A Clearer View on the Road Ahead

How a Family Legacy of Craftsmanship Became One of the Community’s Most Trusted Automotive Tint and Protection Shops

The sun was barely climbing over the rooftops when a silver SUV rolled into the lot of East Side Tint Shop, its paint still carrying the soft haze of morning dew. Roxanna stepped outside with a smile that suggested she had seen this moment many times before. The driver lowered his window and said what so many customers say when they arrive for the first time. “My friend told me this is the only place I should go.”

For Roxanna, that simple sentence still carries weight. It represents trust, reputation, and the kind of word of mouth that cannot be bought or faked. Inside the workshop, her husband was already preparing his tools, moving with the quiet confidence of someone who has spent more than half his life perfecting his craft. The shop smelled faintly of fresh film and clean metal, a reminder that every day brings a new chance to protect a vehicle and impress a customer.

This is how the day begins at East Side Tint Shop. No theatrics, no corporate machinery. Just a family doing what they do best, one car at a time.

Rooted in a Family Tradition of Hands, Tools, and Grit

Long before East Side Tint Shop opened its doors, the work lived in Roxanna’s husband’s hands. He was a kid when he first learned how to tint windows, standing beside his father and brothers as they shaped film and smoothed out edges in cars that came and went from the family’s workspace. What started as a childhood chore became a calling that never left him.

“He has been doing this since he was a kid,” Roxanna said, "Over twenty years. He grew up in a family that did this. His dad did it, and his brothers do it, so it was just like the family business.”

For many years, he worked inside dealerships across Brandon and the surrounding areas, tinting new vehicles before they were delivered to buyers. Then the world shifted. When the pandemic hit, supply chain issues swelled. Microchips vanished from the market, inventory froze, and dealership lots turned into parking spaces for cars that could not be completed. Work slowed to a crawl.

Instead of letting the uncertainty swallow them, he and Roxanna made a move that would change their lives. They opened their own shop. It was not a glamorous moment. It was a survival decision, but also a leap of faith into a future that had room for their own standards, their own values, and their own customers.

“During COVID, there were no computer chips for vehicles, so there was no inventory,” Roxanna explained. “He had to open his own business.”

In a time when many businesses were closing, theirs was just beginning to take shape.

A Commitment That Refuses to Cut Corners

Some businesses grow through marketing. Others grow through personality. East Side Tint Shop grows through obsession. Careful, meticulous, relentless obsession.

When Roxanna talks about her husband’s work ethic, she does not soften it or wrap it in corporate language. She says it plainly because it is part of their everyday life.

“My husband is a perfectionist,” she said. “He is not going to let a vehicle go out if it is not to his liking one hundred percent. Even if he has to do it over. If he does not like it, he will not release the vehicle.”

That high standard is not a slogan. Customers feel it the moment they see their finished car. It is why people come back for their second, third, or fourth vehicle and why they recommend the shop to family and friends. Perfectionism is not always glamorous in the moment. It means redoing work, spending more time, and turning away shortcuts. But in the tinting world, perfection shows. A clean edge. A bubble-free finish. A flawless coat of ceramic protection that makes the paint look new again.

Roxanna sees the results in every review. “We have a five-star rating on Google,” she said. “A lot of people tell me they come to us because of our five-star rating.”

Customers do not only want tint. They want trust. At East Side Tint Shop, trust is the product as much as the service.

Riding Out Tough Times With Transparency and Heart

Running a family business always comes with waves. Some years bring smooth waters. Others test your balance. Today, Roxanna openly acknowledges that things are challenging.

“Right now, people are scared to spend their money because of the tariffs and all that,” she said. “Business has been slower than usual.”

She does not sugarcoat it. She and her husband feel every high and low directly. There is no corporate cushion, no national brand to absorb the impact. But they keep going because their work still matters to the people who walk through their door. They keep going because this business is not just a job, it is a legacy and a livelihood.

And in a world of fast fixes and sales-driven tactics, East Side Tint Shop refuses to pressure anyone. Roxanna takes pride in that. “We focus on providing quality customer service and not being too pushy,” she said. “We allow people to choose whatever is convenient for them.”

It is old-fashioned in the best possible way. Respect. Honesty. Straightforward pricing. The kind of service that builds trust instead of forcing a sale.

Craftsmanship That Goes Beyond Tint and Shine

Today, East Side Tint Shop offers a clean menu of services that enhance and protect vehicles. The team specializes in automotive window tinting, which helps reduce heat, improve privacy, and protect interior materials from UV damage. They also offer paint protection and ceramic coating for drivers who want to preserve the shine and durability of their vehicle’s exterior.

Although their online presence is modest, Roxanna admits that customer feedback does the heavy lifting.

“We do ads on Facebook, and it has helped a lot,” she said. “But honestly, it is the referrals and repeat customers that keep us busy.”

The shop still posts on Facebook and Instagram, but Roxanna laughs about their learning curve with social media. “We do not post a lot like we should,” she said. “I guess we are old.”

Their website provides a place for new customers to learn more, but the heart of their growth has always been offline, in conversations between neighbors and coworkers.

The Human Touch Behind Every Finished Car

What makes East Side Tint Shop special has little to do with equipment or film brands. It comes from the character of the people running it. When Roxanna speaks about her business, three things stand out: pride, humility, and an unwavering belief in treating people well.

“We are here to provide good service for them,” she said. Simple words. Genuine intent.

When asked where she hopes to see the business six to twelve months from now, she answers without hesitation. “Busy,” she said, with a small laugh that carries both hope and determination.

Her goals are not extravagant. She is not seeking rapid expansion or franchising. She wants steady work, satisfied customers, and a thriving shop where her husband can continue doing what he loves.

That modesty is part of what makes the business approachable. Customers feel like they are walking into a homegrown shop that cares about each vehicle as if it belonged to family.

Where Good Work Builds Community

East Side Tint Shop has earned its place in the community for a simple reason. They deliver exactly what they promise. No shortcuts. No upsell tricks. No rush jobs. Customers quickly understand that their vehicle is in the hands of someone who cares deeply about quality.

People love them because they feel valued. They feel respected. They feel like someone is looking out for their car and their wallet.

In a time when many businesses prioritize speed and volume, East Side Tint Shop stands out for choosing a different path. They choose craftsmanship. They choose honesty. They choose relationships.

That kind of service always speaks louder than advertising.

A Clear Road Forward

As the day winds down, the silver SUV that arrived that morning pulls away, its new tint glinting softly in the sun. Roxanna waves, the driver gives a thumbs up, and the shop gets ready for the next car. It is a rhythm they know well, and one they hope continues for many years.

For anyone looking to protect their vehicle and support a family-owned business built on integrity, East Side Tint Shop is worth the visit.

Learn more or book an appointment through their website at theeastsidetintshop.com or connect with them on Facebook at The Eastside Tint Shop and Instagram at @theeastsidetint.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.