Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kelsey Stuart, CEO of Bloomin' Blinds, located in Plano, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Bloomin' Blinds is an "all-in-one" window covering company providing in-home sales, installation, and repair for residential and commercial markets.
Tell us about yourself
Bloomin' Blinds originated as a family company started by my Mom. I grew up in this industry. My brothers and I have served every role in the operation of a window-covering company, and sharing this information with franchise owners provide a wonderful sense of satisfaction. Adding to our franchise owner's businesses is more motivation than you could ever imagine!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Evolving from an owner/operator to a business team member. Getting past the fear of letting go of control limits many business owners - this crippled our growth for years. If you are going to scale a good business, you can't do it all, and while it was hard to do, it's been worth every step of that emotional journey.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Having the fortitude to roll with the ups and downs of your business, the volumes, and the cash flow management. Only with time and experience will a business owner develop confidence in their decisions and business path. There are easy days and there are incredibly hard days, but in the long run, if you stick with it and do what you promise, it generally works out pretty well.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Learn to manage your cash flow. Realize that running a business is a skill set - the widget you use to conduct transactions is just that, a widget. Once you master the art of running a business, you can do it with any widget. Build a team vs. trying to do it all yourself, break beyond the control of holding all of the cards by yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.bloominblinds.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BloominBlindsFranchiseCorp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloominblinds/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomin-blinds/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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