For over twenty-five years, veteran window installer Eric DeBono has been dedicated to learning his craft while building a successful installation business across Southern Ontario.
DeBono, who hails from Oakville but eventually moved to Brantford in 2014 with his family, discussed his start in the industry.
“Before installing, I was doing telemarketing…working for my brother and helping him find leads for his company. He also had me watch his storeroom in Toronto when I was around 13 years old. Customers came in, and I showed the products while keeping the place clean. My brother himself started in manufacturing with his own brother-in-law when he was 20, so he was already experienced when I started to work with him. By 17, I had stopped doing telemarketing and switched to landscaping. I became crew chief and did that for several years, until my brother got me back to installing windows. I learned a lot and ended up working for him for about 11 years,” DeBono recalled. “After a trip to Portugal, and seeing my brother-in-law, who was a police officer, it really got me thinking about being one. When I came back home, I became a security guard to gain some experience [instead of a degree] before policing. I did that for three years, becoming a supervisor. I found the work boring, and when my brother secured a big contract, he offered to get me back to help out, with an opportunity to earn more.”
In 2011, DeBono decided to strike out on his own, founding First to Last Windows and Doors and subcontracting to various companies through the years.
“I got my own truck, trailer, and other things that I needed to start my own crew. I worked with a family-run business called Dundas Windows & Doors in Mississauga. They manufactured their own doors, while they got their windows from North Star. It was a good company, and I liked working for them. I would move on to Beverly Hills, Windows and Doors, based out of Stoney Creek, and did installations for them for about four years,” he said. “In 2014, my wife and I decided to move to Brantford…we heard a lot of good things about the community from my brother, who himself bought a home here. After that, I would work as a subcontractor for Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Rona, doing projects in the Brant County area as well as in Toronto. I worked with them until 2018, when I started working as an installer for Clera, Windows + Doors, which is a very respected company in our industry.”
While maintaining his own book of business and working with past customers as well as referrals, DeBono became Sales Manager at Clera, overseeing the Brantford territory, learning a great deal along the way.
“I learned how to be more patient…instead of just rushing as a subcontractor, and simply going on to the next job as quickly as possible, I was focused on getting every job right. It is extremely important to set high standards for yourself and take the time to make sure everything that is done is meeting the customers’ expectations. At Clera, I was able to not only install, but I also did sales too, and customers really liked that because they knew I would be there every step of the way, making sure things were done right and that it was completed to customers’ specifications,” he said. “On the other hand, I have also learned to be very selective when it comes to the kinds of jobs I take on and the customers I decide to work with…the majority of customers are great, but I have learned to be picky as I want to dedicate my time and energy to people who are fair and reasonable.”
However, for DeBono, he has learned to count on himself, as he has found that sometimes others don’t pull through.
“One of the biggest stresses of being a small business owner is finding the right people to work with daily. On the whole, I have found that reliability with workers isn’t consistent, and at the end of the day, you have to pretty much rely on yourself. In the past, I have hired workers who I found out aren’t invested in the jobs or committed to building relationships with customers. You have to be careful who you bring into your circle for work, because someone unprofessional can lead to many problems down the road,” DeBono stated. “I have come to realize that when the customer trusts you…they trust your judgement on every aspect of the project, and that includes having the right people. You have to be very selective and cautious about who you actually bring onto your crew. Recently, I have trained two men hailing from the Ukraine, whom I trust, and they have been capable with their work and very good with the customers. But I find the best workers I have hired have come from referrals…especially through family and friends…people who I myself trust.”
Nevertheless, his career has also given him a chance to work with his wife Ana.
“We started working together in 2020, when Clera offered me the sales rep position in this territory. I immediately asked Ana if she wanted to do it with me, and we would go out and sell together. I thought it would be a great way to comfort people in their homes, especially during the height of the pandemic. And it has worked out well because she’s great with computers, creating quotes, and helping customers during the consultation phase. It’s been a great experience working side by side with Ana,” DeBono reflected.
However, DeBono has worked on many projects through the years, and he described one that was one of the most rewarding yet challenging ones he has done.
“Back in Mississauga, when I was working with Dundas, Windows & Doors, I did a subcontract project for a whole townhome complex on Bloor Street, which was fantastic because it kept me very busy for a month. It was three stories at the front and four stories in the back with a total of 575 windows that needed to be installed. It was just me and another installer…and we did all the windows. Some were very easy, like on the main floor, which took a few days to complete,” DeBono recalled. “And then there were other windows we had to install that were on the third and fourth floors, where I had to set up scaffolds. I had to climb on my 40-foot ladder to set that all up. That was the most challenging part….doing this installation while being so high off the ground. It was one of the most rewarding jobs because I managed the challenges well, worked very hard, and made sure it all functioned and looked great. I believe the building is still there with those windows we installed, and it turned out so beautifully.”
Along with working in Brantford, DeBono has also done many jobs for customers in other regions in Ontario.
“There are many places that I work in, including Long Point…it was very nice working close to the water there. There was one job that I remember doing [where] I worked on an Airbnb…it was during the winter season, and that was very challenging. I have also worked in Woodstock, Simcoe, Hamilton, Tillsonburg, Turkey Point, and Port Stanley, which was a unique experience being very close to the border with the United States,” he noted.
And now, DeBono reflected on one of the biggest achievements during his career.
“I think still being in business is a great accomplishment, especially with the competition these days and other challenges like finding the right people for my crew. I started Start to Finish in 2007, and we are approaching 20 years, which is very exciting. I would go on to open another business in 2020, which is also within the window and door installation industry,” he said. “And having two of these businesses do very well is something I am very proud of. And of course, being with Clera has given me a chance to work with so many great customers all over Ontario. And with that, another achievement is building so many great relationships with people, including, and most importantly, customers. Nothing compares to completing the job with the customer 100% satisfied and then rewarding my hard work by referring me to their friends and family.”
However, what has made DeBono so successful is his willingness to learn and grow as a professional.
“Despite my experience and having learned so much in the last few decades, there is still so much to learn, and there is no limit to what you can do, including earning more. I also discovered that as long as you have the right crew, there is no limit to growing the business,” he said. “And now for 2026, I have a good crew, very good reviews online, and a solid referral pipeline, which gives me the chance to build and scale my businesses. I have a really good opportunity to surpass my sales goals this year by leveraging my experience and keeping in mind that being transparent, honest, and trustworthy with customers will continue to be cornerstones to my success now and going forward.”
