 Mike Hall, Owner of The Spartanburg Review, spoke with James Mullins, owner of Showtime Window Tinting in Spartanburg! James has been tinting windows in Spartanburg for 20 years this year and loves the one on one connection he has with his customers. Read about James and his company below! TSR: Why did you choose this line of business? James, Owner/Operator Showtime Window Tinting: My Grandfather and I would always get together on Saturdays, you know, mow the lawn , work around the house, repair things, cars… it just kind of morphed into a way to remember him. TSR: What made you decide to start your own business vs. working for somebody else? James: I was working in my field, as a robot technician. The job market then was kind of in and out. I got laid off a few times, I said, I gotta find something to supplement my income. I would like to do something dealing with cars. TSR: Starting a business is a tough thing to do! What inspired you to keep going as you were getting it off the ground? James: I guess, as a kid, my dad told me, we had _____ we had to _____ everyday, like read for an hour, do that kind of stuff. It was drilled into me from like the third, fourth grade, failure is not an option. TSR: When would you really say your business went from a concept to actually functional ? James: I started it around 1992 just kind of working on detailing at my job, and working on tint for people at my job. For their spouse, my friends. It was’nt much about the pay it was just a hobby. It was just an interest I had, so I started learning about different polishes, so I started with {a national branded chain} just calling their service department, asking how does this work, why does it work, things like that. They started sending me different products to try. I actually got started in my mom’s garage. The official business really didn’t become key until maybe 1998/99….  TSR: Looking back, what was the most difficult challenge you faced right away?
James: Probably financing the overhead during the off season. The other thing would be the nay-sayers, the let down as far as dealerships. I had to tell myself, this just works. TSR: What do you enjoy the most about the Spartanburg communities your business takes care of? James: Basically, just watching it grow. I started out with doctors, lawyers, major companies sales reps, taking care of their vehicles, and I’ve seen the trend from older corporations, that generation growing older, they retire and their offspring stepping in so they are always trendy, you’d have to pick up another market. Local dealerships start out very small, now have grown to larger, and I’ve met those guys, and they just happen to be the sales guy or in service, and over the years I’ve done work for them, and now they are the GM. So, I grew with our community. TSR: If a potential customer has to pick from 3 different businesses providing what you provide, what would make your company really stand out, and them choose your company over the others? James: Mainly, the one on one, personal relationships I have had with my customers. I meet a customer, they are now my friend, I’m here to help them out. Verses just financing, trying to get their money, my years of expirence and dedication. I’m determined to make each customer unquestionably satisfied, whether I make a profit or not. TSR: Has internet technology played a big part in your growth, and making your company more successful? James: It has. If I were to start now, verse what I did years ago, it took me 10-12 years to do what the internet can do in two years. TSR: Where do you see your business in the few months we have left of 2018? James: Actually, I’m still learning, always bringing on new products. I would say continual improvement. (for instance) Ceramic coating…. It’s actually a product that is made of silicon dioxide, like a glass, phosphorus coating that shields paint, metal, plastic. It has UV protection, developed for aerodynamic technologies, and in the last five years has made it into the market. Basically, nothing actually sticks to it! Spray paint, graffiti, gasoline, degreasers, any kind of agent that would normally rip through the clear coat… and it repels it. It lasts for 7 years! If it’s double coated, it’s guaranteed for life. TSR: What is it about your team players that contributes to your company's overall public perception? James: I do outsource some, with others in our community. We work really well as a team to get stuff done. TSR: Thinking back to day one, can you think of anything you may have done differently to overcome challenges, and to meet your business goals in a more efficient amount of time? James: Maybe I could have had a better business plan. But things were so unpredictable, gas prices, the rising costs of petroleum, but the school of hard knocks is a good teacher! TSR: Where do you see your business in the next 3-5 years? James: Probably adding two more shops. One in NC, and maybe another shop in SC. James' shop is located at 9 Old Blackstock Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29301, and the phone number is 864-809-2805 You can also visit his Facebook page to see some of his work as well! So, if you need car window tinting in Spartanburg, check out Showtime Window Tinting and let James take care of you!
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