Retail Spotlight—Solar Shade Truck & Car Paradise
Founded in 1979 and remotely located in Waynesville, Ohio, Ken Steele’s Solar Shade Truck & Car Paradise remains steadfastly brick-and-mortar in a day when online retailers are increasingly pressuring such business models. Yet after laboring through some admittedly tough early days, Steele has built a profitable three-bay, 6,000-sq.-ft. retail operation that sells and installs an impressively wide range of aftermarket accessories, including window tinting and trike conversions. In the process, he’s attracted a loyal customer following throughout his far-flung region.
Forged on business basics, Steele’s shop is a reminder that diversified product and service offerings, qualified staff and excellent customer service and follow-up can keep a traditional retailer viable amid Internet competition. Read on as SEMA News gets a look at how Steele’s simple retail philosophy plays out at what he bills as “Ohio’s largest car and truck accessories store.”