How to Get Into the Window Treatment Business
Installing window treatments requires knowledge of carpentry in constructing certain valances and installing blinds. It is difficult to run a window-treatment business as a sole proprietor. Most experts in the window treatment business enlist the help of a good seamstress or two and employees who understand how to attach heavy window treatments to house framework around the window areas. It's a good idea partner with other associates to help you physically run this type of business more easily. Hire employees outright if you have the funds to do so.
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Things You'll Need
- Catalogs of blinds and curtains
- Window design books
- Window treatment catalogs
- Home design and style books
- Seamstress
- Sewing equipment
- Business license
- Design associates
- Storage space
- Sketch pad
- Fabric swatches
- Interior design associate
- Paint color samples
Instructions
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Acquire a relationship with catalog supply houses to envision what products you will offer. Hire a seamstress to sew special curtains and drapes as well. Obtain a business license once you've found partners and a place to set up office space and storage space.
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Start with one or two customers you know well. Sell some window treatments to friends and co-workers before you take on more clients. You will need to please customers in fabric choices, types of window treatments, and installation procedures. Gain practice by doing an excellent job for each client you serve. Create pricing structure based on excellent products and excellent serve to produce a good profit. Keep careful records of time invested, cost of materials, and labor costs you pay out of pocket.
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Pass out business cards and brochures in upscale neighborhoods. Rent a booth at a local home show once you've gained experience and feel more confident about your business. Contact all sewing stores, seamstresses, and tailors in your area to let them know you create special window treatments. This way, you capitalize on clients they have engaged. Offer to give them references from your customers as well.
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Visit model homes and scan home design books and catalogs often. Keep up to date on what's current in the window treatment business. Visit fabric stores to learn what's new as well. Take pictures of window treatments you've created or seen personally to start building a portfolio for sharing with clients. Offer a wide variety of choices.
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Engage an interior decorator to work with you after you're earning a good profit. Pay him or her a fee to offer opinions on jobs that require expertise beyond your capabilities. Ask the interior decorator to help you gain contracts with hotel renovations or business remodeling when you have capital to invest in the supplies for creating the window treatments. Approach a bank about a small business loan to go after larger projects.
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Tips & Warnings
Give homeowners and business owners the choice in what to select. Steer them to what you would choose, but encourage individuals to make a decision they feel confident about. While simulated wood blinds might be appealing to you, for example, a client might feel unhappy with anything but real wooden blinds if his home is pricey.
Window treatments can be extremely heavy if mounted on a wooden valance above two or more windows. Hire a carpenter or building expert to secure the hardware for these large pieces. Heavy window treatments can hurt someone or damage a section of the wall if they pull loose.
