EP# 136 - Fortifying Homes and Fostering Community with Lance Lustik's Hurricane Protection Wisdom
Apr 25, 2024Season 1Episode 136
"Cabo" Jim Schaller
When the winds howl and the shutters rattle, there's a certain peace of mind that comes from knowing your home can withstand Mother Nature's tantrums. That's why we're thrilled to have Lance Lustik from First Choice Hurricane Protection join us on the Good Neighbor Podcast. Lance, a veteran who transitioned to the front lines of home safety, peels back the curtain on what it truly means to equip your domicile against the fiercest of storms. Discover the myths he debunks about hurricane-resistant products and learn why picking the right materials for your hurricane screens is more than just a matter of preference—it's a crucial decision for your sanctuary's defense.
Our conversation travels beyond the realm of gale-force winds, offering a glimpse into the life of a man whose dedication to family and his array of hobbies paints the full picture of someone who doesn't just sell safety but lives a life rich with experience and love. As we meander through the charming streets of Sanibel, Captiva, Naples, and Marco Island, we're reminded that community isn't just about proximity; it's about preparing, protecting, and celebrating together. I encourage our listeners to shine a light on local businesses that stand out, by nominating them for a feature spot on our show, ensuring that the spotlight continues to rotate among those who make our neighborhoods thrive. Join us for this heartwarming and informative episode where we fortify homes and foster community bonds.
1st Choice Hurricane Protection LLC Lance Lustik 25242 Bernwood Dr St 4 Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (239) 325-3400 lance@1stchoicehp.com WEBSITE
When the winds howl and the shutters rattle, there's a certain peace of mind that comes from knowing your home can withstand Mother Nature's tantrums. That's why we're thrilled to have Lance Lustik from First Choice Hurricane Protection join us on the Good Neighbor Podcast. Lance, a veteran who transitioned to the front lines of home safety, peels back the curtain on what it truly means to equip your domicile against the fiercest of storms. Discover the myths he debunks about hurricane-resistant products and learn why picking the right materials for your hurricane screens is more than just a matter of preference—it's a crucial decision for your sanctuary's defense.
Our conversation travels beyond the realm of gale-force winds, offering a glimpse into the life of a man whose dedication to family and his array of hobbies paints the full picture of someone who doesn't just sell safety but lives a life rich with experience and love. As we meander through the charming streets of Sanibel, Captiva, Naples, and Marco Island, we're reminded that community isn't just about proximity; it's about preparing, protecting, and celebrating together. I encourage our listeners to shine a light on local businesses that stand out, by nominating them for a feature spot on our show, ensuring that the spotlight continues to rotate among those who make our neighborhoods thrive. Join us for this heartwarming and informative episode where we fortify homes and foster community bonds.
1st Choice Hurricane Protection LLC Lance Lustik 25242 Bernwood Dr St 4 Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (239) 325-3400 lance@1stchoicehp.com WEBSITE
Speaker 1:
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Cabo Jim.
Speaker 2:
Schaller. Welcome Good Neighbors to episode number 136 of the Good Neighbor Podcast, estero. Today we have Good Neighbor Lance Lustik from First Choice Hurricane Protection. Lance, welcome Good morning yeah excited to learn a little bit more about what you guys do and share it with our community here. So let's jump right in, and why don't you start off by sharing a little bit?
Speaker 3:
all right, yeah, we supply and install hurricane windows, hurricane shutters, you know, all types of windows, doors to protect everyone's homes from the hurricanes in the recent years absolutely very, very important down here yes, you know what it's gonna be like this year, yeah right, it's, it's starting off already.
Speaker 2:
I saw that, but um, how did you get involved in this industry?
Speaker 3:
well, I got out of the military in 2023. Um, I'm probably one of the last people to get a job out of a newspaper. Just trying to find a job, literally out of a newspaper. I started out as a labor on a crew for one company and I just worked there. It was bought out by another company. Just kind of moved myself up. And then, 2009, I started this business.
Speaker 2:
Nice. So you've literally learned from the ground up absolutely there we go so. So everybody has some type of I want to say challenge or obstacle on their journey that you know they can look back at now and say you know what? I'm in a better place now. Um, is there something to happen along your journey?
Speaker 3:
I I would think probably right. When we opened it was. That was when the economy went you know downhill for everyone down here in South Florida, I mean it was. You were lucky to get a call a week, you know. So starting from nothing, literally Right, nobody would find anything. So that would be definitely the biggest challenge I've had.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely so. Are there any maybe myths or maybe misconceptions that we could clear up for our listeners regarding what you do?
Speaker 3:
Yes, A lot of people think hurricane windows are hurricane proof or waterproof. They're not. There's a water rating on every product. You're not going to find a window or door that's 100% hurricane-proof. If you look through the fine print, it all says hurricane-resistant. They are designed to withhold design loads and wind speeds, but when you have heavy driving rain, nothing can drain fast enough. Also, hurricane screens I think people need to be careful with. That's a big, big marketing thing. I see on the news or TV every day Lifetime warranties, all that good stuff. You know it's just some of the products are not made to be used the way they're being sold.
Speaker 3:
People need to be very careful with hurricane screens on what they're buying, because there is very different products.
Speaker 2:
Now, what could you explain what a hurricane screen exactly is?
