A Blinds Business Plan to Kick-Start Your Entrepreneurship Journey

Starting your own business is one of the most rewarding and exciting thing that you can do. It can be challenging at times, but going ahead with your own blinds business will allow you to turn your dedication and passion into a successful enterprise. All you need is the right blinds business plan to follow.

When it comes to the modern-day marketplace, there is no winning without a successful blinds business plan. To help you join the dots, we have created this guide for your blinds business.

Pros and Cons of starting a blinds business?

Before we get to the steps, first have a look at the pros and cons. Starting a blinds business is not an easy task but it can be successful if done right.

Everything comes with positives and negatives. But, in this case, the pros definitely outnumber the cons as your new journey in the blinds business awaits you.

• Pros of blinds business

The new ideas can never run out! There is always something new in the market, showing great numbers that we get attracted to. To actually make it happen, first you have to find one idea and stick to it. If that idea is blinds business, count some benefits with us.

1. A thriving market

Profitability is the most essential aspect of any business and the first factor that needs to be studied. The first step towards entrepreneurship must be to first look for a market that has potential for growth. Luckily, the blinds market has a lot of empty space that you can fill in.

Not much branding is done and there is a lot of potential for new entrepreneurs to emerge in this thriving market if they promise to offer top-notch blinds products.

2. You get to be your own boss!

It’s always empowering and liberating to be your own boss and control your business from anywhere. You have the freedom to decide the scale of your business and the best part is that you can start your blinds business with a small investment.

3. Flexibility to expand

There is a lot of potential in the blinds market and with the right blinds business plan, you can grow in many ways. You will be able to offer new products, introduce different designs, and play around with fabrics that your audience may like.

When you have already started, you know the market even better and the decisions you make while being in the market are way better than putting a huge investment in something you’re not experienced in.

4. Discounts and perks in the blinds business

When you have contacts and make bulk purchases for raw materials and even end-products that are blinds, you will enjoy some discounts and perks. As a seller, you typically get amazing deals to save some pounds.

5. Quick build time

Most people prefer jobs over business because it takes a lot of time, effort and patience to build up a business. There is always an uncertainty about when you will be able to earn back and it takes years.

But, with the blinds business it takes around 7 months on average to establish a business that gives back, so it’s a win!

• The cons of the blinds business

The blinds business seems like a perfect plan to execute but there are always some possible blockades in the path.

Although the market for blinds is perfect for those who want to make a small investment, scale up the business with time and get the most return on investment, yet, a few cons are there that you might want to know about.

1. Blind manufacturing can be cumbersome

This is one of the most essential steps in the blinds business plan and certainly the hardest one. Finding the right reliable suppliers and getting your designs made by them can be a long and grinding process.

You can either decide to manufacture the products yourselves or get them made by others. Blinds require sophisticated equipment to be manufactured. The option you will be going for depends on your product line and expertise in this matter.

However, every business demands some kind of hardship and yours can be easier if you are passionate about it. Keep your eyes on the prize when going through this phase. When you are done with manufacturing blinds, the rest is a piece of cake.

2. The terror of self-employment taxes

You will be paying self-employment taxes when working on your own blinds business and that can be quite high. It is a must to do the math and determine whether your budget allows it and if your efforts and working are worth it or not.

On the bright side, this type of business brings so many opportunities that eventually you will not have to worry about these taxes because the revenues will be much higher.

3. Working in blinds can be like watching paint dry

We can’t skip the part where it gets really dull and boring to repeat the same process and deal with the same old stuff. However, it's in your hands to bring in some color.

You’re giving makeover to windows, bringing life to someone’s living room, you must keep the spirit alive.

Steps to start your blinds business

One of the biggest mistakes new business owners make is starting out without a plan. It is essential to do your research first and understand what your potential customers want, before you launch your business.

With all these steps in place, you will be on your way to starting a blinds business successfully.

1. Put on your geek gear and research the market

You need to perform a detailed market analysis, understand the highs and lows, spot the pain points and come up with something that fills all the gaps.

