Angela-inez Gilham was just 14 years old when she and her family set sail for a one-year adventure through the Intracoastal Waterway. Spanning 3,000 miles, the waterway was more than a route for Gilham and her family.
It was a gateway into deeper family connections and a future career path.
3,000 Miles of Memories
“My parents gave me and my brother that experience,” Gilham says. “As an adult, I appreciate it even more because it’s just something that not many people do. As my brother and I have gotten older, we’ve talked about that trip and shared memories.”
More than two decades later, Gilham is the Owner/Operator of Elite Marine Protection in Tacoma, Wash. The fully-mobile company specializes in serving the boating segment, installing paint protection film (PPF) and ceramic coatings.
“Boats connected me and my dad,” says Gilham, who founded her company in 2015. “We have very little in common, but he’s obsessed with boats. He’s a part of a yacht club. It’s the one thing that connects us together. Being able to work on boats and talk to my dad about it—there’s a spark between the two of us.”
Traversing Washington State in a metallic black 2011 Ford Expedition, Gilham says she’s willing to travel ‘anywhere.’
“The best part about working on boats is being on the water,” shares Gilham. “We live in a beautiful state. It doesn’t matter if it’s a rainy day—there’s always something beautiful about it.”
Gilham recently embarked on a two-hour journey North from Tacoma, Wash., to Anacortes, Wash., for a project.
“I love getting to a job at 7 a.m.,” she says with a smile. “The water is still. There’s birds, seals, and otters. You hear nearby cities wake up. I love appreciating the small things.”
Gilham’s Industry Start
An industry veteran of more than a decade, Gilham is Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified. She transitioned to full-time work with boats in 2015 after honing her automotive installation skills.
“I worked at body shops, starting as a detailer,” Gilham says. “But boats? Boats are where it’s at.”
Autobahn Dealer Gilham installs Autobahn Incognito Paint Protection Film (PPF) and Autobahn Nautik, two products suitable for the sea.
“Incognito works better than some of the other films I’ve used on boats,” Gilham says. “My installations focus on high-impact places. We look at upper brows, lower brows, and hard tops. We also look at the exhaust areas of the hull.”
As far as ceramic coatings, Gilham says she’s observed a market shift.
“About four years ago, I was able to convert 80% of my clientele base from waxes to ceramic coatings,” Gilham says. “I still offer waxes, and a lot of people are dead set on that. But ceramic coatings are getting much bigger in the area.”
The 2024 Dealer Conference
Hosted at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Wash., Autobahn’s 2024 Dealer Conference spanned from March 4-6, 2024. The gathering offered members of the dealer network an opportunity to connect, network, and grow together.
“It was in my backyard, basically,” says Gilham, who made the 10-minute drive to LeMay – America’s Car Museum. “I didn’t realize how big this industry is until three or four years ago. This conference felt personable. It didn’t feel like a battle. No one was trying to one up anyone. Everyone was there to support and encourage each other.”
Dealer Conference Recap