Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Macdonald.
Hi Desiree, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I landed my first job at rent a tire at the age of 18, working there for a few months as sales, the manager from tires to you hired me on site. I started my new journey once again in the industry of rims/tires, learning as I go, also firsthand with clients, any mistake was accounted/paid for, which made it more memorable for me to learn my mistakes. As things didn’t end to well at tires to you, I jumped to an open-world custom tire shop, not a tire chain type of vibe. I started as a window installer, I knew nothing, as each day progressed, so did my unknowing skill/passion for window tinting; I was going through a lot of emotions at the time, which I used to motivate me to be better, to soak up the knowledge, I began to start running the company, I learned all the ins/outs, who to call, how much tires and rims go for, I’m also financing clients, advertising, speaking for the company, as I’m still window tinting. This went on for three years, 9am to 7/10pm six days a week. Personal life? Sunday was my cleaning day to do choirs. I have a dog which has stuck by my side through it all. My mom and dad are divorced since I was five, they live on the opposite sides of town.
So my only dedication was being better, I didn’t know exactly where I was going with life at the time but all I knew is that I was going. Things didn’t turn out well once again after so many years of dedication, the appreciation and value of myself didn’t equivalent to my profit earnings. I tried to open my own, however there was no guidance, not that much funds, and the whole time, the little help I did have, was actually guiding me to help them in the long run. I opened my own little shop, started working offering tint, tires & rims. This lasted about six months until one day my landlord demanded me to move out, only gave me 1 week, I decided to move out the 3rd day. As that day arrived, he had changed the locks, also called the cops put a restraining order on me. From there, I was humiliated, ashamed, disappointed, torn into two. All that I have been working for was snatched right in front of my eyes, yes I could have fought but instead. I moved on. I moved to bastrop, which is where I started working as an extra hand for mechanics, their plan was to open a third shop in the accessory field which included tint, tires & more. I helped remodel the new shop, prepped it up to get ready for opening day. In the meantime I was doing any side jobs they had available to get by in the meantime, I left my Austin life on pause, I didn’t communicate with anyone, I started a new life in my eyes.
As the shop opened, I was running it and the only worker yet being watched. All for a $11/hr pay. Which wasn’t acceptable, I noticed fast food places were making more than me yet I’m doing intensive labor. I was hurt once again disappointed because I could barely afford anything. Yet I’m doing calculations of everything I’ve earned vs how much overhead for the shop was and still didn’t make any sense. I left, came back to Austin once again, half a year later, I resumed where I left, tried that scene of life again, running the custom shop, same crap different day, being judged for no reason or watched as if I am a thief. This only lasted me six months, as time continued I desperately looked elsewhere for a window installer position, I found 1 reliable and consistent job offer, I’ve never worked “commission based” so I was nervous, I’m used to the weekly cash set pay. Boom, what do you know, I’m getting situated in, I’m the only women per usual, I learn even more, I’m there perfecting my skills, using my pain and hunger to motivate me, I want more, I know there’s more, I know I’m close to whatever it is I deserve, that’s meant for me. It’s been a year now that I’ve been working at this tint shop, constantly getting picked on from the guys because I work too fast, I’m selfish, I’m young, I’m a girl, they were lazy, slackers, complainers, who has time for that. Do you want to make money or not??? I was able to save money and still be able to afford life.
As life went on, I left there as well to make more money. It took me another two years to fully situate myself with what you call life, I had saved what I could from every car I was tinting out of my garage as that was a side hustle for me. Things literally changed in a blink of an eye, the next day you know it I’m driving around Austin looking for places to rent a shop, I didn’t know exactly what order to do things in, I found a location which I’m at today. Off 35/290 right past capital plaza. I was able to start small with one single bay, I opened up Sept. 1, 2020. I have myself a full month to gather all the supplies and equipment I need for the tire shop. Time was ticking a name was needed, I came to the conclusion I’m going to offer tint, tires & rim why not name it tint, tires & more. At last, I did everything I needed for this moment, my parents watch and listen from a distance but aren’t financially helping they’re there for emotional support I like to say. Since the day I opened, I haven’t had to help the shop, it’s been running itself since day one. I had just my best friend and I working. As we grew, I was able to afford the two extra bays so we expanded.
In the midst of all this, I even opened a second location, as all of this is happening I’m only using the profits to reinvest, and purchase inventory to keep in stock, you’ll never have everything but at least I have something. As of now, I’ve been here two years, I’ve lost friends, gained friends, I’ve learned so much and one thing I do know is, to never take anything personally. I’ve focused myself on my shop this whole Two years if you checked out pictures of progress you’d see. Now I’m in a position to where tint, tires & more is trending, I know this shop will be the next big thing. I’m working to have this shop the limelight of Austin, what Dallas shops or Houston shops provide I want to service that here in Austin, no need to drive over there for a good deal when you can just come here!! Small staff but we know how to welcome you and satisfy you.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My struggles consisted of:
Being a women.
Being young.
Rumors which lead to a judgment which leads to not much opportunity.
Simple-minded people.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Tint, tires & more is in the automotive field, not only do we service stock vehicles, we also specialize in custom modifications, aftermarket rims, tires, drops, lifts and also tints of course! We offer affordable pricing with financing options, generally a fast turnaround on anything requested to be done. I personally do window tint, as well as be customer service through the phone and social media, I also make sure we have everything we need in stock, watch over everything of course. Austin knows me for window tint, I’m the go-to, the quality, people specifically ask for me to tint their vehicle. What I like to think sets me apart is how local were yet we have a ton in stock. Vogue tires are a hit here in Austin in the custom world, I keep them in stock ALWAYS, as well as I have 80+ sets of wheels to choose from, tuner car, off-road look, big rim scene, to casual everyday driving. You name it I have it and if I don’t I make amends to make it happen! I’m pushing and proud to offer the brand Forgiato.
Yes, there are dealers here but let’s be real, where can you pull up and get this exotic brand from besides Houston or Dallas? Where do you go to get quality same-day service for tint, where in Austin that you can do both in one day? I want everyone to know when they come here, it’s a welcoming vibe, we try our best to offer an in and out service, not like a leading tire chain industry where you give them your keys and not see the work behind closed doors, our shop is clean and always up to date. If you go to discount tire or tires to you there’s a long wait, but here our job is to get you in and out in a timely manner; we enjoy servicing you all, I really want to set the standards here that I picky and the shop must be squeaky tight. If you want to compare me to others, I’d say I’m well-rounded, my next offering to the public will be an alignment machine. And to pull all this off in two years, I feel I’ve achieved every goal I set for myself.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I learned that no matter what’s going on in this world, life doesn’t stop. Cars still drive, and services are still needed.
Pricing:
- Window tint starting @ $160
- Balance/rotation @ $80
- New tires starting @ $75
- Leveling kits parts/labor @ $500
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Tinttires_moreatx
- Facebook: Tint, tires & more
- Youtube: Tinttiresmore
- Yelp: Tint, tires & more
Image Credits
Desiree Macdonald Tint tires & more Forgiato
