The month of March is traditionally celebrated as Women’s History Month. Each March, we join the International Window Film Association’s recognition of Women in Window Film.

Here are four women who are making a difference in the window film industry. These women are running successful operations, surpassing business goals and helping to install rolls of film for customers – ultimately improving their customer’s lives by reducing heat, helping to prevent fading, creating savings on energy costs and so much more.

Orange Tint and Graphics: Meet Office Manager Rosemary Reitler

Rosemary Reitler learned firsthand the impact of window film on both health and comfort when she first moved to Florida 11 years ago. Rosemary is the office manager for Orange Tint and Graphics and assists owner Dustin Myers with clients throughout the Greater Tampa Bay area.

Each day, Rosemary works to meet the needs of Orange Tint and Graphics’ clients. The company emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, addressing customer needs and creating a positive experience. “3M and Accent Distributing significantly helped us reach our target goals by providing our team with exceptional products, training, and support,” Rosemary said.

Rosemary’s advice to women who want to work in the window film industry: “As in many other industries today women in the film industry can have access to wide range of jobs at every level: research, management, marketing, and technical skill applications. Work remains to be done in diversifying and providing a gateway for all personnel in the shops, in supervision and on the decision-making level through good practices in hiring, training, advancement and benefits. I believe the future is bright for this industry and working in it has been a satisfying and rewarding experience at Orange Tint and Graphics.”

Learn more about Orange Tint and Graphics at orangetintandgraphics.com.

Epic Solar Control, LLC: Meet Owner and President Kelly Eder

As Owner and President of Epic Solar Control, LLC, Kelly Eder is passionate about school safety and what 3M™ Safety & Security Film can do for a campus. Protecting children and educational staff was the primary reason she started Epic Solar Control in 2018 and became a 3M™ Authorized Prestige Dealer.

Kelly’s husband, Chris, had started a business in a different industry but had years of window film experience. “From the very beginning, Chris taught me how to do it all,” Kelly said. “I can measure, cut film, prep, install and caulk windows. Today, I am very active in the educational sector for safety film within educational entities. I assist in sales, writing proposals, internal team growth, field and site visits and anywhere else my knowledge and skills can make a difference.”

Since the start, Epic Solar Control has been a woman-owned company in Texas. In 2020, Kelly founded a sister company, Epic Flat Glass, LLC, in the industrial and commercial glass glazing industry. Afterward, she earned her General Contractor’s License for Glass Glazing in Arizona.

Kelly’s advice to women who want to work in the window film industry: “I did a lot of self-learning and worked hard to identify relationships that would help me and my company grow. Having the best mentor available, my husband, it is important to me to continue to grow and build a women-owned branded business that serves as an example for my daughter and other female entrepreneurs.

Along the way, I have always taken advise when needed, ignored advice when not asked for, and found ways to navigate making the right decisions for my business. Part of making the right decisions came with redefining balance and learning from my mistakes. As a mother of three children and a female business owner, balance is not having a slotted time for the gym, the dogs, children and work. It means enjoying the ebbs and flows and allowing yourself to make mistakes. You are who you are as a result of your mistakes; don’t be afraid to make them.”

Learn more about Epic Solar Control, LLC at epicsolarcontrol.com.

D & D Sun Control: Meet Office Manager Erin Wakefield

In 2015, Erin Wakefield said she found herself looking for a career change. During her search, she learned of a tinting company, D & D Sun Control, that was hiring an office management position. “I have never looked back,” she said. As the office manager, Erin oversees the daily operations of the company, which provides a variety of film and wrap services throughout Arkansas from the company’s location in Little Rock.

“My favorite part of working in the industry is the knowledge I have gained of so many different film products and what they can accomplish,” she said. “If you’re needing security, privacy, decor or if you’re just plain hot, we can fix that.”

Erin said she also has enjoyed working with the people in the window film industry. “We all share one common goal – to help customers. It’s exciting to be a part of this every day.”

Erin’s advice to women who want to work in the window film industry: “Spare no effort and go for it! It has truly been a rewarding experience growing with D&D Sun Control over the past 6 years. In the past, this was considered a man’s job and installers were all men. Well, not anymore. There is room for women to advance in this industry – from the office to the shop. This has been the best six years of my life.”

Learn more about D & D Sun Control at www.danddsuncontrol.com.

2Zero Car Studio: Meet Business Partner Alysha Barnes

Alysha Barnes was looking for a career change when her youngest son started Kindergarten. She had spent several years in the bridal and jewelry industry.

“Having grown up in a car enthusiast family, I have always had a love for the cosmetics of cars. I jumped at the opportunity to become a business partner with 2Zero Car Studio,” she said.

Since 2018, she has worked alongside her business partner, Elliott McNair, to grow the studio from their Sarasota location off Clark Road. The company offers a full menu of vehicle cosmetic options, from tinting, paint protection, detailing, reconditioning, dent removal, wraps and more.

“I love working with all of the people that come through the door,” she said. “It’s exciting to help them find the perfect 3M products to fit their needs and to establish long term relationships that keep them coming back!”

Alysha’s advice to women who want to work in the window film industry: “If you have a passion for it, go for it! Women in this industry who are hardworking, and have a passion and knowledge, are unstoppable. More people are appreciating the diversity in all aspects of this industry. I have the privilege to have women working for me who are some of the best – from installers, to detail, to customer service!”

Learn more about 2Zero Car Studio at www.2zerocarstudio.com.