In 1999, Harmon decided to join forces with Head after closing the doors of her residential add-on and replacement business. She had been friends with Head for a few years and saw the move as an opportunity to finally “make some money” in the business after putting in many 12- to 15-hour days with little to show for it.
Harmon, who had been working as a secretary at H.A.T., bought out the original owner in 1996, but found herself struggling to make the company profitable. She explained her dilemma to Head, a competitor and friend, who said he’d do what he could to help her if she decided to clean the slate and let all of her employees go — which she did.