The following is a guest column from Mike Burke, founder of Sun Stoppers.
As a shop owner in the window tinting and PPF industry, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is who to bring onto your team. With over 36 years in this business, I’ve learned that finding the right people for the right roles can make or break your success. Today, I want to share some key insights on how to build an all-star team by hiring the right window tinters and paint protection film (PPF) installers.
You’re the Owner, You’re the Coach
Sun Stoppers founder Mike Burke has worked in the window film industry for over 30 years.When it comes to hiring, you have to move beyond simply having an “owner” mentality and start thinking more like the head coach of a sports team. Your job is to identify talent, put the right players in the right positions, and create a working environment where they can thrive.
On a football team, you need a star quarterback and a wide receiver. Other players might want to be the quarterback, but as the coach, you need to be strong enough to be able to tell which players are key to the success of your team by putting them into the right positions.
Usually, window tinters don’t transfer over to be PPF installers. Some people can do both. But in most cases, having players that play both positions doesn’t get you the win.
Window tinters and PPF installers have different skill sets and personalities that suit their specific roles. These are your two gladiators, and you need two different strategies to create a winning team.
Window Tinters: Your Offensive Line
So, when hiring a window tinter, what do you look for?
Window tinters are usually extroverts. They’re the type of people who want to get stuff done. They like quick wins.
Here are some qualities to look for:
Extroverted personality;
Enjoys fast-paced work;
Listens to upbeat, energetic music;
Prefers social activities on days off;
Goal-oriented and ambitious;
Likes energy drinks.
For both positions, I always recommend a working interview if possible. Have the candidate come in before or after business hours and work on a car with you. This allows you to see their skills firsthand and how they handle real-world situations. This goes for both jobs.
While you’re working, ask questions like:
“Do you like cars? What kind of car do you currently drive?”
“What type of music do you listen to?”
“What’s a perfect day off for you?”
“If you could pick one concert a year to attend, what band would you see?”
“Take me through your morning routine. What time do you go to bed?”
“What are your career goals?”
PPF Installers: Your Special Teams
Paint protection film installers have opposite personalities from window tinters. This is the guy who can win tomorrow or next week. PPF installers are introverted and detail-oriented. They’re strategists.
When hiring a PPF installer, look for:
Introverted personality;
Enjoys focused, detailed work;
Listens to calmer, more relaxed music;
Comfortable working alone for extended periods;
Patient and methodical.
Again, always go for a working interview if possible. While you’re working, ask questions like:
“What kind of video games do you play?”
“What type of music do you listen to?”
“What does your perfect day off look like?”
“What do you want your career to look like in this industry? Would you ever want to own your own shop?”
Where to Find Your Team
Job boards are rarely the best place to find your team. Window tinting Facebook groups and social media ads, however, can be effective for finding people who already like cars or connecting with others in the industry.
If you have time, having an “always recruiting” mentality is best when you’re out in public. Think about car washes.
In a drive-thru car wash, there are usually two different guys or sets of guys. One is wiping the cars down, pulling cars in and out, taking your money, and handing the car back to you. These guys are hustling. That’s your window tinter.
Then you have the guy inside the bay that’s vacuuming the car, buffing, and cleaning grease off. He’s your attention-to-detail kind of guy. He’s not in a hurry. This is your PPF installer.
One other way to find your ideal team members is to keep an eye on customers. It’s not uncommon to come across a guy who’s been out of high school or college for a couple of years, loves cars, and is unsure of what he wants to do. Maybe this guy just bought a new Subaru and always wanted to put PPF on his car but was too afraid to do it himself.
You could invite this type of guy to come out on the weekend and play around with material with you. Just see if it’s something he might like to do.
Creating the Right Space
Lastly, having a winning team is more than just hiring the right players. It’s up to you to create the right space. A paint protection room needs to be like a library—its own sanctuary. When you want good, clean work, you need to have an environment for your employee that’s separated from everyone else. Remember, this guy is an artist. It’s up to you to create an environment where he can take his work to the next level.
The Bigger Picture
Your team members aren’t just employees – they’re the future of your business. Don’t be threatened if they express interest in owning their own shop someday. Instead, see it as an opportunity for growth. Some of my most successful expansions have come from partnering with ambitious team members to open new locations.
Lastly, keep in mind that good installers want to work for good leaders. They’re looking for more than just a paycheck – they want to be part of a well-run operation with clear goals and strong leadership.
Building a top-tier team takes time and effort, but it’s one of the best investments you can make in your business. By understanding the unique qualities needed for each position and creating an environment where they can excel, you’ll be well on your way to creating a powerhouse team.
PPFmag columnist Mike Burke has worked in the window film industry for over 30 years. His company, Sun Stoppers, has more than 71 locations in 28 states and offers residential and commercial tint and decorative film services as well as automotive tint, paint protection and ceramic coatings. When away from work, Burke spends time with his family.