OUR story.
MAKING CARS ART ONE PRODUCT AT A TIME
OUR STORY
From a mistake to a mission.
When I first came up with the idea of selling car parts, it all started in the summer of 2022. I ordered a pair of door projectors for myself but didn’t check my car beforehand. My Audi didn’t have factory-installed door lights, so the projectors couldn’t be used. Instead of letting them go to waste, I decided to sell them in a Facebook group called Audiholics — and they sold immediately.
Encouraged by the quick sale and drawing from my prior business ventures, I ordered more — and that’s how PuddleLights was born.
On September 16th, 2022, My company was officially registered, and by December, Carholics came to life.
*Fun fact. September 16th, 2024 was the day we launched QuickPlate internationally.. What a coincidence?
- This photo was taken moments before selling the first PuddleLights.
FIRST YEAR OF BUSINESS
HUSTLING TUNING PARTS
In the first year of business (2023), I didn’t produce any products myself. Instead, I imported high-demand items like PuddleLights, Starlight Kits, and car body parts. To ensure fast, quality service, partnerships were made with two of Finland’s biggest tuning shops.
While balancing school, I worked tirelessly to grow Carholics from a one-man operation into one of the largest tuning parts shops in Europe. Little did I know, the next year would see Carholics with the smallest catalogue ever.
- You can see I had made my DIY Magnet holders and Niilo had double sided tapes.
Second year of business
OUR FIRST STEP TO MANUFACTURING
2024 was a challenging year, but all the hard work finally began to pay off. I launched Carholics’ first in-house product, PushLocks — a quick-release license plate holder designed for Audi honeycomb grilles. It was the best of its kind, but I knew Carholics needed something even bigger to stand out.
Then, in April, inspiration struck, and I began designing a universal magnetic license plate holder: QuickPlate. I wasn’t concerned about existing competition — I was determined to create the best product possible, just as I had done with PushLocks.
- These blocks were the first version of QuickPlate. So much has changed...
THE TURNING POINT
HARD WORK ALWAYS PAYS OFF
On June 26th, 2024, QuickPlate was launched exclusively for Finnish customers. At that point, I didn’t even have proper product packaging ready, but I prioritized getting real feedback from customers and partners. Their ideas and suggestions helped me make dozens of improvements to the product and its design.
On September 16th, QuickPlate was officially launched worldwide, and the reception exceeded every expectation. It sold out immediately, competitors lost their minds, and I knew something special had begun.
At the turn of the year, I got some much-needed help, and since then we’ve been running everything as a two-man team — handling everything from customer service and sales to website development, production, product design, and shipping.
Even though we knew we had the best product on the market, we’ve continued to invest heavily in product development.
Carholics and QuickPlate are living proof of what persistence, creativity, and giving back to the community can achieve.
Markus Alapuranen
Founder & CEO, Carholics