in the Tampa Bay region.
Woodie's Wash Shacks have also earned several local "Best of" awards in the car wash category. It was named “Best Car Wash of South Tampa” by Tampa Magazine for two consecutive years, and “Best Car Wash” in the “Best of the Best” awards by the Tampa Bay Times.
The business also has more than 70,000 Google reviews and a rating of 4.8 or higher — second only to Busch Gardens in the Tampa Bay area.
With more than 25 years of continued commitment to operational excellence and prioritizing collaborations that create lasting value, Phillips has emerged as a community leader.
“Don is just a natural at doing deals and putting high-quality, win-win deals together,” said colleague Bret Bocook, CEO at World's Law, Inc. “Don is always out in front of the crowd, seeing trends years in advance. His word is gold and his friendship, too.”
Students will have the opportunity to meet and network with recruiters starting at 1 p.m., as well as take photos with one of Woodie's signature classic cars. The fireside chat with Phillips begins at 2 p.m., moderated by Allen Clary, executive director of the Nault Center, and will feature an open Q&A.
Attendees will learn about the business-building power of creating a head-turning brand, exceptional customer experiences, rapid expansion and extraordinary community engagement.
Learn more and register to attend at usf.to/carwash.