How John Ruppe Brings Education, Honesty, and Personal Service to Storm Protection in Southwest Florida

Sitting down inside the MelloD Designs studio for a SWFL Spotlight interview, Ruppe shared how an unexpected home repair introduced him to a new industry, why relationships remain central to his work, and how his commitment to community extends far beyond windows and doors.

from homeowner to industry professional

From Homeowner to Industry Professional

John Ruppe did not begin his career in storm protection.

A business owner since 2001, he has operated carpet and air duct cleaning companies in Milwaukee and Cleveland. After moving to Southwest Florida in 2004, he continued managing those businesses while building a life in Fort Myers with his wife and children.

Then Hurricane Ian changed the direction of his professional life.

Like many Southwest Florida homeowners, Ruppe experienced storm damage when the sliding glass door at his home was compromised. A friend recommended 360 iMPACT Windows & Doors after using the company for a substantial window and door project.

That referral introduced Ruppe to Jeremiah, the company’s owner. What began as a customer relationship developed into a friendship and, eventually, a professional opportunity.

Ruppe was interested, but he was not willing to enter the industry without understanding it.

“I didn’t know anything about windows and doors,” he said.

He spent approximately eight months shadowing Jeremiah, learning about the products, installation process, project management, and decisions homeowners face. Only after that period of hands-on learning did he begin working independently with customers.

Today, Ruppe serves as both a project manager and sales manager for 360 iMPACT Windows & Doors.

the person behind the project

The Person Behind the Project

Ruppe’s approach is influenced by more than two decades of business ownership.

He understands that customers are not simply comparing windows, doors, shutters, or hurricane screens. They are making a significant decision about their homes, their finances, and their families’ safety.

That perspective shapes the way he enters each conversation.

Rather than beginning with a predetermined product, Ruppe starts by asking what the homeowner is trying to accomplish. One family may be looking for comprehensive storm protection. Another may prioritize energy efficiency. Someone else may need a more affordable way to protect a lanai or several sliding glass doors.

The right answer may be impact windows and doors, but it could also include shutters or hurricane screens.

“I look at it as trying to solve a problem.”

John Ruppe

His responsibility, as he sees it, is to present the available options, explain the differences, and help the homeowner understand which solution fits the property, budget, and long-term plans.

“I try to treat the customer like I would want to be treated in my home,” he said.

That philosophy is especially important in an industry where homeowners may receive several estimates containing different products, warranties, installation methods, and sales claims.

why personal service matters

Why Personal Service Matters

360 iMPACT Windows & Doors is a family-owned and operated company serving an area that extends from Marco Island to Venice.

Ruppe believes the company’s size allows it to provide something homeowners may struggle to find with larger operations: consistent communication and direct accountability.

Once a homeowner selects the company, Ruppe does not consider his job complete. As project manager, he remains involved through the different phases of the project.

“It’s not an in, and then you decide to go with us, and then I ride off into the sunset and you never talk to me again. We don’t operate like that.”

John Ruppe

Ruppe also tries to attend as many installations as possible. While scheduling and geography do not always make that possible, his goal is to remain connected to the work after the agreement is signed.

That continued involvement has helped him form relationships that often last beyond the project itself. Some former customers have become friends, while others have introduced him to neighbors and entire communities.

During the interview, Ruppe recalled visiting a condominium owner to discuss three bay windows. Within 45 minutes of leaving, he received a call from another resident who had heard about the conversation.

A meeting with several neighbors followed. That initial appointment eventually led to 46 customers moving forward with projects through the company.

For Ruppe, referrals like that are more than a source of business.

They are evidence that the customer felt heard, respected, and confident enough to place their own reputation behind the recommendation.

building a life in southwest florida

Building a Life in Southwest Florida

Ruppe and his wife moved to Southwest Florida in 2004. Their children were born and raised here, and their daughter attends Florida Gulf Coast University.

Over more than two decades, the family has watched Fort Myers and the surrounding region grow considerably.

When they first arrived, Ruppe saw Southwest Florida as a place where one family could become meaningfully involved.

“This is a type of city we could put a dent in,” he remembered telling his wife.

For the Ruppes, that involvement has included helping lead the Fort Myers Greek Fest.

The festival has been part of the community for more than 50 years, and John and his wife have helped run it for 11 of those years. Approximately 100 volunteers come together to operate the event, which Ruppe said now attracts roughly 12,000 to 14,000 people over three days.

The work is demanding. Much of the parishioner base is aging, which makes recruiting and coordinating volunteers increasingly important. Yet Ruppe finds it rewarding to watch an empty 10-acre property transform into a full cultural festival.

“We’re just carrying the torch,” he said.

The event also provides opportunities to support organizations serving local children and families. Ruppe said festival proceeds have helped organizations including Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Lighthouse Foundation.

Through 360 iMPACT, the community involvement continues. Ruppe said the company works with the ACT shelter, including hosting monthly pizza and ice cream gatherings for women and children staying there.

The company’s name, in his view, should describe more than the physical impact resistance of its products.

The goal is also to make a positive impact on the people and communities the company serves.

what customers may not see

What Customers May Not See

Impact windows and doors are highly visible once installed. Much of the work that determines the success of a project, however, happens before and behind the installation.

Ruppe encourages homeowners to research reviews, speak with previous customers when possible, identify the manufacturers being offered, and ask who will perform the installation.

One of the most important questions, he said, is whether the company uses its own installation teams or routinely subcontracts the work.

That distinction can become critical when a problem occurs. When several parties are involved, responsibility can be passed from one company to another, leaving the homeowner caught in the middle.

Ruppe also emphasizes that even a high-quality product depends on proper installation.

“The product is only as good as the installation.”

John Ruppe

According to Ruppe, 360 iMPACT provides a transferable lifetime workmanship and service warranty on its installations. Manufacturer warranties vary depending on the frame, glass package, and product selected, which is why he reviews those details with homeowners before they make a decision.

The conversation may also include questions that do not initially appear technical.

Is this the homeowner’s long-term residence? Are they planning to move within several years? Do they spend only part of the year in Florida? Are energy savings important, or is the immediate priority affordable storm protection?

Those answers can change the most appropriate recommendation.

For seasonal residents, the company can also coordinate projects around travel schedules. Ruppe explained that products may be ordered and warehoused until the homeowner returns, helping customers avoid potential manufacturer price increases without requiring installation while they are away.

choosing the right thing over the easy thing

Choosing the Right Thing Over the Easy Thing

Some of the clearest examples of Ruppe’s philosophy appear when a project does not proceed as planned.

He shared that if a customer experiences a serious medical diagnosis or major life change before the company has ordered the products, 360 iMPACT may release that person from the agreement rather than insist on enforcing it.

“We don’t hold them to that,” Ruppe said. “That’s the right thing to do.”

He also spoke about helping a Naples homeowner who was receiving cancer treatment in Colorado. The customer had purchased a home with a dark, poorly constructed sunroom that did not appear capable of supporting the planned impact windows.

Instead of forcing the original idea, the team redesigned the space using sliding glass doors. Ruppe described the final result as a dramatic transformation that gave the homeowner a brighter, more functional room during an already difficult period.

Stories like that remind him why the work matters.

Ruppe enjoys meeting people, hearing their stories, and educating them about choices they may not have known existed. He takes particular satisfaction in being the fourth person to provide an estimate and hearing the homeowner say, “Nobody else told me that.”