IWFA Member Spotlight- Jeff Rutherford
The IWFA is doing its part to highlight some of its members. Jeff (pictured) is a member of the IWFA board and also the Members Action Committee (MAC).
1. How did you get started in the window film industry?
I started working at an auto glass shop in 1996 in a small town. We did window tint, auto glass, power windows, door locks, and headliners. I didn’t know how to tint or had even seen window films before. I did always have a passion to work with my hands building things. I remember being four years old and building a rubber band paddle boat in my grandpas’ wood shop. Then my father had always worked on and built motorcycles which gave me the passion to do the same as I got older. I am constantly learning through this life of mine.
2. What prompted you to join the IWFA?
I joined the IWFA to get accreditation and learn more about the window film industry.
3. What is your favorite aspect of your business?
Meeting and talking with clients and finding a solution for problems and needs.
4. What are you passionate about outside of window filming?
My wife and riding dirt bikes and street bikes. I like road course racing and enjoy going to the Sebring 12-hour race in Florida. I can’t leave out Daytona. I live so close I have spent a lot of time in Daytona for bike week and Biketoberfest. I do believe my main passion is fixing and building things.
5. What has been your most memorable project to date?
It was a contract at a port in Brunswick, Georgia. I had the opportunity to tint for a fleet. We would have two shipments a year, one in the Spring and another in the Fall. We would tint over 300 units a year, which included my team and I tinting over 40 sport wagons in a day. My team and I had to precut, preshrink, and build kits that we could take and install quickly. One time I had to go to the process center to complete 25 sport wagons on my own without my team. This was the most cars I have ever tinted in a day and is a day I will never forget.
6. How has technology shaped your business over the years or how are you incorporating technology into your business?
Technology has played a big roll in shaping my business. The technology changes in films alone have made some impressive leaps in the past five years. Some of these newer films a VAMPIRE could live behind and be protected. Cell phones, social media, and cutting software for films are other important factors in my business. Cutting software alone has made a huge impact with my customer relations. I have been able to cut butterflies, skulls, sports logo and so much more. I have been able to layer films to make 3D images. I was able to make window film look like stained glass with individual cuts and colors. The smiles on my clients faces when I finish adding their own personality to the product is priceless.
7. What is something that you do that makes you stand out from the rest of your competition?
There are a lot of things I do; however, customer satisfaction is a must. I have always done my best to make a client 100% satisfied.
8. What is the single most critical obstacle standing in the way of improving or increasing your business?
It is shop size. I am constantly looking to improve and grow my business using social media advertising and searching for a larger shop location. I always have my eyes looking for that next step to improve or increase my business.
9. What is the best business advice you have received?
“Build it and they will come.”
10. What advice would you give to someone just starting out on their own?
Always be open-minded and try new and different things. Never get discouraged because we all have that off day when things don’t go as planned.
11. Where do you see yourself/your business in 10 years?
Having a bigger location with expanded products available for clients.
#12- The film industry is constantly changing. Do you think it’s best to be able to adjust or adapt to these changes?
I am currently faced with one of the biggest changes myself and will be adapting to these changes to better my career. Stay tuned.