This week we sit down with Alexis “El Magic” Figueroa - owner of Magic Shade, founder of Magic Academy, and creator of the Magic Pouch chest tool system built specifically for tinters.

From competing on the world stage to innovating tools used by installers across the globe, El Magic is pushing the tint industry forward in a BIG way 🌎🔥

If you're into automotive tint, flat glass, competitions, or leveling up your install game - this episode is packed with value.

🎙️ In This Episode We Cover:
🔹 Competing at WFCT and what it takes to perform under pressure
🔹 Why the best tinters compete
🔹 Automotive vs Flat Glass - the art behind both
🔹 Bottom loading vs two-staging - why you need both skills
🔹 Tesla installs, Cybertruck windshields, and new vehicle challenges
🔹 How social media changed the tint industry
🔹 Building Magic Academy and training the next generation
🔹 The evolution of the Magic Pouch - designed by a real installer for real installers
🔹 Innovation, growth, and pushing the tint industry forward
El Magic shares his journey from Puerto Rico to the United States, how competition fuels growth, and why craftsmanship still matters in today’s tint game.
This episode is all about mindset, technique, and building something bigger than yourself.
If you’re serious about growing in the window tint industry - this is a must watch 💪
Drop a comment below - are you team bottom load or team two-stage?
Like 👍
Comment 💬
Subscribe 🔔
Follow Alexis:
Instagram - @magicshade.us
Instagram - @magicacademy.us
Instagram - @magicpouchtools
Follow us:
Instagram - @greenvalleywindowtint
#BornToTintPodcast #WindowTint #MagicPouch #TintLife #AutomotiveTint

This week on the Born To Tint Podcast, we sit down with Chris Garcia from Fresh Off The Lot and Dante Peterson from Dante’s Custom Detailing - the founders behind the fast-rising brand Tint The World 🌎🔥

These two entrepreneurs are making serious noise in the detailing, tinting, and automotive space. From building their own brands to launching a movement that’s bringing the industry together, this episode is packed with value, vision, and real business talk.

If you’re in window tint, detailing, wrap, or any automotive service business - this is one you don’t want to miss 🎙️
🎯 In This Episode We Cover:
🔹 The origin story behind Tint The World
🔹 How Chris and Dante built their individual brands from the ground up
🔹 What it takes to stand out in the automotive industry
🔹 Branding, content creation, and building community
🔹 The power of collaboration over competition
🔹 The future vision for Tint The World 🌎
🔹 Lessons learned from the grind

This episode is about more than tint - it’s about mindset, movement, and building something bigger than yourself 💪

🌎 About Our Guests
🔥 Chris Garcia - Founder of Fresh Off The Lot
Follow Chris on Instagram: @freshoffthelot_
🔥 Dante Peterson - Owner of Dante’s Custom Detailing
Follow Dante on Instagram: @dantescustomdetail
🔥 Tint The World
Follow the movement: @tinttheworld__

Whether you’re an installer, shop owner, entrepreneur, or just getting started in the industry - this conversation will motivate you to level up 📈
If you believe in growing the industry and tinting the world together… this one’s for you 🌎

👇 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway from the episode.

Follow us on Instagram: @GreenValleyWindowTint

This week we sit down with Jon Nickless, Solar Gard Sales Rep and 20+ year industry veteran, to talk exterior window film, large commercial projects, energy rebates, turf burn solutions, and the evolution of flat glass. 🔥🏢

In this episode we break down a massive 165,000 sq ft exterior window film project and what it really takes to land and complete jobs at that level - from union labor and swing stages to seaming exterior film and securing 10-year warranties. 🏗️🪟

We also dive into:
🔹 Energy companies backing window film with major rebates 💰⚡
🔹 Why exterior film is becoming critical with advanced low-e glass 🌡️
🔹 Turf burn and vinyl siding melting solutions 🌱🔥
🔹 Why testing glass and using meters is non-negotiable 📊
🔹 The importance of structured flat glass education 🎓
🔹 How to position yourself as an expert and charge premium pricing 💼📈

If you’re in the window tint industry and want to grow your flat glass business the right way, this episode is packed with value for installers, shop owners, and anyone serious about scaling in architectural window film. 🚀

Follow @SolarGardWindowFilm
Follow @GreenValleyWindowTint

#WindowFilm #SolarGard #FlatGlass #ExteriorWindowFilm #ArchitecturalFilm #CommercialTint #EnergyEfficiency #TurfBurn #WindowTintBusiness #BornToTint

This week we sit down with Scott Decker – a 3M Authorized Wrap Trainer, tool inventor, and the mind behind Wrap On Tools and Wrap On: The Podcast 🎙️

Scott breaks down the real differences between wraps vs tint, the business models behind each, and why systems, processes, and quality matter more than ever as shops scale 📈 Whether you’re installing, training, building tools, or creating content – this episode is packed with value.

