Facing the Fear at 1935 Feet
My wife is tough. Anyone who knows her understands that. But heights are not her thing. Put her on solid ground, and she is unstoppable. Put her in a tiny chair suspended over open air, climbing almost 2000 feet above the ocean on Monte Solaro, and it gets real for her.
So when we reached Capri and I suggested the single seat chairlift, I honestly would not have blamed her if she passed. The thing is basically a wooden chair with a bar in front of you and your feet hanging over the entire island. If you are afraid of heights, it is no joke.
But she said yes.
She sat in that little chair, lifted off the ground, and let courage outrun fear. And because she pushed through the discomfort, she got a view that you simply cannot experience from anywhere else on the island.
Here is what I was reminded of. Growth rarely feels comfortable in the moment. It usually feels shaky, awkward, and a little bit terrifying. But when you choose to move anyway, even with a beating heart and sweaty hands, you open the door to moments you would have never seen otherwise.
And standing at the top of that mountain, watching her smile after conquering something that scared her, I could not have been more proud of her.
Joe Altieri is the Inventor and former CEO of FlexScreen. His product – the world’s first and only flexible window screen - was featured on ABC’s hit show, Shark Tank, where he hooked a deal with the proclaimed “Queen of QVC,” Lori Greiner.
BY JOE ALTIERI
A third-generation entrepreneur, Joe Altieri, is the inventor, founder, and former CEO of FlexScreen.
During his 20+ years in the window industry, Joe recognized the inherent problems with old-style aluminum window screens and personally dealt with constant customer frustration. Always an outside-the-box thinker, he knew there had to be a better way, so he set up shop in his garage and got to work. After years of trial and error, FlexScreen, the world's first and only flexible window screen, was born.
As the first "new" idea in an old industry, FlexScreen quickly gained international attention and earned multiple awards. Most notably, FlexScreen was catapulted to the forefront when Joe appeared on ABC's hit show, Shark Tank™, in January 2020. Three of the five Sharks battled for a piece of FlexScreen with Lori Greiner, the Queen of QVC, ultimately winning the deal. Since that first appearance, Joe has appeared on Shark Tank twice more in update segments highlighting the meteoric rise of FlexScreen in the window industry, with Lori Greiner stating, "I actually think that FlexScreen may wind up to be one of the best and most successful products in Shark Tank history."
In February 2025, FlexScreen was acquired by RiteScreen - the largest independent manufacturer of window screens in America. What started as an idea in Joe's garage has become a true American Dream success story.
Joe is a firm believer in giving back and is generous with his resources and time. He has been honored and recognized as one of Pittsburgh's Volunteers of the Year. He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, Alisha. They have four children, seven grandchildren, and one very pampered Cane Corso.
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