We’re looking forward to introducing you to Salvatore (Tory) Marino jr. Check out our conversation below.
Salvatore (Tory), we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
Wow. Every one of these questions had me pause and some had me doing some self reflection.
Who am I learning from right now? Honestly? My son.
I’m 52 years old right now, my boy is 14. Ever since he could speak, he’s used some of the phrases and words that I use on occasion. More often than not, I really don’t like some of the things I hear, and the imperative need to change this has resulted in some serious self reflection that is not a very fun thing.
He may not be aware that I learn from him, but that is the truth.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Salvatore Marino Jr. but most people call me “Tory”. I’m married to my wife of 23 years, and we have a 14 year old son.
I put together a small business called Elite Window Washing in 2005 because I was kind of forced to or go hungry. Honestly at the end of the day, in my industry, usually you will get the same result no matter who someone decides to use: clean windows.
What I believe makes my little rag tag outfit unique, is the fact that we care about people. When someone really does care, it will show in everything that they do. The windows will pretty much clean themselves if that statement is true.
As a logo, I chose my family crest to show that my name is attached to everything I do. In my opinion, it shows accountability for any mistakes that are made, so that they will know that if ever we or I drop the ball, I will make it right.
On large commercial jobs, or construction cleans its even more evident. No matter how large the teams may be on those jobs, the camaraderie between us helps us enjoy the work we do while innovating new and safer methods of execution making us more efficient and beating every deadline given us.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship I have with God.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Taking a chance on someone who was freshly out of being incarcerated back in 2006. I had mainly residential accounts at that time. On the very first day, when he showed up an hour late and I met him outside the home I noticed he was pale as a ghost and appeared to have lost 30 pounds in just a couple days! The man couldn’t keep still, and got offended that I asked him if he was loaded.
So, like a dummy I let him start working on the inside. After about 30 seconds, I just couldn’t let it slide and knew I was making a mistake letting him work.
As I went inside to where he was at, I caught him trying to steel one of the clients husbands’ expensive watches that he collects!
I had to physically remove him from the house, which was not easy and I ended up losing my client because I broke some furniture when that was happening. The police were called, and he threatened to sue me. He was gone by the time the police came. Even tho the lady was happy nothing was stolen, I was a complete moron for letting him in the house and that was completely my fault. That never should have happened. That was an epic fail.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Probably about being a “Green” company that so many were saying they were because they, like myself would use purified water to clean windows with.
What’s not mentioned is, how the filters were use are made, the carbon fiber that the poles are made out of or the aluminum that the poles are made out of. The type of acids we used to clean stained glass.
Or what about the plastic housing for the filters that we use and I don’t think there’s very many window cleaners driving and electric car either and don’t get me started on that those aren’t green either not entirely.
There’s nothing green about it.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That i love my son. That i was loyal to my family and friends even when it wasn’t convenient to do so.
That i always tried to do what was right, and when i was wrong i never was scared to face the consequences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ewindowwashing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitewindowwashingsandiego/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elitewindowwashingsandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliteWindowWashingWindowCleaningInSanDiego
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@elitewindowwashingsandiego?si=cJDKuif5nZ6wwWFo
