The Tint World® headquarters team has deep experience in the automotive franchise industry, which they leverage every day to help franchisees succeed. That’s our goal every day: get strong business owners to their grand openings, one-year anniversaries and beyond.
In this Headquarters Q&A, we spoke with Tint World® Chief Operating Officer Jeff Stark. He has a great career story to share. We hope you find it as inspirational as we did!
Question: Tell us about your background. What did you do before coming to Tint World®?
Answer: I have spent the last 20 years of my life working hand-in-hand with Tint World® CEO Charles Bonfiglio, starting as franchisees in an automotive repair franchise. Under our direction, we took our stores to No. 1 and No. 2 out of a more than 900-store franchise system. We were that franchise’s first stores to ever break $2 million in annual sales from one location. My background is solely in automotive, from auto sales to auto service, and now in the automotive aftermarket space. I started my career in cars and will finish it in cars!
Q: Why did you decide to join the Tint World® headquarters team?
A: Basically, it really wasn’t a decision. Charles and I worked together for so long, joining him in the Tint World® headquarters team was just the next, natural thing we were going to do together. Over the 20 years, we were very much on the same page with how a business should be run. We have the same ideas and same goals. In 20 years, I’ve never thought about going anywhere else or working with anyone else. We have been very successful at building everything we’ve set our minds to.
Q: What does a typical day include for you?
A: The better question would be what my typical day doesn’t include! My typical day includes location searches, operational support, marketing support, collaboration with Charles, franchisee finances, and that’s just to get started.
Q: How does your job and expertise build value for Tint World® franchisees?
A: My expertise builds value because I spent 15 years in the same seat they’re sitting in today. I know every pitfall, every hiccup, everything they’re going to run into. I’ve been there, done that, and I can help them navigate through it to get to the other side. I’m different from other COOs because a lot of COOs don’t start where I started. They came out of their college degree and got started on the corporate side of the business and worked their way up the ladder. I believe that makes it harder for them because they’ve never been in the driver’s seat where the franchisees are sitting.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: Seeing franchisees succeed. This job or career path is about one thing for me. It’s about seeing people have the same successes I’ve had from the processes and procedures I have learned from Charles and have had the pleasure of passing down to our new franchisees.
Q: What is a Tint World® experience that really stands out for you? Do you have a favorite moment?
A: I think my favorite moments are at the Tint World® annual convention when we announce the Million Dollar Club winners. It really is a rewarding moment to watch those store owners being recognized for the achievements they’ve made and knowing that my team and I have contributed to them getting to that moment.
Q: What are your goals in your career with Tint World®?
A: I want to be a significant part of growing this company to 300-plus stores. We have our stated goal, 300 Tint World® stores by the end of 2025. Every day for me is another step towards that goal. We want to get to that number, and we’re going to work as hard as we have to.
Q: Tell us about your dream car. If you could drive anything, what would it be and why?
A: My dream car is a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible with a 427 Big Block. I’ve always loved that car! When I started out in the automotive business, I was in automotive sales at 18 years old. I worked for a young guy who was a general manager of a multi-store dealership. He was making a ton of money and was really very smart. This is the car he bought for himself for a goal, and I saw it and fell in love with it. A lot of guys like Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but they’re not my cup of tea.
As you can see, our headquarters team is ready to help our franchisees with decades of industry know-how. If you’ve dreamed of owning your own automotive styling franchise, Tint World® would love to hear from you. Just download our franchise kit for more information.
