The Ageless Window Tinter
Updated:
I spoke with Bob last week. He's fine after a scare of having a mini-stroke.
He's still willing to hang a window or two if I need him!
Mike Feldman
###
It was 1997 when I first met with my Raleigh-Durham 3M Dealer, Bob Lemoine.
We met at a hamburger joint near downtown Raleigh and I was surprised when an "older" gentleman, sat down across from me with a folder filled with pictures of unknown relevance, that I was certain I'd very quickly discover.
He was dressed casually, much like a construction worker, and I was guessing him to be at least 73 years old if a day.
I hardly got a word in edge-wise, which is pretty extraordinary, particularly when the subject leads to window film.
He gave me a short history of the window film world that I had never heard before going way back to the 1950's when he'd worked for Martin Processing (later to become CP Films)
He had been National Sales Manager and somehow had wound up in Florida working for Bob Bond, the 3M distributor of window films in Florida throughout the 80's and 1990's. He "retired" to NC where he opened his own dealership at the ripe age of 67 or so.
He did his own selling and installations.
He let loose a barrage of complaints about the 3M window film, and I sat there and listened while he pulled one photograph after another out of that folder. He expected me to become defensive like many of my predecessors who typically held on to their brand arrogance. Nothing phased me at all since 99% of what he said was spot on!
His dealership never bought enough to keep the St. Paulies happy. They figured Raleigh Durham should be doing about ten times more than Bob was doing, or ever could do.
While I had anything to do with it, I simply let him be.
Bob hung up his squeegee back in 2004 or so. I never lost contact with him and I spoke to him recently.
He knew I left 3M last year and had called me to give his encouragement. He also sent me clippings concerning which ladders I should have "my guys" use, and I kidded him that he might wish to consider coming down to Tampa as a paid consultant!
He laughed at the suggestion.
I'd take one Bob Lemoine over a hundred empty suits. His frankness and knowledge and ability to call a "spade a spade."
Bob's wife Edie passed a few months back and I called him to give my condolences. He was as animated as ever asking me how I was doing as a dealer? I told him and no one has ever been more gracious in his comments and happiness for my success. Of course, he reminded me to "stay on the ball!! Never Ever let up!!" He also had a few choice words for my old company, which at this juncture, might be better left to your imagination.
No matter how the world treats us I often think of Bob. He might not have been the biggest dealer in the world, but he was certainly the most unique and determined individual I have ever met.
Just in case he changes his mind; there's a installer position waiting for you right here in Tampa Bay!
Mike Feldman
Ageless!
I spoke with Bob last week. He's fine after a scare of having a mini-stroke.
He's still willing to hang a window or two if I need him!
Mike Feldman
###
It was 1997 when I first met with my Raleigh-Durham 3M Dealer, Bob Lemoine.
We met at a hamburger joint near downtown Raleigh and I was surprised when an "older" gentleman, sat down across from me with a folder filled with pictures of unknown relevance, that I was certain I'd very quickly discover.
He was dressed casually, much like a construction worker, and I was guessing him to be at least 73 years old if a day.
I hardly got a word in edge-wise, which is pretty extraordinary, particularly when the subject leads to window film.
He gave me a short history of the window film world that I had never heard before going way back to the 1950's when he'd worked for Martin Processing (later to become CP Films)
He had been National Sales Manager and somehow had wound up in Florida working for Bob Bond, the 3M distributor of window films in Florida throughout the 80's and 1990's. He "retired" to NC where he opened his own dealership at the ripe age of 67 or so.
He did his own selling and installations.
He let loose a barrage of complaints about the 3M window film, and I sat there and listened while he pulled one photograph after another out of that folder. He expected me to become defensive like many of my predecessors who typically held on to their brand arrogance. Nothing phased me at all since 99% of what he said was spot on!
His dealership never bought enough to keep the St. Paulies happy. They figured Raleigh Durham should be doing about ten times more than Bob was doing, or ever could do.
While I had anything to do with it, I simply let him be.
Bob hung up his squeegee back in 2004 or so. I never lost contact with him and I spoke to him recently.
He knew I left 3M last year and had called me to give his encouragement. He also sent me clippings concerning which ladders I should have "my guys" use, and I kidded him that he might wish to consider coming down to Tampa as a paid consultant!
He laughed at the suggestion.
I'd take one Bob Lemoine over a hundred empty suits. His frankness and knowledge and ability to call a "spade a spade."
Bob's wife Edie passed a few months back and I called him to give my condolences. He was as animated as ever asking me how I was doing as a dealer? I told him and no one has ever been more gracious in his comments and happiness for my success. Of course, he reminded me to "stay on the ball!! Never Ever let up!!" He also had a few choice words for my old company, which at this juncture, might be better left to your imagination.
No matter how the world treats us I often think of Bob. He might not have been the biggest dealer in the world, but he was certainly the most unique and determined individual I have ever met.
Just in case he changes his mind; there's a installer position waiting for you right here in Tampa Bay!
Mike Feldman
Ageless!
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