Lee County, Florida
Founded: 2012
D3 Glass cuts, fabricates, laminates and tempers flat glass to glass and glazing shops throughout Florida
Manufacturing
30% increase from 2018 – 2021
61% increase from 2018 – 2021
Was there an ah-ha moment that led you to your entrepreneurial journey or where did the idea for your company come from?
The ah-ha moment occurred in 2012 when we noticed that if we could manufacture and temper glass for our MY Shower Door stores we would have better control of pricing, quality, and turn-around time….the three points of the business pyramid.
Did you know you always wanted to be a CEO/entrepreneur?
No, I didn’t always know, we were in a situation that forced our hands and we adjusted and went with it.
Tell us about your business and the value it brings to your customers.
D3 Glass was named in honor of the three Daubmanns…Doug, Keith, and Bill – who are the owners and founders. Having also started and operated multiple MY Shower Door locations, we knew the value that manufacturing our own glass and that of similar businesses throughout Florida would have on the local economy.
What makes your company culture unique?
Because we are a family business, our way of handling our staff and even our suppliers make a big difference when a team has to come together. Our strength and perseverance really showed in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
What makes your company different than others in your market?
D3 Glass is the only glass fabricator and tempering facility in Southwest Florida and now has invested in machinery in order to produce laminated (impact glass and bulletproof glass) glass.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a business owner? How did you solve or overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges have been getting, training, and retaining good, dependable teammates while staying within government regulations and paying a good, sound wage…with benefits to our team. We are always addressing new ways for our staff to grow and become successful.
What goals do you have for your company?
While D3 Glass has already been named “Manufacturer of the Year” by Lee County, our goal is to be the leader nationwide. MY Shower Door has recently been ranked the #1 Shower door company in America by Glass Magazine 2022, so we know we can do it with D3 Glass.
What has been your proudest moment as founder?
Our proudest moment with D3 Glass was when we were selected to manufacture a specialty piece of glass and personally present it to President Donald J Trump at his golf course in Palm Beach, FL. Our whole team was part of the amazing piece and it was auctioned off after the President and his family autographed it. The piece sold for $20,000 and the funds went to the Navy Seal Museum and retired Navy Seal Veteran
What does it mean to you to be selected as a GrowFL FLCTW honoree?
Having been named as a GrowFL FLCTW Honoree with MY Shower Door in 2013, I know the exposure this award brings and I am so proud of our whole team for working hard to achieve this honor. They will share in the news and excitement of this status.
Is there anyone special you’d like to thank?
The Daubmann family will always be indebted to our longtime mentor (now deceased) Jim Gunderson for his advice, knowledge, and caring for our companies, our family, and our staff.
I would strongly suggest that every Entrepreneur align themselves with a mentor – someone who can give an unbiased view and opinion to the owners. While not every single recommendation will be followed, most will be and your company will be better for it.
GrowFL is driven by one goal – to cultivate second-stage growth companies across the state. Second-stage companies are the backbone of Florida’s economy and the definition of economic success and prosperity.
GrowFL, through our diverse programs and services, provides proven methods to help overcome unique challenges facing second-stage companies as they grow.
