Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Martin.
Scott, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was a partner at another glazing company late 1970’s. We designed and extruded our own storefront and built skylights. One thing I’m proud of doing was acquiring major account status to purchase glass directly from the manufacturer. Buying direct from Ford glass was impossible for even a large glass shop, you had to do the volume of ‘glass fabricators’ and Ford’s sales division had previously refused to sell to us, we weren’t big enough. However, we were doing the glass work on a custom home for one of the board of directors at Ford who had previously scolded my boss/partner for past delays and instructed him to personally call his point man at Ford if any supply problems occurred in the future. I used this opportunity to retry buying directly from Ford. I called the point man to warn him that there might be a delay in providing glass for the home of his boss if I can’t buy direct. Ten minutes later the Ford sales division called me and took the order. We were now a major distributor of Ford glass. Years later our partnership ended. I, then, went to work for A & A Glass.
In 1996, I bought A & A Glass from the original owner. I had been the general manager for many years. It was your typical Mom & Pop glass shop on a busy street corner with plenty of walk in customers. Choosing the best time to offer to buy out your employer and conversely threaten to quit, is always a tricky maneuver, but I presented a positive win/win scenario that offered them early retirement. It worked and now I was a business owner.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I spent my last thousand dollars making the down payment to buy A & A Glass. I had carefully planned my finances and cash flow for the first month. I had been promised a large deposit for a future job and I was to receive this deposit the first week. Now I was told it was delayed. I didn’t even have enough money to pay my first payroll!
I was in panic mode. I had to find a way to solve this problem. Fortunately, a few days later another job I had bid called me back and said I was awarded the contract and they wanted me to get the doors & windows ordered asap. I said I can order your material today, I just need to come by and pick up the deposit check. Life was good again.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
A & A Glass is a licensed C-17 Glazing contractor. We sell & install doors, windows, commercial storefront, mirrors, glass railings, custom skylights, etc. Our niche has been custom homes that require precise attention to detail and often have a high degree of difficulty. We like doing the unusual and the difficult, often setting glass with a crane.
Last year, we installed a dual glass panel that was 18.5 ft. wide x 9 ft. tall on the 2nd floor. It weighed near 2000 lbs. Many of the projects we work on win awards for craftsmanship or become ‘Home of the Year’. On difficult projects I am often asked to contribute help with the glazing design. I really enjoy this part of my job.
San Diego has some truly great architects and general contractors. Working with the best is always a learning experience. Sometimes challenging and very interesting.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in El Cajon. Graduated El Cajon H.S. I have some truly great friends I’ve known all my life. My two brothers and sister all have college degrees. I guess I’m the Dumbo that never completed college but that was because I landed a great job when I was 20. Working as a food clerk at Safeway and going to Grossmont JC, I ran for, and got elected as a Union Business Agent for the Retail Clerks Union of San Diego. I was living at home and making as much money as my Dad. I moved out. I learned a lot about people & politics and how easy people can become corrupted from my Union experience. That perspective has helped me become a better, less greedy boss. I care about my people. I always close shop between Xmas & New Year and always give them a nice bonus.
Contact Info:
- Address: 974 E. Rancheros Rd. Suite B
San Marcos, CA. 92069 - Website: aaglassandmirror.com
- Phone: 760-489-9200
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