Try to look for recent reports on the trends, stats and revenue percentages to analyse how much you should spend. Here is a report on blinds business UK by IBIS World that has all the essential information you might be looking for.

Next step would be to research reliable vendors in the UK that offer bulk products at a reasonable price. This can be done with a simple Google search to see what is offered. Read reviews of the suppliers and try to get their contacts from people you know or professionals in the industry.

2. Competitor’s research

When starting out any business, many entrepreneurs look at their competitors and wonder: what are they doing?

The goal should be to do better.

Read their bad reviews and analyse what they are doing wrong and study the pain points of customers. Make sure that these will be your unique selling points.

Offer what they lack because their weakness must be your strength.

Here are some 1-star reviews of an Amazon product. One thing’s for sure; no blinds with a bad mounting system when you claim otherwise.

3. Choose the scale of your custom blinds online business

To start your own blinds business, it is important to understand that the process will differ depending on the type of company you are aiming to open.

If you have a small residential or commercial blinds business and have no need for a large workforce, then setting up your own private label brand or by becoming an intermediary can be a good option.

You will not only be able to sell your products at retail stores but also earn profits from each sale. The process of setting up this kind of blinds business involves finding customers, developing various products with different prices and promotional offers etc.

4. Work out your budget for blinds business

What will your startup cost be? How much will you invest in your new blinds business?

Well, it depends on what you have planned for it. Also, on what your research tells you.

The scale you choose for your blinds manufacturing business will determine your total budget. What you have got to do now is to assign a certain amount to each sector.

Break the budget for fixed costs first. It includes the monthly expenses such as employee salaries, marketing costs, lease for an office space or warehouse (if you have one) and utility bills including internet and phone plans.

Next you will have to add up the variable costs that might change over the course of time. Variable expenses change from month to month but you must have an average cut from the total budget of your custom blinds online business for them.

Predict one-time spendings such as blind manufacturing and creation of online blinds solution and include it in the budget. Put it all together and you are good to go.

You can use a budget calculator such as Natwest to assist you and make this step faster and easier.

5. Consult with industrial professionals

You’re new in the market and there’s no shame in getting help. Consult professionals with experience and make notes.

Get some tips on how to do your best. Learn from their experience and apply it to your young and blooming window blinds business.

This is where you work on your networking. Check out the vendors they are using, get contacts of suppliers and make the right decisions for your company.

6. Choose a name for your window blinds online business

Finding the right name can be the most time-taking and cumbersome task. You want the name to be unique and describe what you do. The hint of your story must be reflected in the little title.

But the real task comes when you have to find the domain for your name. A real struggle!

There is a website called Namelix that helps you find the perfect name for your perfect journey. Here is how Namelix works.

1. Type in your brand keyword. Any phrase that describes your custom blinds online business perfectly.

2. What level of randomness are you looking for in your blinds business brand name? Select the suitable option.

3. Choose a style that you would like to follow in your brand name and press ‘Generate’.

4. Viola! You have so many options to choose from.

The best part is that these designs can be edited to give you a brand name that is a true depiction of your blind manufacturing business.

7. Visuals for online presence

Design the logos and choose the colour scheme you will be going for. You can hire a graphic designer or do it yourself.

Either way, the main focus must be on giving a face to your brand. An easy-to-use and free tool for this purpose is Canva.

Pour your creativity on the canvas and come up with the face of your brand.

8. Get an online blinds business eCommerce solution

You need a website where you can sell your products. Follow the main theme of your logos and designs and hire a team of experts to do it for you.

You need an eCommerce site that has all the essential features you are looking for. Here are some of the features you need in your window blinds online business solution:

• The website must be responsive

• It should work perfectly on all devices

• The interface should be user-friendly

• Matrix system for custom measurements

• Offers custom pricing for selected measurements

• Multiple secure payment options

• Help button to check the faqs

• Easy product browsing

• Reviews and testimonials

• Live chat for website visitors

Are you wondering where you can find this long list of features? Wow Commerce offers the perfect online solution that checks all the essentials and helps you satisfy your clients not once but over and over again.

