The car that Derrick Copes drives around town shows his official business name: "Best Hands Mobile Detailing."For Copes, the word "dope" means something great.But back in the day, "dope" had a different meaning for him.Dealing drugs got him arrested and locked up twice doing two separate stints that lasted five years. Prison, though, is where he had an awakening and the time to make a plan surrounding his passion.
"The first time I detailed a car, I cleaned my personal car. It took like five hours," he said. "And it was the best five hours of my life. I got lost in what I was doing. I wasn't worried about anything. I wasn't stressed. I wasn't depressed." Paying it forward-- just like he does with other ex-felons. Copes gives them free advice and mentorship to help them get where he is. He also founded the organization,The organization provides support and includes a number of people who have also turned their lives around through the car detailing business.His encouragement is only matched by his innovation, proof of which can be found in the small car he drives around town that he personally engineered to be able to wash multiple cars.