Starting a Business out of..Passion

I am seriously considering starting a tinting business. I can't tint, but I can definately hire people who can over here. I am passionate about cars, from the tyres to the engine oil and to tints even. Why tints? Because I don't have sufficient knowledge to start a workshop, and hiring a foreman 10x more difficult than hiring tint installers.

Over here we have solar tints that start at USD$28 for the entire car, all the way to security tints that costs USD$1500. Regulations here specify 70% VLT for the front windscreen and 50% for the rest. Among the reasons I wish to start the business:

1. It is really sunny here, its a tropical country, a good window film makes a world of difference.
2. To educate consumers about window films and tints. (Over here nobody quotes TSER, they claim their solar films are superior based on construction, brand, VLT, IR% and UV%)
3. To ensure my customers car is completely legal to be on the road when they leave my showroom. (this means VLT meters to ensure glass+film does not violate regulations)
4. To spell out my after-sales warranty and support and actually live up to it. No hassle, no delay, no excuses. I aim to achieve 100% customer satisfaction.

I don't intend to cover every budget segment, but instead, focus on USD$250 and above (entire car, compact). And carrying products with good bang-to-buck ratio (TSER:$:warranty)

One major player over here is V-Kool, and that same company is the exclusive sole distributor for Huper Optik and Solar Gard as well. The problem with them is that, there are a lot dealers/shops outside claiming to carry V-Kool but in actual fact they are using films that mimic the appearance of V-Kool, and due to this, V-Kool no longer guarantees its film's authenticity, even when you're an authorized dealer and they advise patrons to go to their own outlets. Thus, it makes no sense to carry their film although they are #1 over here as at the end of the day they only want business for themselves. LLumar has a sole distributor here but I know that it's going to cost me as the profit margin is going to be razer thin and given the competition against their own outlets.

To start off I intend to carry 3M, which is quite a big brand by itself, and they don't do any tinting services thus no conflict of interest and they appoint dealers via zoning. And I am also looking for recommendations for window films I should carry given the VLT restrictions. I am very sincere and serious in starting this business and I hope to hear from experienced members from TD for your input, regardless if its good, bad or ugly.

you might want to check out Geoshield. Good numbers on the IRis70 film and they say it will go on a car good too.....

Best idea is to learn to do it, it would be horrible to be booked up and have a person not show, and not be able to get all the work done that day.
You learn how to do it, then you can step in when you have a no-call, no-show and keep the Customers happy.

Hi Davidbrain,

Would you mind turning your brain "on" before you begin typing?

DON"T START A BUSINESS. Economy is bad, Wait be patient. If your doing this for a hobby get a business license and resale number and do the car thing out of your house. Sema and CES was down by 50% or more.

But, if you're still going to start. DO YOUR DILIGENCE. 3M doesn't make there film, you might as well buy Sun Tek. Do you understand? Do what makes sense. Brands doesn't sell itself-you do!
Sell yourself not the brand, your customers will not remember the brand, but remember the face they spoke too.
V-Kool or the IR films do corrode the high humidity they will tell you it doesn't if you edge seal it, but will still corrode. Your in TROPICAL CLIMATE! Ceramics is not an IR film, but a fancy neutral film with a nice name. Huper Optics(low budget V-Kool)dealers get confused all the time. Oh, and HUPER is not made in GERMANY. Try Singapore like so expensive V-Kool or some little asian country.
In the end know the truth about films. AND SELL YOURSELF

Passion, commitment and principles dominate a successfull business. If you are passionate about tinting, committed to your vision and basing your business on solid principles important to you, then go get it. If not, step back, re-evaluate your motivation for starting this business and generate the proper strategies for being sucessfull. Too many individuls see the tinting industry as an easy money maker, however if you are not passionate and committed, you will fail and insult all the other committed individuals in the industry along the way. Good luck and prioritize your goals!

I disagree. I do have a passion for the window tinting industry, but not tinting. In fact I dont really like doing installs. I dont hate it, and I produce correct and clean installs, but my passion is the selling aspect of the business. There is nothing, to me, more gratifying than selling a product to a consumer. I do most all the sales, and ALL the installs for my business (right now anyway). I am committed, just not to the actual tinting. I started doing side work and gradually started my own company full time almost 2 years ago, and while working for someone else, I hated doing the work. Now, the install part of it justifies the accomplishment of the sale.