Speaker 3:
So a hurricane screen they have. You know most people down here buy roll-up. You know the roll-up ones can close their own eyes, protect all the outdoor furniture and such, and they're made from either polypropylene material or they're made from an aramid fiber. A polypropylene is more of an oil-based product and it'll break down in the Sun. So when these people put them down and go back up north, the Sun is just taking it and when it's all said and done, that starts to break down, you can really see it deteriorate in the Sun. Where with the other product, aramid fibers, it will not break down in the Sun, you can leave it out there it's. It's made to be left in the sun for 10 years directly, so you know they're just not in day.
Speaker 2:
Big, big, big difference.
Speaker 3:
And we know how brutal.
Speaker 2:
The sun can be down here.
Speaker 3:
I know exactly.
Speaker 2:
So are you seeing anything that's maybe trending in the industry or new in the industry? A lot, more.
Speaker 3:
Our business has gone a lot more to windows, um, indoors, um, I'd say a few years back it was 50 50. I first started it was definitely majority shutters, but I think, because the prices have come down some, that a lot more people don't want to mess with shutters anymore. And you know, to be fair, when I first got in this business, all we did was metal panels, because the code changed and you know, even know, even we said like we're young, I mean, I was straight out of the Army in shape and we're putting these panels on people that are 70, 80 years old. They're not putting these on the house. How the hell are they going to?
Speaker 2:
expect that, so people now realize let's just do windows be done with it and never think about it again.
Speaker 3:
Absolutely.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely, and you know. And plus, when you can't see out the window during a storm, it's kind of nerve-wracking too, because you don't know, what's going on? Outside. You don't want to open the door.
Speaker 3:
No, people don't realize. Even bolting those metal panels during the storm, they rattle like crazy, even when they're tight.
Speaker 2:
Right, so it gets louder. Crazy, crazy. So are you from Southwest Florida originally.
Speaker 3:
No, I was born south of Chicago. I've been down here since 95. I graduated from a sterile high school.
Speaker 2:
Okay, nice, what brought you down here?
Speaker 3:
My dad sold his business in Chicago.
Speaker 2:
Okay very nice, very nice, made the move down to warmer weather.
Speaker 3:
Yes, made the move down to warmer weather?
Speaker 2:
Yes, yep. So I know being a business owner can be a little difficult at times and demanding of your time, but what kind of things do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Speaker 3:
We go, you know, on ATVs. I'm actually playing hooky tomorrow, to be honest, going on the motorcycle Nice, going up to Leesburg.
Speaker 1:
Ah, bike test up there.
Speaker 3:
Yep. So other than that, it's usually sports with the kids or something else going on, so keep.
Speaker 2:
It keeps you busy, that's for sure you got to enjoy the weather before it gets too hot down here yes, yes, but we have to bring a tent to the baseball field all right, right. So is there one thing you wish? Maybe our listeners knew about what you do, that maybe they're not familiar with.
Speaker 3:
Well, we do a lot more custom work. I think, like you know these people it's all the old Mediterranean look homes. We do a lot of the custom cutouts. We'll square up arches and openings. We'll hide their shutters, like we do on new construction where everything's like hidden um. We do a lot of custom um applications so the home doesn't look like a. It has all this additional work done to it and, yeah, they don't like, because you know our clientele down here is much different. You know they want the, they want what they want and they want to look good.
Speaker 1:
So we're not just a lamb, we'll slide your windows in.
Speaker 3:
If they don't want them, we'll change them, we'll customize them, we'll do big pieces of glass, big doors, so we just have more capabilities than most. All of our guys are in house too, so they don't have to worry about some subcontractor and that coming in that we don't haven't worked with us for a while, so so are you seeing that maybe more homeowners are going with someone say bigger openings, bigger windows absolutely.
Speaker 3:
I mean these windows nowadays. I mean it takes four, five, six guys to lift. We have to get equipment in there to move some of this stuff. I mean we just didn't want in shell point. The whole back of the house was 24 feet wide, 10 foot tall of all glass. Wow, the master bedroom. I don't know how you hide yourself in there right right but I guess you know that's what they want exactly right, hey, I can argue with them if that's something.
Speaker 3:
yes, I, yes, I work with a lot of architects, because they'll call and ask can we do this, can we make this work? This is what these people want, these massive massive windows.
Speaker 2:
Yes, well, they want to feel like they're outdoors, but they want the comfort of the AC in the inside.
Speaker 3:
I guess right yes.
Speaker 2:
So how would our listeners go about getting a hold of you if they're interested in learning more?
Speaker 3:
Sure, yeah, they can call the office at 239-325-3400. They can give us an email at info at firstchoicehpcom or stop by the showroom at 252-41 Burnwood Drive, bonita Springs, florida, 3-4-1-3-5. Centrally located between Sanibel, Captiva, naples and Marco.
Speaker 2:
Very nice, Very nice. Lance any last words for our listeners.
Speaker 3:
No, I think that's it. It's almost hurricane season, so you know, prepare, prepare.
Speaker 2:
Exactly there we go, lance thank you for being such a good neighbor and I hope to see you out in the community here soon. Sounds good, Thank you.
Speaker 1:
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast, estero. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpestero. com. That's gnpestero. com, or call 239-296-2621.