Speaker Spotlight – Jonathan Thompson
- Could you start by introducing yourself and telling us a bit about your background in the window film industry? What sparked your interest in this field?
I grew up in the window film industry. My parents had a business when I was 6. After graduating from college, I wanted to stay in the industry, and my father allowed me to run his small business. My wife and I purchased the company in 2007.
I enjoy building things, especially building a business. Since I was already familiar with the industry, it was a good fit for me to try creating a business in window films. My wife and I aim to build an organization that is serious about what we do with a fun environment.
We have a saying that window film is always positive. When we leave a building or a car, it is generally better than when we started. It’s safer, more comfortable for people, or it looks pretty. All films achieve this, and customers get excited about what we do when the installation is complete. It is gratifying.
- What do you see as some of the most exciting developments in the industry right now?
The industry is changing. It’s no longer a tiny niche industry, being part of that growth is exciting. These days, the products cover more than glass. The use of films continues to find new markets. We see other window film businesses developing different films or products that complement what we do, and watching them become successful is inspirational.
- In your talk, what specific topics or insights will you be covering, and why are these important?
I’ll be one of several fantastic dealers on the dealer panel discussion. We’ll cover topics chosen by the audience to brainstorm ideas.
- What are the biggest challenges you see facing the industry today, and how can those in the window film community work together to overcome them?
The challenges never end, whether its increased competition, labor shortages, evolution of glazing or competitive materials, just when you think you’ve overcome one, a new one pops up. That’s the fun part of being a business owner, constant puzzle solvers. These are not specific to our industry. Collaborating with other businesses or industries is the only way to work through them. How can we apply new tech to our industry? Is there an opportunity for us to develop machines to do basic installation work?
- What do you hope the audience takes away from your session? Is there a specific message or action you want to inspire?
Learn how to ask the right questions to find solutions to our problems. As owners, we’re expected to have all the answers, and that’s just not realistic. We have the ability to ask questions that engage team members to find solutions.