Family Owned Solar Tech Helps Visions Come to Life
Pam Weakly loves working on bringing projects to life. In fact, she enjoys the process as much as she enjoys seeing the final product.
As the owner of Solar Tech out of Memphis and Nashville, Pam has been in the window film business her entire life. Her father first began Solar Tech in 1976 as a solar control window film company for automotive, commercial and residential. Solar Tech is one of 3M’s oldest dealers in the country.
Pam grew up in her dad’s shop and recalls being 12 years old and working in the office, answering the phones, filing papers and harassing the installers. As an adult, she took over the business after her dad’s retirement and expanded the company’s line to include 3M™ Graphics, 3M™ Architectural Finishes and signage.
Pam works one-on-one with contractors, architects and interior designers throughout the State of Tennessee and beyond. She sees projects from concept to completion, including retail, office spaces, medical centers and more. Sometimes, she is brought into the planning at the end of the project, when the film and design has been identified. Other times, she is brought into the planning at the beginning stages, when design film is just an idea. “I actually really enjoy reading blueprints,” she said. “I enjoy the entire process of making someone’s vision come to life.”
Pam said, “We have always wanted to remain as a ‘family owned small business’ no matter how large we grow and how far we expand. My husband and three sons help run the daily operations with manufacturing and installations of film and graphics. My oldest, Nick Leonard, is slowly taking over and ready to follow in my and my dad’s foot steps. He has a passion to continue to grow the company and diversify with all of the 3M products.”
Pam’s team has grown since she took over operations from her father. She now employs 11 installers and 4 office staff. “I’ve got a good crew,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of turn over. Most of my employees have been with us for years. We promote a family atmosphere here at Solar Tech. Our guys make our name, not me. They are the ones who make us who we are.”
Solar Tech specializes in 3M™ Architectural Finishes, including Fasara™, DI-NOC™, Dichroic, Crystal Glass and Graphics. Her office in Memphis showcases a variety of the design films to showcase the products’ capability. The company also provides residential, commercial and auto window film.
Pam said she loves everything about being in the window film industry, from building relationships with customers to seeing the end product after install. “People remember us because we are good,” she said.
For more information, visit Solar Tech’s website at www.gosolar-tech.com or call (901) 382-7670.
