In this post, you’ll find the steps needed to start your own window tinting business. But before you do, it’s important to establish the type of business you’re planning to set up. For example, are you thinking of window tinting for vehicles or homes? Or are you planning to do both?
The more focused you are on the type of business you’re planning to start, the easier it will be to plan and go through the start-up phase.
Steps to Starting a Window Tinting business
1. Research
The more research you do for a window tinting business, the easier it will be to streamline the start-up phase. You must have a strong understanding of how a window tinting business operates, whether it’s managing it or operations.
No one is more qualified than those already in the industry or has extensive experience. There are many ways to do this. Unfortunately, it’s beyond the scope of this article. However, I have created an article to help you get inside information for the business you’re planning to start.
See the link below for a process that can help you get inside information into a window tinting business.
An inside look into the business you want to start for more.
2. Choosing a Location
The location you choose is an important factor that affects your success. For example, operating in an area with no demand for window tinting makes no sense. On the other hand, operating in an area with many window tinting services will make it difficult to gain a piece of the market.
Another important consideration is will you operate your business out of your home or choose a commercial location? Naturally, a commercial location will have a higher start-up cost than operating from home.
For more, see Choosing the best location for your business.
3. Choose a Business Name
Choosing a business name takes time and consideration because you want a memorable, catchy, and appropriate name. Many sites online will help you develop a business name, and you can use these to boost your creativity.
I suggest coming up with a list of around 10 names and then leaving your list on the side for a few days. Then, when you come back to it, you will see it differently.
Your next step is to choose five names from your list. Next, you’ll want to check and see if they are available for registration along with a matching domain name.
Once you have five names available, get feedback to see what others think. You will also want to see your choices and print and use them in sentences to see how they sound. Your final step is to choose one and register it along with the matching domain name.
For more on business names, see the following:
Google search results for window tinting business name ideas.
How to choose a business name.
How to register a business name.
How to register a domain name for your business.
4. Legalizing Your Business
Your next step is to legalize your business. There are different business structures to choose from. A sole proprietorship or an LLC are popular choices.
For example, if you’re starting out of your home as a part-time business, you will probably structure your business as a sole proprietorship, which means you are one entity. However, if your business expands, you can always change your business structure to an LLC which provides more benefits such as personal asset protection.
You can also consult with a lawyer or an accountant to see the best route to take for your situation.
For More on Business Registration, See the following:
How to register your business.
How to choose a business structure.
5. Create Your Corporate ID
You will need a corporate ID for your window tinting business. A corporate ID has many components such as a logo, business cards, letterheads, brochures, a website, etc.
You can start with a logo and business cards and continue with the other components as needed.
You will want to use a professional designer to create your logo for you. Your logo is an important part of branding your business, and you want to leave a good impression on customers.
For More on Corporate IDs, See The Following:
How to design a business logo.
A complete introduction to corporate identity packages.
6. Estimating Your Start-up Cost
It’s important to estimate your start-up cost to know how much money you’ll need to get your business up and running and open your doors to the public. It’s important to be as accurate as possible, especially if you’re planning on getting funding for your business. Because if you estimate too low, you could run out of money before you can open your doors to the public. If you estimate too high and consider getting a loan, you could risk getting funding because your start-up costs are too high.
The best way to estimate your start-up cost is to list everything you need and get pricing. While you’re getting prices, other issues appear, and you can add them to your estimate.
For more, see Estimating start-up costs: are you missing anything?
7. Writing a Business Plan
A business plan is an important part of the start-up phase. When creating one, you’re forced to think of how you get customers, what makes you competitive, how you structure your business, etc.
It takes time and a lot of thinking to create a business plan, but once it’s done, you’ll have a plan for what you want and how you’re going to get there. Once your business is up and running, it’s a good idea to review your business plan from time to time. You can then make adjustments to your business plan or operations as needed or use it as a refresher. For more, see how to write a business plan.
