We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cody Y a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cody , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Once upon a time, fresh out of college, I embarked on a quest to pursue a career in professional athletics. From the crack of dawn until late into the night, I delved into our practices and workouts, hoping to make my mark in the competitive world of sports. However, the road to athletic stardom proved to be fraught with challenges, and the dream of becoming a well-paid athlete seemed elusive.

To sustain myself, I took on a myriad of odd jobs – from changing furnace filters for a property management company to clearing leaves out of gutters. Yet, the need for stability loomed large, prompting me to seek out a more reliable source of income. That’s when fate led me to the window film installation industry, despite my scant knowledge from high school.

I found myself working as a subcontractor for a car dealership, where I spent three years absorbing invaluable insights into the business world. Yet, despite the wealth of experience gained, the promise of growth remained unfulfilled. It was then that my brother Sonny and I decided to take a leap of faith and forge our own path.

Pooling together our meager resources, we birthed High Altitude Tint, LLC, with little more than a handful of tools and a roll of film. Though the initial days were marked by sluggish progress, the taste of freedom far outweighed the security of a steady paycheck. We embraced the challenges that came our way, knocking on doors, distributing flyers, and engaging in countless conversations with potential clients.

The journey was far from easy. Rejection became a familiar companion, and financial strain loomed large. To make ends meet, we juggled multiple part-time jobs, from persuading MMA fighters to running a nonprofit wrestling club. We even found ourselves toiling away in day labor jobs, installing stone veneer onto new constructions.

Yet, with each setback, we gleaned valuable lessons, refining our strategies and sharpening our focus. Through perseverance and a steadfast commitment to our mission of providing top-quality products at affordable prices, we began to see glimmers of progress. High Altitude Tint transformed from a fledgling venture into a thriving enterprise, earning a reputation as Denver Metro’s newest Prestige Window Film Dealer.

Our work extended beyond mere business endeavors. We found purpose in collaborating with schools, churches, and government buildings, safeguarding their occupants with the application of 3M safety and security window films. Additionally, our wrestling club became a beacon of hope for thousands of wrestlers over the years. To date, we’ve facilitated over 500 individuals in pursuing higher education, with 60 currently enrolled in various colleges and universities. Since 2014, we’ve had the privilege of guiding 11 wrestlers to attain the prestigious status of Division 1 All-American.

Through it all, we came to understand that risk is the lifeblood of growth. In embracing uncertainty and daring to defy convention, we unearthed untold treasures of success. Our story stands as a testament to the transformative power of taking chances, proving that sometimes, the greatest rewards lie just beyond the edge of our comfort zones.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

A lifelong automotive enthusiast, Cody, along with his brother Sonny, grew up around custom car builders and mechanics. From a young age, Cody displayed an interest in transformation and had an eye for detail. In 2007, he had his first taste of window tinting. After completing college at the University of Minnesota with a degree in Business & Marketing, Cody worked with multiple car dealerships across the Denver metro area. This is where he truly honed his art of installing window film and perfected his craft.

In 2013, Cody and his brother embarked on their journey by starting their own window tinting company. They began with a roll of film in their trunk, providing mobile installations, with their primary objective being to offer the highest quality products at the most affordable prices. Over a decade later, the business may have expanded, but their core goal has remained unchanged.
Cody takes pleasure in installing window film, managing bids, and finding the perfect film for a wide range of customers, contractors, architects, and interior designers.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Once upon a time, I was on the cusp of fulfilling my dreams as a professional MMA fighter. Countless hours of training, sacrifices made, and battles fought inside the cage had brought me to the brink of success. But fate had other plans.

Just weeks before a scheduled fight, disaster struck in the form of a debilitating injury. Not only did it sideline me from competition, but it also left me with a mountain of medical bills. The blow was devastating, both physically and financially. With no income from fighting and mounting expenses, I faced a stark reality.

But adversity has a way of revealing hidden opportunities. As I grappled with the fallout of my injury, I realized that I had the chance to chart a new course. With years of experience in the world of athletics and a burning desire to succeed, I decided to pivot.

I poured all my energy and determination into building something of my own – a startup that I could be proud of and that would support my family. Letting go of my aspirations of becoming the best MMA fighter was a difficult decision, but I knew it was the right one.

As I navigated the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship, I drew upon the resilience and discipline honed through years of training. Every setback was met with renewed determination, every challenge seen as an opportunity for growth.

And gradually, my startup began to take shape. Through hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt, I turned adversity into opportunity. Though my journey took an unexpected turn, I emerged stronger, with a newfound sense of purpose and pride in what I had built from the ground up.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Our reputation within our market was primarily built on people – our customers. In simple terms, customer relations played the most significant role in our growth and success. While the quality of our products and work certainly contributed, standing by them alone wasn’t enough. It was crucial to let our customers know that we valued and appreciated them. Otherwise, someone else would.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.highaltitudetint.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highaltitudetint/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/highaltitudetint/photos/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-yohn-b28473170
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HighAltitudeTin
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/high-altitude-tint-aurora-2

Image Credits
Justin Chan Photography, LLC 303.919.2149 www.justinchanphotography.com