Written by Tommy Silva, Founder of Hawaii’s T&T Tinting Specialists; edited by Chris Collier, Editorial Director of Loop Magazine
Yeah … I guess you could say I’ve spent my entire life tinting and working in the window film industry. I first picked up an X-Acto knife and some window film at 17 years old in 1977. And I’ve been at it ever since.
My Ohana
Today, at 65 and nearly fully retired, I realize how few people have spent 48 years or more in the window film industry. Sadly, many of those who did are no longer with us. The loss of so many loved ones, including my mom, dad, and countless friends, has pushed me to reflect deeply on my own mortality.
When I started out, I knew I didn’t want to spend my entire life working. I didn’t want to miss out on my ‘golden years’ stuck in an installation bay and away from my beautiful wife, Teri. When I turned 55, I started searching for the exit sign. It felt like the right time to focus on what I wanted to do each day, instead of what I had to do.
I had built a successful business, but I knew I needed a different path forward with no children or family members to pass the tinting baton to. Thankfully, I was surrounded by a solid team of dedicated people who had become my ohana: family. They stood by me through the ups and downs, weathering the good, the bad, and the ugly. My greatest challenge, and highest priority, was finding a way to exit with grace, ensuring their futures were secure.
My Exit Plan
After exploring my exit options, three stood out:
1. A third-party sale;
2. An internal sale to a couple of employees;
3. or establishing an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)
After thoroughly evaluating each option, it became clear that the ESOP was the best choice, allowing me to exit the business while ensuring it remained in the capable hands of those who deserved it most.
Five years ago, at 60 years old, I executed the ESOP. This agreement ensured a long-term, perpetual future for T&T Tinting while allowing me to gradually transition out of the business. I’ve worked closely with the management team, providing guidance and training.
During this time, I’ve prepared Kyle Horimoto, a T&T veteran and former Graphics Division Manager, to step into the role of CEO, and Tracy Rodrigues, a T&T veteran and former Contracting Division Logistics Manager, to take on the role of President.
My Growing Pains
Letting go of the reins was tough, but I had complete confidence in the management team we had built over the past decade. They had already proven their abilities by successfully running their own divisions for years.
However, the hardest part of stepping away and retiring has been watching from the sidelines as they make decisions, sometimes differently than I would. Letting go of that control is never easy.
Some of their choices led to great results, while others didn’t turn out as well. But as long as the outcomes uphold T&T’s legacy and align with our established policies and procedures, I’ve had to embrace the challenging skill of staying in my own lane. It’s about allowing them to grow into their roles as leaders, take on new responsibilities, earn the crew's respect, and, yes, make mistakes and learn from them, just as I once did.
The ESOP plan allowed me to transition into retirement at my own pace. In the first year, I gradually scaled back from my usual five-to-seven-day work weeks to three-day work weeks. By the second year, I reduced my involvement to just one day per week. Now, I participate only sporadically, stepping in for specific trainings, meetings, events, and conferences.
Letting go is challenging but a necessary part of the process.
My New Life
What does retirement feel like? It’s an incredibly refreshing change and a huge relief after carrying the weight of running T&T for 40 years. For decades, I was financially responsible for 32 employees’ semi-monthly paychecks and the monthly lease payments for two large shop spaces.
On top of that, I managed taxes, insurance policies, supplier payments, and vendor obligations, all while navigating the complexities of healthcare, OSHA, safety regulations, licensing, contracts, banks, and more.
I didn’t realize the cumulative toll business ownership had taken on me until that weight was finally lifted. It felt like 20 tons of concrete being removed from my shoulders.
My personal goals focus on staying healthy and active. As a cancer survivor, I know health is by far our greatest asset and deserves the same dedication as work or business. Every morning at 5:30 a.m., I hit the UFC Gym in Mililani Town with my amazing wife, Teri, to keep moving forward.
Together, Teri and I are eager to see more of the world, traveling as much as possible, whether on our own or with family and friends. At home, I’m learning to relax and enjoy my hobbies, like gardening, caring for our lawn and plants, working on our cars, and spending more time at the beach. I’m especially looking forward to paddleboarding more often and catching more sunsets from different beaches on Oahu.
I’ve also started reconnecting with old friends, childhood pals, classmates, business associates, and window film dealers who have become part of my ever growing ohana. Whether it’s over a relaxing lunch or traveling together to places like Cabo, Las Vegas, or Europe, this next chapter is all about embracing and enjoying life.
I'm incredibly grateful to God for the hard work, success, and sacrifices that brought us to a healthy, well-planned retirement. Having a solid, loving, and understanding life partner like my Teri, who has been by my side for the past 44 years, has been an incredible part of making this possible. This next chapter is shaping up to be our most exciting yet, and we can't wait to experience it all.
My Two Cents
If you’re a window film professional eyeing the exit sign, here’s some advice:
Retirement might seem like a distant dream when you’re young, but it sneaks up faster than you think. One day, I was a 17-year-old mobile tinter, and the next, I was 55, running one of the largest tinting businesses in the United States.
I started planning then, but it was almost too late. Don’t make the same mistake—start early.
Work hard. Save wisely. Plan your exit strategy. Reap the rewards.
