Napa small business owner offers a (tinted) window on the world

After trying a number of different solutions — none of which really worked to his satisfaction — he thought of window tinting.

“I went to get a quote at a tinting shop. At that time I couldn’t afford it, so I went to purchase some window tint film to do it myself,” he recalled.

It was harder than he expected, admitted Campos Rosas. “The tint I placed on my car came out horrible, but it did the job.”

Campos Rosas remained curious about learning how to professionally tint windows. One day, at a flea market, he met a man named Amir who does window tinting.

“I did not hesitate to approach him and ask how much would he charge me to teach me how to tint professionally like he was doing,” wrote Campos Rosas.

“We both stood quietly, and after 2-3 minutes he turned around to look at me and said in a serious tone, ‘If you really want to learn, meet me here every Sunday,’” for a whole year.

“The following Sunday I got to the flea market really early in the morning.” Amir was surprised to see him, recalled Campos Rosas.

“I’m here ready to learn,” he told Amir.

“He just laughed and had me start helping him,” said Campos Rosas. “I helped him every Sunday for a year.” Amir never charged him for his lessons.

“That is the story of how Cheveto Window Tint began.”

1. What was your childhood ambition?

As a child coming from a very humble family of five and a very limited income living in a small town of Guanajuato, I saw the need of our family to survive. At the age of 12 I decided to work part time in the mornings before going to school. In Mexico (students) have the option to go to school in the afternoons. My ambition at the age of 12 was to earn enough money to help my mother so she didn’t have to work so much, also to be able to buy my own food, clothes, shoes and a red car and last but not least, I wanted my nickname (Cheveto) to be known.

2. What’s the worst job you ever had?

The worst job is not having a job. Any type of job is a blessing for me. I have experienced hunger and no way to earn money. I don’t want to experience that ever again.

3. What job would you like to try/not try?

Try: The job I would like to become a business mentor/trainer. I would like to become an investor. I’m very passionate when it comes to that topic so I want to become better at it.

Not try: I wouldn’t want to go back to work for someone else’s company or dream. I did that for 28 years of my life in the past. I think that was more than enough. Now I want to focus on working for my own dreams and goals.

4. What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

The biggest challenge for my business every year is the winter season. Winter season means less sales for us. Also a challenge this year has been the rise of the cost for materials and tools I need for my business. In consequence I have had to raise my prices and it is a challenge to have affordable prices in critical times.

5. Who do you most admire in the business world?

I admire sales trainer and consultant Grant Cardone.

6. What’s one thing Napa could do to help local businesses?

More recommendation and publication of local businesses so people can buy at local businesses.

7. If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Have my materials, tools, and products be more affordable to me so I can keep serving my community with affordable prices.

8. What’s your favorite charity or nonprofit?

ParentsCAN, Napa County Library, Napa County Library literacy program, Napa food bank.

9. What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

At an early time in my life I became an alcoholic and drug addict. I struggled with that illness for eight years. I thank God I have been almost 16 years clean without a drop of alcohol and free of drugs.

10. What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

I would like to accomplish financial freedom.

Cheveto Window Tint is located at 1948 Iroquois St., Napa, 707-934-7632, chevetonapa.com