Jackson Free Press

Jackson metro business owner Paul Tauchar considers social networking the secret of his success--but instead of only using Facebook or Twitter, he prefers actual human contact.

I'm interested in people," he says. "Some people collect coins, some people collect stamps, I like collecting ... friendships and relationships with different people." This philosophy has led Tauchar, an Ohio native who has lived in Mississippi since 2000, to open two businesses in the metro within four years.

"I know of numerous times when I have introduced someone to someone (else) or they have introduced them to me, where it has ultimately led to business in one way, shape or form," Tauchar says.

After working in the sales and marketing industry for more than 20 years, Tauchar, 45, decided to utilize his knowledge and open his own sales and marketing-training company, TD Solutions in 2006.

"I think that I just always wanted to be an entrepreneur," Taucher says, "I had the entrepreneurial spirit."

In 2007, Tauchar decided to open the window-tinting company, Solar Control of Jackson in Ridgeland, after meeting Joe Williams, a business owner from the Coast with a similar company. Even though Tauchar had no experience in the window-tinting industry, he saw a need for a reputable tinting service in Jackson. Williams, who has been in the tinting industry since 1975, became Tauchar's mentor and trainer. Solar Control installs window film on homes, businesses and automobiles. Tauchar has seen double-digit growth in Solar Control each year since opening.

Tauchar has two words of advice for others thinking of opening their own business: "get involved." As a member of eight chambers of commerce in the Jackson metro and a board member for the Mississippi Kidney Foundation and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Tauchar finds networking invaluable. He seems to have it down to an art.

"The only talking you should do if you're networking is asking questions. That forces people to listen. The more you ask questions and the more you listen, the more you're going to find out about people," Tauchar explains.

Tauchar lives in Clinton with his wife, Cindy, and they each have two children from previous marriages. He considers himself an ambassador for Jackson.

"There's so many opportunities here, and I've just come to love it. It's a great place to raise a family, in particular, and so I try to promote it as much as I can," Tauchar says.