After more than two decades in the retail industry, Mark Hamilton was ready for a change. He’d come to a point where he wanted to work for himself and be his own boss, which made the franchise system especially appealing. His love of cars and all things automotive made Tint World® the perfect fit, and today he’s the owner of Tint World® Fort Myers, Florida.
“I’ve always been a do-it-yourself kind of guy, and I’ve tinkered with or worked on cars ever since I was a kid,” Hamilton said. “I really enjoy working with automotive upgrades, so Tint World® was a natural fit. I was first exposed to the Tint World® franchise by sitting down with the leadership team on a discovery day and learned how each department provided their respective areas of support. I really enjoyed the format and look of the franchise locations we were able to visit, and everything felt like the right fit for me. About a year later, I had my own store open, and I was running my own business.”
Hamilton said the strong support and systems put in place by the full team at Tint World® HQ was one of the key factors in his decision to become a Tint World® franchisee. The franchise development team walked him through each step and helped him understand the ins and outs of the process. Nearly five years of ownership later, Hamilton said his store has seen fantastic success thanks to the connections and systems the HQ team has cultivated and built.
“When you speak with [CEO] Charles Bonfiglio, he’s so passionate about Tint World®. You quickly understand the direction the overall brand is moving in, and what it can do for those who want to own their own business,” Hamilton said. “You can tell everyone truly cares and they’re all doing their part to help Tint World® franchisees be successful.”
The franchise system is a great way to build your business faster, according to Hamilton. He believes he wouldn’t have been able to progress so quickly or achieve this level of success if he’d opened a business on his own.
“The team at HQ is extremely knowledgeable, and they’ve provided so much support from day one,” Hamilton said. “I don’t need them every day, but anytime I do, I know they’re always there for me.”
He says that while he’s got a great staff at his Fort Myers location and a strong support backing from HQ, the ability to give back and connect with his community is a special highlight of store ownership. In fact, he’s been able to blend his personal interests with his work as a member of the Caloosa Jeepers, a family-oriented Jeep Club based in Southwest Florida.
“Each year, the club puts on a charity event called ‘Go Topless Day’, and Tint World® is a sponsor”, Hamilton said. “It’s a global event, but we organize an event locally to raise money for charity. This year, we partnered with another club and brought in more than 350 Jeeps from all over South Florida. Together, we raised $24,000 for local charities! I love Jeeps, and I’m blessed to be able to pursue my passions and help folks in the community, too.”
Hamilton said Tint World® recently helped the Caloosa Jeepers sponsor a Poker Run/Scavenger Hunt that helped raise money for a local organization that places benches at school bus stops. From working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to participating in COVID-friendly birthday parades, Hamilton always tries to do what he can to pay it forward.
“I’ve been really fortunate to be able to build a career doing something I love,” Hamilton said.
He owns three vehicles and each has been heavily modified, from his 2007 Jeep Wrangler — which is great for off-roading — to his 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse, which he bought brand new but has upgraded so much, most of the factory parts are gone. His latest addition is a 2017 Ford F-350, which he just purchased as a shop vehicle.
“I love customizing vehicles,” Hamilton said. “Your vehicle’s look is part of your personality. I love making them one-of-a-kind, from audio to tint and everything between. I love every minute because I get to spend every day with a vehicle, tinkering and making it unique. It’s been fun for me.”
If you would like to learn more about Tint World® ® franchise opportunities, just download our franchise kit today.
