August 30, 2004
Blind ambition | A chat with Ed Platts, owner of Designer Blinds of Maine in Gorham.
By Dorothy Ogrodowczyk
Founded: November 2003
Annual revenues, 2003: $2,000
Projected revenues, 2004: $25,000
Address: 22 Maple Ridge Rd., Gorham
Phone: 839-8788
Web: www.designerblindsofmaine.com
Describe what your company does.
Designer Blinds of Maine provides a wide variety of custom-made window treatments, blinds, shades and interior shutters. I offer in-home consultations that allow customers to shop in the comfort of their own homes and match their décor. I don't offer [drapes and curtains] myself, but I work closely with people who can make them to complement the hard window treatments I offer. I also do blind repair and commercial window treatments.
How many employees do you have?
One, but I can hire qualified [contractors] for a large job.
When did you first get the idea for the company?
Before living in Gorham, I lived in the Dallas, Texas, area for a couple of years, and I measured and installed window treatments for a friend who owned a window treatment business. I also worked as an installer at an interior design company. After I returned to Maine, I decided to launch my own business and become self-employed.
What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Finding the right advertising venues ˆ it's still a challenge. I've been advertising in small community newspapers. I also have brochures, and my website is listed with several search engines. I had a sign company print my logo on my vehicle, which has generated some business. Radio [advertising] is something I want to get into, but it's so expensive at the saturation level I would want.
How did you finance the launch of your business, and what did it cost?
I used savings, and it cost about $6,000 to set up. I needed to buy a computer, fax machine, desks, a business phone line, a website and samples.
What was your first day in business like?
It was fine. I was very confident I had selected vendors with high quality products, and I had a wide selection. I knew I had the products to match my customers' budgets and décor.
What could stop you?
I'm very positive about what I have to offer. My biggest hurdle is getting my name out there and advertising. Once people meet me and I get into their house, 99% of the time they are happy to do business with me.
What's the competition like, and how do you differ?
The bigger stores, like JCPenney, Home Depot and Sears, are definitely competition. They have bigger advertising budgets. But because of my low overhead, I can offer free onsite design consultation and installation and still meet or beat their prices ˆ even their sale prices.
What are your plans for growth?
I'd like to open a showroom in addition to the shop-at-home service and hire another person to do sales and installation.
What resources have proven most useful?
Initially, when I was thinking about starting the business, I took the Service Corps of Retired Executives seminars. I continue to attend seminars by the blind manufacturers that I work with. I am a certified professional installer with Hunter Douglas. I am also a member of the Gorham Business & Civic Exchange, which allows members to share marketing and business information in a noncompetitive setting.
Describe a mistake you've made in your business, and what you learned from it.
The first customers I had were not sure what they wanted, and I think I overwhelmed them by presenting them with too many choices. I saw that deer-in-the-headlights look. So I decided to come up with a questionnaire, which really helps to narrow down the options. It saves time for both the customer and myself.
If you were given $500,000 toward your business, what would you do with it?
I'd study traffic flows and open a storefront. And advertise, advertise, advertise!
Say a neighbor paints his house neon green. What type of window covering do you recommend for that?
I would hope a neighbor wouldn't paint his house neon green to start, but with the variety of color choices available, I'm sure we could find something that would work.
New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to dorothyo@mainebiz.biz.
Annual revenues, 2003: $2,000
Projected revenues, 2004: $25,000
Address: 22 Maple Ridge Rd., Gorham
Phone: 839-8788
Web: www.designerblindsofmaine.com
Describe what your company does.
Designer Blinds of Maine provides a wide variety of custom-made window treatments, blinds, shades and interior shutters. I offer in-home consultations that allow customers to shop in the comfort of their own homes and match their décor. I don't offer [drapes and curtains] myself, but I work closely with people who can make them to complement the hard window treatments I offer. I also do blind repair and commercial window treatments.
How many employees do you have?
One, but I can hire qualified [contractors] for a large job.
When did you first get the idea for the company?
Before living in Gorham, I lived in the Dallas, Texas, area for a couple of years, and I measured and installed window treatments for a friend who owned a window treatment business. I also worked as an installer at an interior design company. After I returned to Maine, I decided to launch my own business and become self-employed.
What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Finding the right advertising venues ˆ it's still a challenge. I've been advertising in small community newspapers. I also have brochures, and my website is listed with several search engines. I had a sign company print my logo on my vehicle, which has generated some business. Radio [advertising] is something I want to get into, but it's so expensive at the saturation level I would want.
How did you finance the launch of your business, and what did it cost?
I used savings, and it cost about $6,000 to set up. I needed to buy a computer, fax machine, desks, a business phone line, a website and samples.
What was your first day in business like?
It was fine. I was very confident I had selected vendors with high quality products, and I had a wide selection. I knew I had the products to match my customers' budgets and décor.
What could stop you?
I'm very positive about what I have to offer. My biggest hurdle is getting my name out there and advertising. Once people meet me and I get into their house, 99% of the time they are happy to do business with me.
What's the competition like, and how do you differ?
The bigger stores, like JCPenney, Home Depot and Sears, are definitely competition. They have bigger advertising budgets. But because of my low overhead, I can offer free onsite design consultation and installation and still meet or beat their prices ˆ even their sale prices.
What are your plans for growth?
I'd like to open a showroom in addition to the shop-at-home service and hire another person to do sales and installation.
What resources have proven most useful?
Initially, when I was thinking about starting the business, I took the Service Corps of Retired Executives seminars. I continue to attend seminars by the blind manufacturers that I work with. I am a certified professional installer with Hunter Douglas. I am also a member of the Gorham Business & Civic Exchange, which allows members to share marketing and business information in a noncompetitive setting.
Describe a mistake you've made in your business, and what you learned from it.
The first customers I had were not sure what they wanted, and I think I overwhelmed them by presenting them with too many choices. I saw that deer-in-the-headlights look. So I decided to come up with a questionnaire, which really helps to narrow down the options. It saves time for both the customer and myself.
If you were given $500,000 toward your business, what would you do with it?
I'd study traffic flows and open a storefront. And advertise, advertise, advertise!
Say a neighbor paints his house neon green. What type of window covering do you recommend for that?
I would hope a neighbor wouldn't paint his house neon green to start, but with the variety of color choices available, I'm sure we could find something that would work.
New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to dorothyo@mainebiz.biz.
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