👇 What we get into on this episode 👇
🔧 Wrap industry vs tint industry – two totally different games
🧠 Why process matters more than just tools
📦 From installer to inventor – building Wrap On Tools
🎙️ How podcasts and content are shaping modern businesses
📊 Production shops vs artisan shops – pros, cons, and margins
📱 Using social media the right way to build trust and authority
🏁 Competing, training, and staying sharp in a fast-moving industry
Scott also shares behind-the-scenes insight on launching products, running a podcast, and why education + consistency is the real cheat code in today’s market.

👀 Follow Scott here:
👉 IG - @stickwithscott
👉 IG - @wrapontools

📲 Follow us for more industry conversations:
👉 @greenvalleywindowtint

💥 If you’re in the wrap or tint game (or thinking about leveling up your shop), this is one you don’t want to miss.

▶️ Watch the full episode now and tap subscribe for weekly drops

#BornToTintPodcast #WindowTint #VehicleWraps #WrapIndustry #TintIndustry

This week we sit down with Clayton Summerall, the owner of Mint Tinting, Becker Wraps, and multiple other ventures out of College Station, Texas. Clayton is one of those guys who doesn’t just talk vision - he executes it at a massive level. From premium tint and wraps to large-scale security, education, and community impact, this episode is packed with real game for shop owners and entrepreneurs alike.

🎙️ In this episode, Clayton breaks down:
🔹 Building multiple businesses under one ecosystem
🔹 Why premium pricing attracts better clients (and better results)
🔹 Using micro-influencers and NIL deals to dominate local markets
🔹 Scaling from small jobs into six and seven-figure commercial contracts
🔹 Security film, ballistic protection, and school safety at scale
🔹 Training the next generation through technical education
🔹 Leadership, culture, and protecting your company standards
🔹 Why relationships always beat short-term wins

This conversation goes deep into business strategy, mindset, pricing, marketing, and long-term vision - straight from someone actually doing it at a high level.

🚀 If you’re serious about growth in the tint, wrap, PPF, or security space, this is a must-watch episode.

📲 Follow Clayton here:
👉 Instagram - @mint_tinting
👉 Instagram - @beckerwraps
👉 YouTube - @wraps2Riches
📲 Follow us for more industry conversations:
👉 Instagram - @greenvalleywindowtint

👇 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode!

This week we sat down with Sal Hurtado, owner of Sal’s House of Tint out of San Marcos, Texas and a Flat Glass Judge for WFCT – and this one went DEEP 🎙️🔥

From Sal’s wild journey into the tint industry to competition, judging at the highest level, leadership, culture, health, and mindset – this episode is raw, honest, and packed with real-world value for shop owners, installers, and anyone grinding to build something bigger 💪

👇 In this episode, we cover 👇
🔹 How Sal got started tinting and the mentors that changed his life
🔹 Competing vs judging – and why judging may be the highest level
🔹 What separates good tinters from great ones under pressure
🔹 Building shop culture that actually retains talent
🔹 Why ego kills growth in this industry
🔹 The role fitness, discipline, and routine play in long-term success
🔹 Real talk on competitions, training your team, and leading by example

Sal brings wisdom, humility, and perspective you don’t hear every day – this is one you’ll want to listen to all the way through 🚗🏠

🎧 Watch / listen now on YouTube and all streaming platforms
👤 Guest: Sal Hurtado
🏢 Shop: Sal’s House of Tint – San Marcos, TX
📲 Follow Sal on IG: @salshouseoftint
📲 Follow us: @greenvalleywindowtint

If you’re serious about leveling up in tint, business, or life – this episode is for you 🚀

We sit down with Roberta Rodriguez, owner of Modesto Window Tint and founder of the California Tint Academy – one of the most respected leaders in the window film industry today.

Roberta breaks down what it really takes to scale a tint business, build elite installers, and create a training academy that changes lives inside and outside the industry. This episode is PACKED with real-world gems for shop owners, installers, and anyone looking to grow in window film. 💪🎯

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE WE COVER:
🔹 Training installers to become better than you
🔹 Why handing over the squeegee is a sign of true leadership
🔹 Building a successful tint academy from the ground up
🔹 The power of community, chambers, and local involvement
🔹 Creating follow-up systems that actually convert
🔹 Helping students after training - not just during
🔹 Using competition to become a better installer
🔹 Giving back and building the next generation of tinters

Roberta also dives into how California Tint Academy works with schools, community programs, and re-entry initiatives to give people real career opportunities through window film. This is leadership, legacy, and impact all in one episode. 🙌

👤 FOLLOW OUR GUEST:
👉 IG: @modesto_window_tint
👉 IG: @california_tint_academy

🎧 WATCH / LISTEN NOW:
If you’re serious about growing your tint business, training installers, or creating systems that last - this episode is a MUST.

