Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Yelle.
Hi Kristy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
The Covid era of 2020 pushed many people out of their comfort zones, including us! Although my husband had been in and out of the window film industry for 20 years, he had always worked for other individuals or been in retail management, neither of which made him very happy. When Covid hit, and businesses shut down, we realized we were tired of being dependent on someone else’s business direction for success and decided to take matters into our own hands. I have a marketing and business administration background. I have worked in various fields, from bookkeeping to office administration, and I knew we could take this launch together and succeed! The journey has been amazing, and we have gone from a small operation in 2020, barely grossing $10k in revenue, to closing out 2022 with over $200k in revenue! We have been spotlighted in Window Film Magazine numerous times, won Dealer of the Quarter and Dealer of the Year from our Manufacturer, and recently appointed me to the Board of the International Window Film Association. We have hired two employees and are currently seeking to hire at least 3 more; and have a shop that should be complete and available to move in within the month! We have started to accomplish our vision of giving back to the community that supports us by sponsoring events, supporting non-profits, and volunteering in multiple areas.
Would it have been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Every road is never really smooth when it comes to small business ownership. However, I would never change again because I am walking the path with my best friend! As new business owners, it’s hard to know what you need to learn, so we learn as we go and seek the advice of veterans or veterans with successful business models, not in our industry. Knowing where to spend our money and budgeting certain amounts would be a struggle, as well as the best way to onboard and train new employees. It’s also hard when the local competition starts watching everything you do and attempts to imitate it, so being at the forefront of everything becomes even more important. Who has time to sleep?!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Palmetto Protection Films, LLC?
My husband and I founded Palmetto Protection Films in June 2020. We specialize in residential and commercial window film applications and automotive and RV window tinting. For Residential and Commercial, we offer solar control solutions to reduce the heat coming into your home and block 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. We also offer Safety & Security solutions which are great for deterring theft and providing wind-borne debris mitigation from storm impacts. There is also a decorative component that can enhance your home’s aesthetic, provide privacy, and improve curb appeal! For Automotive & RV, we offer solar control to reduce the heat coming into the vehicle. It also adds privacy, and in the event of an accident, it protects by keeping shattered pieces of glass together. We put a professional foot forward and operate with honesty and integrity. We are family owned and operated, and when we hire employees, they become part of our family! We seek to give back continuously and support the Grand Strand Area in any way we can. We are most proud of how we have grown and the success we have achieved, and we can pass that on to others through our service and volunteerism, as well as providing for the employees we hire and their families. We are passionate about what we do and strive for 100% customer satisfaction! We are open books that will answer all questions related to the window film industry. We are constantly learning as things advance and achieve certifications that only some people in our area are even attempting.
What are your plans for the future?
We have some new services that we will be adding, such as entirely customizable decorative film options, windshield protection, and paint protection film! We plan to continue sponsoring and supporting non-profits in the area, and we have events scheduled every month of 2023! We are continuing to expand and add employees.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://palmettoprotectionfilms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palmettoprotectionfilms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PalmettoProtectionFilms/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/palmetto-protection-films/
