Shade Master Window Tint Offers High-Quality Automotive, Commercial & Residential Services
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
Marshall Clevenger at Shade Master Window Tint in Plymouth is exactly like his business’ name proclaims – he is a master when it comes to window tinting. Since 1996, Clevenger has worked in the window tinting business.
He got his first job in window tinting at 16, where he discovered he really enjoyed the job. He got into it originally because it was a job and he got to work on cars, but it turned into something much more than that. A few years later, he ended up working for a commercial window tint company in Indianapolis, doing residential window tinting. After that endeavor, he packed his bags and headed to New York, where he got married. A couple of years after that, he and his wife moved back to the area, settling in Plymouth. He decided to open his own window tinting business in Bourbon in 2001. After 13 years at that location, Shade Master Window Tint moved to its current location in Plymouth.
“[Window tinting] is a skill set that I had,” Clevenger says. “When I moved up here, my wife is a dental hygienist, and no one was really doing window tint in the area. It’s a small market, but I thought I’d give it a shot.”
For the first 10 years of the business, Clevenger worked alone. It made him happy, but when he found himself turning down more and more work opportunities, he realized that it was time to expand the business. He was able to call on some people he thought would be good for the job, and he started the team soon after, beginning training for his new employees.
“It takes eight to nine months to train someone before I turn them loose,” he says. “They don’t become a master installer for three to four years. It takes a long time to train people.”
Today, he employs two other master installers, and he has one basic installer. With additional employees, Shade Master Window Tint was able to expand and serve a larger area geographically. Today, they do work as far south as Knoxville, Tennessee, where they recently opened a branch of their business. Otherwise, they serve from Indianapolis to as far west as Chicago and as far north as Michigan.
Not only is their service range impressive, but the services Clevenger and his team offer are sure to impress. In a rare combination, Shade Master Window Tint offers automotive, commercial and residential window tint or perhaps even a car window shade.
“It makes a more efficient home or workspace,” Clevenger says. “People here have a beautiful view of the lake, but they have to close their blinds because of the heat. The product that we put on makes it so they don’t have to do that.”
The commercial window films that they can apply can stop 85% of the heat that comes through the windows. By stopping all that excess heat, people can enjoy their view of the lake in a much cooler environment. With their automotive window tint, people can reduce UV light in their headlights and taillights by 100%. It also prevents scratches and road debris damage. Their window tint products are all from brands made in the United States.
The team works to make sure that they serve the community in more ways than just the business. Each and every one of Clevenger’s employees give back through volunteer work or serving on a local board. Clevenger himself serves on the Discover Plymouth board. He tries to emphasize how important the community is to him.
“I think it’s important to know that we are just completely local,” he says. “I try to hire people that live in the area. We have guys in Winamac, Plymouth, Knoxville. We really try to be a part of the community the best we can.”
Their goodwill came in especially helpful when Plymouth experienced a flood in recent years. When they saw a need in the community, Clevenger did not hesitate in opening up their office spaces to help out.
“We turned our offices over to the community foundation for flood relief efforts, as well as [tried] to help alleviate some of the suffering in the area,” Clevenger says. “To me, that’s the least you can do.”
For more information about their other products, you can visit them online at shademasterwindowtint.com. There, you can book an appointment or check out estimates. For photos of their recent work, you can visit them on Facebook by searching “Shade Master Window Tint.” You can also give them a call at 574-780-2301. The main shop is located at 108 N Michigan Street in Plymouth. They have additional locations in Rochester and North Manchester.
