China PE Protective Film

March 8th marks International Women’s Day, an annual worldwide celebration of women’s achievements. In honor of this, Window Film magazine spoke to numerous female dealers, installers, CEOs and product specialists from the window film, paint protection film (PPF) and vinyl industries to recognize their personal and professional endeavors.

They may have landed in the business by accident, but they’re here and paving the way for future generations of women to find opportunity in this male-dominated industry. Get to know just a few of these amazing women below, whom we asked about their journey to and through the industry, as well as questions about their life outside of their careers. For the full article, look to the March/April issue of Window Film magazine.

Carole Lockwood

What attracted you to the window film industry?

“Learning a new skill provided me an opportunity to support myself and my family. It was fun and challenging. I could meet new people, learn new skills and have flexible hours. It’s a great lifestyle … opened a whole new world to me. I found I really loved my job.” –Carole Lockwood, owner, The Tint Shop Texas, Tyler, Texas

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing?

“Probably selling trucks. I had a short stint selling them for 10 months, and I loved it. That’s why I wanted a product to sell to that market.” –Maddison Lawrence, owner, Slick Azz Protective Coatings, Brisbane, Australia

Maddison Lawrence

“Finishing training as a makeup artist.” –Lindsay Webdell, channel market manager – Americas, Saint-Gobain Solar Gard, San Diego

What’s something about you no one knows?

“I have a dream to be an astronaut. I want to see and view the Earth from outer space.” –Saisamorn Channapa, managing director, Techno-Sell (Frey) Co., Ltd, Bangkok, Thailand

“I like flowers and classical music.” –Sharon Bronson, owner, DarthShader Tint & Vinyl, Orlando

“As a young child (I would guess around 5 years old) growing up in a suburb of Seattle, I became fascinated (obsessed) with the idea of having a pet cow. My older sister and mother would ask me tough questions: ‘Where would the cow live?’ to which I had to think carefully. Where would my pet cow live? At the time, ‘in my room’ seemed like a perfectly appropriate answer. As an adult looking back on this, I realize this was the beginning of my having to think outside of the box for how I could tackle future big challenges.” –Katherine Becher, owner and creative director, Wicked Wraps, Mukilteo, Wash.

Tamara Baumann

“I don’t really like being the center of attention. I seem flashy and loud with the way I carry myself sometimes, but, in all honesty, I like to be behind the scenes making things happen much more than I like being out on the front lines. I like to direct and be in charge, but I can be somewhat introverted from time to time and enjoy being a home body.” –Tamara Baumann, owner, UnderWraps, Huntington Beach, Calf.

“I drive a vintage midget race car with my dad. We are in a car club where we actually get to race these old cars in exhibition type races. For those into sprint car racing, I have even raced at the legendary Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa and was lucky enough to meet ‘Cappy’ Capitani on several occasions. I am one of only two or three women drivers in the club. The rest of the club is a bunch of ‘old guys’ like my dad, and they welcome me with open arms and we have a great time.” –Molly Waters, senior technical specialist, Avery Dennison, Dallas

“I’m a Yankee Doodle sweetheart, born on the Fourth of July. I have an identical twin sister, Cindy (yes, there’s two of me). My twin sister and I had our baby girls on the exact same day—just 12 hours apart.” –Sylvia C. Meza, regional sales manager, Reflek Technologies, Long Beach, Calif.

Carol Borow

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

“I took a public speaking course while in school. Part of the assignment was to make an outline of the speech and then present it. I went up to the podium and gave my speech. Guess I didn’t hear the part about the outline. Well, the teacher yelled at me, embarrassed me in front of the class. I went home and literally wanted my dad to harm this teacher. At that point, my father gave me advice that I still value. He told me to tell the teacher that I had made an error, but he had no right to embarrass me. My father said, ‘Stick up for yourself, and don’t let people step on you. Stand tall and believe in yourself. You can’t rely on others to fight your battles.’

So, I told the teacher, ‘I made a mistake, but you shouldn’t have embarrassed me in front of the class. Don’t ever speak to me like that again.’ I said it in a calm and respectful manner. I remember that lesson pretty much every day.” –Carol Borow, president, CHB Industries, Smithtown, N.Y.