9. Define a product line

You will have to define your product line. There are many options available in the market but you must be careful while selecting the products that you will offer.

Offering too much can affect the quality, especially when you are new in business. Firstly, you can start with a few products and then expand your business with time.

Here is an example of types of products Blinds Direct is offering to their clients. Depending on the scale of your business, you can determine how many you can handle.

It’s not just about different types of products, there are also many related products that can be used as an up-sell trick. Adding some of the side products to your product line is important because it helps you sell more.

Someone looking for window blinds might also be interested in shutters and door blinds. Give them the opportunity to buy more and you will not be disappointed.

10. Decide what number goes on your price tags

How will you price your products? Determining how much your product will cost depends on many factors.

To begin with, you need to analyse the cost of your product, then add upon the related costs that go on maintenance of your business, then a certain profit is added and that gives you the price of your blinds.

You will also have to research the prices of your competitors to get an edge over others. Don’t offer too little but a certain cut in prices can attract many.

Here is how Blinds Direct priced their products.

11. Get legal services

Secure your venture with insurance coverage, including liability insurance and automobile insurance if you have a car that you use for work purposes.

Establish a relationship with an insurance broker who can advise you on the best types and amounts of coverage for your needs, as well as how to manage fluctuations in coverage over time as your blinds business grows or changes form.

12. Officially register your business

Register your company with your state government and set up a business bank account.

This is where things get serious because now you are officially in the game. Don’t panic because things will work out just fine.

Make it official and start the unstoppable work.

13. Get an online presence and market your blinds brand

A website and social media are a must, so you should plan to invest in them and maintain them regularly. It is important that you promote window blinds and make sure the right people know about your brand.

Mastering technology is the key to success in any business these days. So, it's essential to spend some time choosing the right tools and training yourself on how to use them in order to maximize efficiency and productivity in your work.

You need to find your target customers in order to hit them with suitable ads.

Ultimately, it’s all about getting the word out and letting people know you exist. People who are looking for some quality blinds!

Tips for a better marketing strategy online

This is where you build and market blinds business online so make sure you do it right.

• Make it easy for customers to give positive reviews for your products by providing complimentary samples or coupons, etc.

• Market your blinds brand on social media as per your budget.

• Create attractive slogans that get stuck in the head.

• Use any opportunity you can get to sell.

• Offer sales on events and make sure you spread the word about it.

• Make certain that your online software system is going great to ensure smooth sales whenever someone decides to purchase from you. For this peace of mind, go for WowCommerce for your blinds online solution.

The right eCommerce platform can be a game changer

A business website is like an employee working 24/7, making impressions all day long. You don’t want it to throw people off, do you?

Your online blinds shop must be flawless so make sure you are getting your eCommerce system from a reliable company such as WowCommerce.

Research shows that a visitor decides if he has to stay on the website in the first few seconds. You need to make sure to fetch the attention in the first impression.

What would you need? Fast loading page speed? An eye-catching design? Clear and concise data? The right call-to-action?

You name it, we make it.

Our blinds eCommerce solution comes with all the right features to help you make a difference. With such a class-leading eCommerce platform, online business is easier than ever.

Summary

If you are thinking about starting a custom blinds online business on your own, all you need to do is follow the right blinds business plan.

You will have to start with intense research to get to know the market, analyse what your competitors are offering and create a blinds business plan that offers everything better than them.

Now the important step would be to determine on what scale your online blinds business will operate. This varies from person to person based on their investment. You must create a budget beforehand so nothing comes out of the blue.

Work on the name, visuals, product line, pricing and online blinds solution.

Consult the professionals of the industry for some tips that might help you. Make sure all the legal requirements for your custom blinds online business are fulfilled and get your business registered.

The most essential step of all, adopt a marketing strategy, followed by a detailed analysis of the market and sell your products like no one else. It’s your turn to outshine all your competitors and let your customers know your worth.

Don’t get overwhelmed and never give up. Success is just around the corner!

This article originally appeared on the wowcommerce.co.uk of start blind business and is republished with permission.