Written by Brian Budnar, Owner of iTint in Greenville, S.C.; Edited by Chris Collier, Director of Communications at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge
How do I survive and diversify during the slow season?
It’s a topic that comes around every single year. And it remains a valid question each year. Some will say that they’re busy all year, and that’s great! But there are several factors contributing to slowdowns across the industry.
Multiple Factors
Things like location, climate, and a city’s population are major factors. So what do you do when business slows down? You could start by learning a new skill. That’s a great idea as long as there’s a plan to implement it.
When I first started, I was a flat glass guy for many years. I could’ve focused on that for my entire career. It’s commonly said throughout the Facebook Groups, “I’m getting into flat glass, that’s where the money is.” And that can very well be true.
I did the exact opposite. I went all in on automotive film, and it paid off big time. I remember a pivotal moment well at a dealer conference many years ago. A speaker caused me to go into deep thought about where I was in business and life. The session made me reconsider where I wanted to be; what I wanted my future to look like.
From that point forward, I thought about what was best for my business, not about what other dealers were doing or what manufacturers were pushing.
Moving Forward
We see some mega shops online, and they’re very inspiring. But can their success be replicated on a wide-scale? If you’re in a small town in West Virginia, it’s unlikely you will build a similar business to someone in Houston or a wealthy California.
Find someone in a similar situation to yourself; someone ahead of you in their journey. Consider these things when you’re attempting to conquer a slowdown.
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Decide what you want. What’s realistic for your personal situation?
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Develop a plan. If you’re persistent and consistent, it’s pretty hard to fail.
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Find mentors. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. You have to learn to tint from a tinter. But mentors can come from a variety of places in and outside of the industry
Happy Tinting.
– Brian