Blinds, Window Treatments

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Remember to do your homework. Window treatments are an investment in your home. I try to educate my potential clients. We have several different levels of products for their budget and all come with lifetime warranties. I will not sacrifice quality for cheap blinds. All window treatments are not the same. Do your homework!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. How long have you been in business? Do you have references? Are you involved with The Chamber of Commerce,Better Business Bureau or any other professional organizations? Do your products come with warranties, with installation? What name brands do you sell? What do the warranties provide?

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Being in this business for over 20 years, I have seen just about every situation and difficult window treatment issues that you might have. I also only sell top name brand products that have lifetime warranties. We are a HunterDouglas Showcase dealer, the number 1 window treatment manufacture in the world. You can't buy their products online or in the big box retailers, you have to come to a local dealer. I pride myself on quality and service after the sale.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. About me , I am a 2nd generation interior decorator with over 20 years experience. About the profession, all blinds are not created equal. There are different quality of blinds, shutters and shades just like there are different quality of anything else and You Do get what you pay for. You pay a cheap price you get a cheap blind. Like I said before, do your homework!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. With HunterDouglas, you have quartely online seminars and yearly conventions you are required to attend. It gets you updated on the newest products and also the new window fashion trends. Other companies that we carry, have similar requirements. Unlike the big box retailers this is all we do , window treatments . And we want to be knowledgeble so we can answer your questions and handle your project with confidence.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. Motorization and cordless blinds and shades are starting to become more and more popular. We have been doing motorization for about 10 years now. There are more products on the market now that can be motorized and it is gaining popularity. It's great just to push a button and your blinds or shades open and close. Cordless blinds and shades are getting popular especially with families with small children. There is a big push to make these products safer, and cordless is the answer.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. My greatest strength, I believe is my community involvement. I am the Past President of the Port Orange/South Daytona Chamber of Commerce, I'm on the Port Orange Planning Commission, The Port Orange Family Days Board, I am the President of the Riverside Pavillion Board, and I'm the recorder for the Epiphany church Knights of Columbus. I believe in business, it's not always about taking from the community, but also giving back.

Q. What are you currently working on improving?

A. Having more affordable products for our customers. With this economy, unfortunately price usually is the bottom line. I'm am trying to find lower cost for my customers on products, but I still won't sacrifice quality over price. Because I know, down the line it will come back to haunt me. I have clients that have had our products in their homes for 20 years and their still working great, you don't get that with cheap products. Like I said before, we do have products for every budget.