📲 FOLLOW US:
👉 IG: @GREENVALLEYWINDOWTINT

💬 Drop a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode!

#BornToTintPodcast #WindowTintIndustry #TintAcademy #TintLife #WomenInTint 
ROBERTA

This week on the Born to Tint Podcast, we sit down with a true OG of the tint industry – Fernan Sainz, owner and operator of Sainz Designs out of Staten Island, NY. If you’ve ever competed, watched, or followed high-level tinting, you already know the name. 💪🔥

Fernan breaks down what it really takes to stay elite for decades, how competition sharpens skill, and why repetition, discipline, and humility separate the good from the great. This episode is packed with real-world lessons for installers, shop owners, and anyone serious about mastering their craft.

👇 In this episode, we cover:
🔧 The mindset behind 30+ years in the tint industry
🏆 Winning Team Auto at Tinter Battles 2026
🥇 Back-to-back WFR Ironman Champion (2024 & 2025)
🔥 25 Top-5 finishes at WFCT and what consistency really means
🎯 Why practice doesn’t make perfect – it makes you better
⚡ Torch vs heat gun – speed, control, and competition strategy
🧠 Learning through failure, wasting film, and leveling up faster
🤝 How competition pushes the entire tint industry forward

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been tinting for decades, this conversation is full of game you can actually apply. Iron sharpens iron – and Fernan is living proof.

👉 Follow Fernan on all platforms:
📲 @sainzdesigns

👉 Follow us on Instagram:
📲 @GreenValleyWindowTint

🎧 Watch the full episode now and tap in with one of the most respected installers in the game.

AI, automation, and the future of running a modern window tint business 🤖💡

In this episode, we sit down with Erik Pendleton, Founder of Rewired Technologies, to break down how AI is already changing the game for businesses - and why ignoring it could leave you behind.

From AI-powered phone answering and lead follow-up, to marketing automation and operational efficiency, Erik pulls back the curtain on what’s coming next and how tint shops can stay ahead of the curve.

🔥 In this episode we cover
🔹 Why AI is the “new internet” for business owners
🔹 How missed calls = missed money (and how AI fixes that)
🔹 AI agents vs traditional inside sales teams
🔹 What AI can and can’t replace in the tint industry
🔹 Why content, SEO, and automation are merging fast
🔹 How small and mid-sized shops can compete with big companies
🔹 The future of marketing, customer service, and business ops

If you’re a shop owner, installer, or entrepreneur wondering how AI fits into your business - this episode is a must-watch. 🎯
📲 Follow our guest
👉 Follow Erik: @rewiredep
👉 Follow Rewired Technologies: @rewiredtechnologies
📲 Follow us for more tint, business, and behind-the-scenes content
👉 @GreenValleyWindowTint

🎧 Tap in, level up, and don’t get left behind.

 🚀🔥
#BornToTintPodcast #WindowTintBusiness #AITools #Entrepreneurship #BusinessAutomation

This week on the Born to Tint Podcast, we sit down with Carlos Olazaba, better known as “The Texas Squeegee” 🤠🧽 - the founder and creator of the Tinter Battles, the viral tinting competition that’s pushing the craft, skill, and competitiveness of the window film industry to a whole new level 🚀

Carlos breaks down how Tinter Battles came to life, what makes a great competitor, and why competitions like this are so important for raising the standard in the tint world 💪

👇 WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE 👇
🔹 How Tinter Battles started and why it exploded so fast
🔹 What separates elite tinters from the rest
🔹 Competition mindset - pressure, prep, and performance
🔹 Why community and competition go hand in hand
🔹 The future of Tinter Battles and where it’s headed next

🎙️ Whether you’re an installer, shop owner, or just obsessed with the craft, this episode is packed with real insight and motivation from someone who’s changing the game.

📲 FOLLOW & SUPPORT
👉 Follow Carlos - @texas_squeegee
👉 Follow Tinter Battles - @tinterbattles
👉 Follow us - @GreenValleyWindowTint

💬 Drop a comment and let us know - would YOU compete in Tinter Battles? 😤🔥

• #BornToTint #TinterBattles #WindowTintLife #TintIndustry #GreenValleyWindowTint