Earnie Olin employs his skills as a Creative Colors International Inc. franchisee to leave a lasting impression on local college students designing and racing innovative electric cars.

The HyTech Racing team

CCI’s leather, vinyl and fabric repair business makes on-site restorations to RVs, boats, planes, furniture and cars. Olin saves customers money by using CCI’s proprietary repair and restoration system. Getting the chance to provide his skills to HyTech Racing at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta offered him the opportunity to work on a unique car.

HyTech Racing fosters the engineering education of its students through the design and development of electric vehicles. In 2019, the student-run organization won first place for the second year in a row at the Formula Hybrid race, which takes place each year at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire. The competition allows students to step away from the classroom and learn practical engineering skills in a collaborative setting.

For the past two years, Olin has been able to support the students — who design and build the vehicles from the ground up — by upholstering and embroidering the car’s headrest. HyTech Racing has specific design requirements for the headrest to make the car eligible for competition. Olin used foam provided by the students and upholstered it in a soft, comfortable material. He had HyTech Racing’s signature gold logo embroidered on the headrest for the team.

“When a representative contacted me from HyTech Racing and told me about the headrest, I was happy to provide the simple service free of charge,” Olin said. “CCI is a family-run business, and it is important to support the local community. Agreeing to do the project was an easy way for me to help our local college students.”

Taking the 2019 HyTech Racer for a spin on the challenging Endurance Course at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire.

The 2019 HyTech Racing electric car’s design focused on lightness, serviceability and robustness. The 368-pound vehicle features a steel tube frame and a high-voltage battery pack. The car got first prize in the Design, Autocross, and Endurance events at Formula Hybrid. The Georgia Tech students also set a record as the fastest electric team to ever finish the 44 km Endurance course.

CCI is a family-run business. The original founders, Jim and JoAnn Foster, started the company 39 years ago, and their children still work for the business. CCI provides family-friendly customer service to small businesses and individual customers. The company works with a wide variety of materials, including leather, vinyl and fabric. CCI’s services don’t stop at seating. They can fix faded, damaged or stained vinyl flooring as well.

Olin joined the Creative Colors team six years ago as a franchisee in the northern Atlanta area. He admired CCI’s quality craftsmanship and superior service model. Owning the on-site repair business gave him the opportunity to be his own boss, with minimal investment. For Olin, offering his help to local college students showcases CCI’s family-focused values.

If you want to make your furniture look like new, or have the floor in your store shine, turn to a business like Creative Colors that supports your local community. Get your quote today.