When Richard Barron talks about his team at HHI Windows and Doors and how each member exemplifies professionalism and experience, he knows what he’s talking about. He took the University of the South to its first conference championship, Princeton to its first Ivy League title, and the University of Maine to two women’s basketball regular season titles on the strength of great teams.
Richard Barron, owner of HHI Windows and Doors.
That record earned him America East Coach of the Year in 2015, but he sees what he accomplished as a coach as a function of the team around him. It’s the same mindset he carries into his new chapter in life as owner of HHI Windows and Doors.
“We have an amazing team across sales, customer service, operations, and production, and all of us work hard on training and communication so every customer gets the same level of care from start to finish,” Barron said. “Our installers are a huge part of that – they’ve all been carefully vetted, licensed, insured, and gone through a host of certification trainings with different vendors, so they’re familiar with multiple sets of products. We know exactly who your installer is going to be and why they’re the best person for the job. It really helps relieve a lot of stress and gives customers that peace of mind.”
Top row (left to right): Steve Lieberman, Nick Groves, Trey Mackie, Jaiden Hrobar. Bottom Row: Blake Henderson, Pam Eihausen, Kelli Vich, Jason Noonan.
Each member of the team has been coached with a mindset of going the extra mile. Whether they’re working with a contractor, an architect, or directly with the homeowner, the emphasis is on executing each step of the process correctly, ensuring all paperwork and permits are in order, and creating something that will hold up for decades to come.
Top Row: Sean Deir, Brooks Anderson and Justin Noles. Bottom Row: Robin Mastley and Rob Reed (not pictured: Sedi Besic).
As coach says, a great window can be a bad window if it’s not properly installed. That means taking ownership of each step.
“For most people, we’re a one-stop shop,” he said. “They’re picking out their windows or doors with us, we’re ordering, working with manufacturers, handling the install, and servicing any warranty claims.”
For customers, the benefits of working with HHI Windows and Doors start long before the installation. At their massive new showroom on Malphrus Road in Bluffton, they’re given a chance to see and touch the countless options before them. And maybe have a little fun while they’re shopping.
The HHI Windows and Doors Showroom is impressive, featuring a conference room, full bar and a state-of-the-art golf simulator.
“This showroom was a big investment, but we wanted to be able to show full sized samples to people so they could make more informed decisions. They can look at different brands and styles so we can find what’s best for them rather than go with one product. You don’t want to try and fit a square peg in a round hole,” Barron said.
It’s not just full-sized samples, however. The conference rooms, full bar, and state-of-the-art golf simulator hint at this being much more than just a place to look at windows and doors. “We built the showroom to serve a few functions,” Barron said. “One, it helps customers in terms of their decision making. Two, it’s a meeting place for us and others in the community. It’s a place where architects, designers, and contractors can come with their clients, even if they’re not working on their windows.”
These amenities are also a sign that HHI Windows and Doors intends, above all else, to be a part of the greater community that surrounds it.
The showroom is located at 32 Malphrus Road, near Lowe’s in Bluffton.
“We want people to feel comfortable with us and feel a sense of permanence with this location. You know that we’re not a fly-by-night operation – we’re going to be around. And you know when you call that we’re going to answer,” he said. “We’re a big part of the community.”
One of the most obvious ways that HHI Windows and Doors has served the community, beyond signs on little league fences, work with Habitat for Humanity, or various sponsorships for local organizations, is through its work with the Karen Wellington Foundation.
Barron has a personal connection to the charity, which helps women facing breast cancer do more than just endure treatment, but live and enjoy their time. Wellington was a friend of his who succumbed to breast cancer at a young age, and in her honor the foundation bestows what it calls “gifts of fun” to women.
“It could be anything from a spa day at a nail salon all the way to bucket list items like skydiving, horseback riding on the beach, or a family vacation. When women are going through this, the first thing that gets set aside is doing something fun for themselves,” Barron said.
When he made the move to Hilton Head Island, he saw opportunities everywhere to give those women a few days of happiness. “We entertained nine different families this year on Hilton Head. And we’ve been able to do so much around here, like sending someone to a football camp at USC or just going out to dinner with friends, because of local businesses we’ve worked with. We have vacation rental companies who have donated properties, and the Heritage Classic Foundation offers us a great matching opportunity as a preferred charity.”
In your home, HHI Windows and Doors is creating peace of mind with quality products you can see and pick out for yourself, installed by professionals who will take every step to ensure the job is done right. In homes across the Lowcountry, they’re providing greater opportunity for members of our community who need it most. It’s exactly the game plan that Richard Barron drew up when he laid down roots here.
“South Carolina is a growing area with a lot of new construction, and we had a community that needed someone they could trust. We want them to know our name, our brand, our integrity and that we are giving back to the community in meaningful ways,” he said. “All of those things are important to us.”
To see firsthand how HHI Windows and Doors does things differently, visit hhiwindows.com or stop by their showroom at 32 Malphrus Road in Bluffton.