8. Banking Setup
You need to separate your personal and business transactions, and one of the best ways to do so is to open a separate business bank account for your business. If you’re running as a sole proprietorship, you can open a separate business account at your current bank. If you’re planning an LLC and require funding, you’ll probably open a business account with the bank that approves your loan.
For More on Banking for Your Business, See the Following Articles:
Here are the resources needed to choose a business bank
Opening a small business bank account: here’s what to know
What is a merchant account: here is what you need to know
9. Get Funding
If you’re planning to open your business in a commercial location, you may require funding. When it comes to business loans, it’s important to understand how banks view start-up business loans.
Banks view start-up loans as high-risk. They would rather fund an existing business with a good track record than take a chance on a new start-up. That being said, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get a start-up business loan, but you have to fulfill all the requirements.
If your loan gets denied rather than disappointed, find out the reasons. Then, try to address as many as possible and move on to the next lender.
Also, take a look at our post on, Getting a small business loan.
10. Get Your Insurance
You’ll need to make sure your business is insured, especially if you have customers coming through a commercial location. Running a business without insurance could be a recipe for disaster. It’s something you must have in case of any incident that may occur.
For more, see our page about business insurance.
11. Choosing Suppliers
The suppliers you choose for your business play an important role. For example, imagine window tinting that is only available from one supplier. If that supplier cuts you off, you have a big problem. So looking at it this way shows you how important suppliers can be to a business.
You need a supplier that is reliable, knowledgeable, and communicates well. Building a strong relationship with your supplier pays off in the long run. For example, if supplies are short, they will do their best to make sure you get the supplies you need to keep your business operating.
For more see, How to choose a supplier you can depend on
12. Hiring Employees
In the early stages of operation, you may be considering doing everything yourself. And that’s a good idea because you need to keep costs down as much as possible. However, as your business expands and gets busier, you may need to hire people for operations or help manage the business.
When it comes to hiring, your success starts at the beginning, and that’s during the hiring phase. When you hire the right people, you build a strong team from the beginning. Also, it’s smart to only hire for the positions you need because overstaffing can negatively affect your profits.
See how and when to hire a new employee for more on hiring.
Points to Consider
Automotive window tinting is a quick service where you can perform many jobs during the day. Even though it takes a while for the tint to dry the application is relatively quick. You basically need to learn how to cut the film, clean the glass before application, and use a squeegee to remove the air bubbles.
You can get by with the bare minimum for under a thousand dollars and could be well on your way to making around $50 per hour, that is when you’re quick enough.
You can run this business part-time and you can run it from your home if you want.
If you plan to do the work yourself, then get some training on how to tint windows so you can perform quality work for every job. Plus, you can pick up tips that can make the job easier, and save you time.
Here are a few tips you want to focus on for your window tinting business:
- Focus on quality. You’ll want to provide quality service, so your work stands out and lasts.
- Stick to the quote you gave – Sometimes you’ll run into problems that cost you more time and you may be tempted to charge more.
- Offer a satisfaction guarantee – With a service sometimes things don’t turn out as anticipated. If the customer is unhappy, you’re better off taking the loss. You could have an unhappy marketing influencer that can reach out to their followers and cost you a lot of business.
- Offer a scratch warranty – A window may get scratched due to a lockout or other reasons. When you offer a warranty you are adding value to your service and offering another reason for people to use your service over the competition.
- Finally, you want to make sure owning and running a business is the right step for you. See Business Startup Considerations for important points to consider before you start your business.
Resources
In this section, you’ll find a collection of resources that you can use now and when your business is in operation. Many of the links lead to google search results, ensuring you get the latest and most popular resources every time.
Businesses For Sale
Before starting your own window tinting business, why not check to see if any are for sale in your area?
Buying an existing business has pros and cons. For example, pros include a business that’s already in operation, you skip the start-up phase, you start earning revenue from the day you take over, and you already know if the business is successful or not.
On the other hand, because you’re buying a business already in operation, it will cost you more than starting your own. Also, the business is set up, so if you were to make drastic changes, there is a chance you may disrupt operations. That being said doesn’t hurt to have a look at businesses for sale. Click here for the latest google search results for window tinting businesses for sale.
