Today & Tonight Magazine March 2020

JC'S CUSTOMS

40 Years of Complete Automotive Restyling and Customizing

By Elizabeth Morrisey

For more than 40 years, JC’s Customs has been serving generations of customers in the Winter Haven community. And it’s the customer loyalty and dedication of the employees that has kept the business going. What started with window tinting is now a complete automotive customizing accessory facility known for its suspension kits, wheels, truck parts and other items.

“From the inside out and front to back, we can provide any add on options,” says owner, Kevin Cheeseman. - “There is not another company that does what we do with all the services we provide in Winter Haven.”

As customers asked for more options, the company listened and transformed as it needed to. Now it is four businesses under one:

window tinting for cars and home and office, the accessory division and electronics. “Not many shops do all of that or as well and as long as we’ve done it,” he says.

“We are customer-service focused and try to have it done the way service was designed,” Cheeseman explains. “We do the right thing and provide the best service.”

In 1975, the company was founded but purchased a few years later by the “late and great” Peter Bonifay. He was a mentor to many people, including Cheeseman who started with the company under Bonifay in 1985. “This was my calling,” he says and he purchased the company in 1998.

JC’s Customs has nine employees and many have been with the company more than 20 years. “Our employees help make our business. Our salesmen have more than five years experience and two installers have been here more than 22 years,” he says. “We make sure our employees have a home and we are giving

back to them.” Jason Smith has been an employee for 21 years and he works on just about everything. “I get to work on giant toys,” he says. “I do mostly mechanic work and wheels and tires.”

He says JC’s is loyal to its employees and treats him well. Why does he think the company has survived as long as it has? “It’s the way they do business. They treat every vehicle like it was their personal vehicle and want the customer to be satisfied,” says Smith.

JC’s also supports local charities and functions, such as Jeepin’ With Judd – an annual event to support the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. JC’s has been a sponsor of the event for four years. “It helps give back to the local communities and supports people that are in need,” Cheeseman says.

To help continue to catapult JC’s business, the company recently remodeled the 10,000-square-foot building to provide more useable work space for even more services. “What we are doing now, I didn’t think we would be 20 years ago,” Cheeseman says. “Our business model has changed.”

JC’s is now focusing on more technology and can now install back up cameras, driver recording systems and other car safety features. And once again it came back to customer demands for high quality services and products. “Our business has transformed as the customers have asked, we’ve added more services,” he says.

The company also has competitive pricing. “It’s a task for small businesses to stay as competitive as possible and stay in business. We fight it every day. Our goal is to educate our customers in the difference between buying parts online versus us helping with parts and installation,” Cheeseman says. “We need to be ahead of the curve.” The company provides training for its employees by attending trade shows and seminars.

Some of JC’s unique installations include electronics for boats, tractors and commercial vehicles. “Work or play … we are finding solutions,” says Cheeseman. They offer well-known brands such as Rockford Fosgate, Alpine, Wet Sounds and others.

Some of their most popular installations are large suspension systems with color coordinated accessories as well as wheels and tires on pickup trucks. Cheeseman says it is also fun to lower cars to make the vehicle look like it’s sitting on the ground.

“We’ve been blessed to see generations coming through our doors,” he says. “They are valuing the service we provide.”

Located at 515 5th ST SW, Winter Haven, FL 33880, 863-293-5555 or www.jcscustoms.com