Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mike Humston. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mike, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I am 13 years recovered from drug addiction, and 75% of our employees are also in recovery. We exist in order to give opportunities to people that other businesses wont. We love to teach a person a career that they might otherwise never have the opportunity to have because of their mistakes from the past

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the business through my Dad. He was a very successful Auto Glass company owner in our city, and was well known and respected in this region. He trained me to do every part of the glass industry and how to run a business. What set’s us apart from other auto glass companies is that we do the jobs that no one else is skilled to do. There is no other company in our region that has anyone with the amount of experience in our field that my Father taught me, and I love to teach and grow others. Our team here is a family. They operate along the lines of our core values, and genuinely care about one another. We are not focused on numbers or money. Instead we are focused on people. We have the fastest turnaround time for our customers, the most experienced technicians, and the friendliest office staff. We still believe in the old-fashioned and basically outdated idea of treating people like people. Doing what we say we will do, and leaving your vehicle cleaner than it was when we got there. These basics and the constant focus on people are what seperates us from the competition.

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

I was working for a rather large auto dealer here in Lexington, and had developed a self sufficient full service Auto Glass division for them. This company took a huge risk when hiring me. I had a past, and I had not been on the right track long. That being said, I was extremely grateful and loyal to them. One evening I received a text from the owner asking me to meet him in a conference room at a hotel in Lexington. The managers of the Collision Center’s at the dealership received the same message as me. When we got there, we were told that we had been sold, and were introduced to the higher ups at the new company. Right then, I knew I had to start my own company. What they wanted to do was remove everything we do that seperates us from the competition and become big box glass company, for lack of better words. I knew at that point, that I would not be able to fulfill my life’s calling in giving folks opportunity, so I began the process to open Rite-Way Auto Glass. I was not interested in owning my own company at the time. I would have stayed at that dealership forever. But I knew, given the circumstances, that I had to open Rite-Way

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I have a business partner named Gam MacPherson. He manages our sales team for us. I met Gam while working for another glass company in town after my Father passed away. When we met, I was not in good condition. I was at the height of my struggles with drugs. He was the sales manager at the company, so when I got clean and got the opportunity to start the glass company for the dealership he was one of the first people I called. After some persuasion, he came on board and helped to build our clientele pretty rapidly. Gam was there when the buyout occurred, so when it came time to start Rite-Way I brought him in.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ritewayautoglass.com
• Instagram: @ritewayglass
• Facebook: Rite-Way Glass