Franchise Opportunities
A franchise also has pros and cons.
Some of the pros include:
A franchise is like a business in a box. Even the setup is outlined for you. Basically, all you have to do is invest the money and follow the directions set by corporate. Even your operating procedures are set up in place for you along with marketing campaigns, etc.
Some of the cons include:
Ongoing franchise fees for as long as you own the franchise and you can’t change the way the business operates. You have to stick with corporate guidelines for the franchise to be standard across the network.
You can’t choose what components you want to offer your customers. Everything is standard across the network, so it’s all or nothing.
Click here for the latest google search results for window tinting Franchise Opportunities.
Publications
Staying up-to-date with the window tinting industry is something you want to do. You can follow blogs, subscribe to newsletters and publications, read articles, watch videos, etc.
The key is finding the information and using it. I have made it easy by including a link below that offers different types of information you can browse through. Since the link is a Google search result, you will always get the latest and most popular information. You may want to visit this link at least once a month to see what’s new.
Click here for the latest publications related to the window tinting business.
Trends and Statistics
Trends and statistics or another way to get more information about the window tinting industry. Sometimes, by going through the information, you may come up with something missing in your business that you can put in place or come up with an idea that’s missing in the marketplace that can give you a competitive edge.
Click here for the latest google search results related to trends in the window tinting industry.
Industry Terminology
It’s important to understand the terminology related to window tinting. Understanding the terminology is one step closer to being an expert. You can wait to pick up the terms as you get experience, but you don’t have to wait; instead, you can click on the link below to get the terms now.
Search results related to terminology in the window tinting industry.
Supplies
When purchasing supplies, you want to ensure you’re using good quality products to ensure customer satisfaction. For example, the last thing you want is a bad reputation for window tinting that doesn’t last with bubbles or cracks.
See the latest google search results for window tinting business supplies.
Associations
Associations are a great way to stay in touch with the window tinting industry. Many associations offer industry information, publications, and other benefits. Many of them also host events you can attend to network with others in the industry.
You may also want to join your local Chamber of Commerce to network with local entrepreneurs.
Click here to view associations related to the window tinting industry. You may also want to check out our page for tips and insights about Joining a trade association.
Top Window Tinting Businesses
By studying other window tinting businesses, you gain an understanding of what they offer and gain insight into pricing. But, as mentioned in the trends and statistics section, you can also come up with the idea that everyone else is missing, or you may find something that you’re missing in your own business.
See the latest Google for the top window tinting business in your area.
Marketing Tips
I suggest using marketing tips that make sense to you. For each technique, you choose, make sure you test the results to ensure the marketing technique is working. Once you have one that works well, keep using it and move on to a new technique. Keep doing this until you have marketing techniques that work in the background.
If you put one marketing technique in place every month, in a year, you’ll have 12 techniques that bring in business.
Have a look at the latest articles for marketing a window tinting business.
Tinting Tips
No matter how experienced you are, it’s always a good idea to see what’s new regarding window tinting. Even if you’re experienced, you may find something that can help you to improve your technique.
Have a look at the search results for tips related to window tinting.
Books
Books are another great source of information. It’s not a bad idea to have a collection of books related to window tinting so that you have expert information at your side anytime you need it.
View the most recent Google search results for window tinting business books.
News
Using a site like Google News will help you stay informed with news stories the media covers related to window tinting. The link below will take you to the most recent and archived stories you may find value in.
See Google’s news search results related to window tinting.
Videos on YouTube
YouTube is an excellent source of information. Just type in your keyword, and you’ll get a list of relevant videos you can view immediately. In addition, many content providers take time and effort to develop quality videos for their audience.
When watching a video keep an eye out for the related topics, under your video or in the sidebar, they could offer a lot of value.
Links to the Most Popular and Recent YouTube Videos Are Below:
See the most recent videos related to a window tinting business.