The Man Who Saved Tint in Hawaii with Tommy Silva

This week on the Born To Tint Podcast, we sit down with a true pioneer of the window tint industry — Tommy Silva, owner of T&T Tinting Specialists in Hawaii. 🌴Tommy isn’t just an industry veteran… he’s the guy who helped make window tint LEGAL in Hawaii. From lobbying lawmakers to building a multi-million dollar business over 40+ years, this episode is packed with real experience, business wisdom, and lessons you won’t hear anywhere else.🎙️ In this episode, we cover:🌴 How Tommy helped legalize window tint in Hawaii📈 Scaling a tint business to $5M+ and beyond🏢 Why flat glass took his business to the next level👥 Transitioning to an employee-owned company (ESOP)💡 The importance of partnerships with manufacturers🔥 Why this is NOT an “8-hour a day” business💰 How top installers maximize income in this trade🧠 Lessons from 40+ years in the tint industryTommy shares real, unfiltered insight on what it takes to build something that lasts — from grinding 12+ hour days early on to creating a company that now runs with leadership and structure.“You’re going to get out what you put in… this is not an 8-hour business.”📲 Follow Tommy Silva & T&T Tinting:Instagram: @tommysilva808Instagram: @tnttinting📲 Follow us for more industry content:@greenvalleywindowtint🎧 If you're in the tint industry — or looking to level up your business — this is a must-listen episode.#WindowTint #TintShop #Entrepreneurship #FlatGlass #BornToTint00:00 - Why This Isn’t an 8 Hour Business00:20 - Introducing Tommy Silva (Tint Industry OG)01:08 - Hawaii Tint Laws Explained (Old vs New)02:05 - How Law Changes Boosted Tint Business03:01 - Strict Inspections & Windshield Tint Limits05:02 - Selling His Company to Employees (ESOP)06:28 - Why He Didn’t Sell to Outside Buyers07:42 - How Employee Ownership Changes Everything09:33 - Does ESOP Make Businesses Grow Faster?10:54 - How Employees Cash Out Their Shares12:11 - Hitting $5M+ & Scaling the Business15:45 - The Shift Into Flat Glass & Hotels17:35 - Landing Massive Hotel Projects in Hawaii18:25 - Training Auto Tinters Into Flat Glass Pros20:04 - Why They Avoid Color Change Wraps24:03 - Making Big Money on Large Scale Jobs26:35 - How Installers Maximize Income29:00 - Slow Season vs Busy Season Strategy39:31 - Why Repeat Customers Are Everything45:59 - The Story of Legalizing Tint in Hawaii51:36 - Getting the Governor to Approve Tint Laws56:52 - Tint Laws, Loopholes & Medical Exemptions01:10:56 - Advice for New Tinters & Business Owners01:14:47 - Building a Family Legacy in Tint01:19:47 - Final Thoughts & Industry Growth