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Featured Franchisee Spotlight!

Robert Trujillo

Servicing Wichita, Kansas.

p: 316-680-7587
w: aerointeriormaintenance.com

Robert’s Story

Robert worked his way up the retail ladder, he found himself in a district management position. The long hours, evenings and weekends were difficult with a young and growing family. The next step would have put him in a corporate role. When Ed proposed the Aero Interior Maintenance offer Robert gladly accepted.

Aero Interior Maintenance History

Ed Laverence opened the Aero Interior Maintenance franchise in 1999. He grew his business into a successful specialized market. As Ed looked to the future, he saw it was time to bring in an apprentice who could step into the ownership role. Robert trained with Robert Brown. He earned his FAA repairman's license. During the next couple of years, the major challenges consisted of learning the regulatory side of things. The FAA requires detailed documentation with specific language. Robert and his wife, Nicole took ownership of AIM in 2023, with Nicole holding 51% ownership and the role of Vice-President. Ed is still actively available for questions.

Robert and Nicole have staff at the Aero Interiors Center. They also partner with Shannon Hudgins, Arizona, Tom Kneuer, Florida, Robert Brown, Texas, and Troy Roth, Iowa. They are actively seeking to expand their business, recently landing a relationship with Village Tours who provide high-end coach buses for entertainers. Robert feels you should not keep all your eggs in one basket, having a variety of different types of clients keeps a steady income stream. He has set his mind to further expansion, there are so many possibilities.

Robert has secured permission to use the logos for Textron and Bombardier Aviation. Both companies are highly visible and respected, along with Color Glo's brand recognition it is a winning team! He is in the process of updating his website and social media presence. Robert knows that referrals backed up by an up-to-date website inspires confidence in potential clients. His redesigned business cards have all their contact information, and a QR code that when scanned gives one click access to all the information contained on any smart phone.

How Color Glo Lends to Success

One role that Color Glo plays in the success of AIM is the consistent quality of the products and efficiency of the systems taught and employed. It is not unusual that a customer will need an item fixed after it was repaired by a "competitor" often they need to strip the inadequate products that were used, in order to do a proper repair.

The Trujillos keep busy with their family, Michael is twenty-three, he monitors oil rigs, Isaiah, 20, a third generation Color Gloer, Elizabeth, who is nineteen goes to Fort Hays State University. She would like to work as a Sonography Technologist. Caleb, 17, is a Jr in high school. He is interested in welding. Mariah, fifteen, is a first-year student, she plays softball and cheers.

How it Works

On the aviation side, the business model is referral driven. The partners in other states generate their own business and AIM does the invoicing and processes the quality control paperwork required by the FAA. Robert told me that their customers’ aircraft are always inspected when they are not in service. AIM customers are thankful for this service, keeping their planes in tip-top shape.

On average a seat costs $650.00 to restore and re-dye. An aircraft with 10-12 seats typically takes 4-5 days to complete. If a seat is reupholstered the cost could be $8,000 to $15,000.

About Color Glo International

Color Glo International is the World Leader in restoration and repair of leather, vinyl, velour, cloth and hard plastics commonly found in the markets of Automotive, Aircraft, Marine, and Furniture. Formally incorporated in 1975 Color Glo began franchising in 1982. Today in hundreds of markets throughout the world. Color Glo products are proven every day to offer the correct results and best value every time they are put to the test.

We initially began our franchising in the United States and have since then expanded into Canada and 50 countries worldwide. Our focus is restoring and repairing common defects such as worn and faded interior components such as leather upholstery, headliners, burns, and broken plastic or composite molding. These problems are found in the interior of every automobile, RV, truck sports vehicle, plane, or boat in use today. See the MATERIALS WE SERVICE.