Guest Profile: Ryan Murray Ryan Murray is the owner & CEO of AAA Blind & Shutter Factory in Little River, SC. AAA is a fabricator and dealer of Shutters, Roller Shades and Blinds. Ryan comes from outside the window treatment industry with a diverse background in finance & accounting, sales & marketing and was most recently a General Manager for a large MedTech company. Ryan acquired AAA in 2024 by following the path of ETA (entrepreneurship thru acquisition), and has successfully...
May 20, 2025•55 min•Ep. 45
Guest Profile: Mike Stolte Introduction: In a recent episode of Marketing Panes, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Stolte, the driving force behind 406 Blinds, Montana’s top-rated window treatment business. Mike's journey from managing satellite TV installers to leading a thriving local business is a testament to grit, strategic local marketing, and a deep commitment to community. His story is an inspiring example of turning challenges into opportunities. Summary: Mike Stolte's path ...
Apr 22, 2025•34 min
Guests Profile: Joe Kendall President - Made in the Shade Eastern Shore Owns Kendall furniture , Made in the shade dealer went from 58th place, to 5th place, to second place and in 2024 #1 Volume dealer in North America Ryan Gilberts Owner of Shaded Window Coverings With over a decade in the window covering industry, Ryan launched Shaded Window Coverings in 2022 to bring his vision to life. Starting as an installer and moving into sales, he quickly mastered the business and took the leap to entr...
Mar 25, 2025•39 min•Ep. 44
Guest Profile: Amy Wollf She is an award winning designer and decorator providing custom window treatments in Scottsdale. WINNER 2022 VISION Design Award - Outdoor WINNER 2021 - Top Treatments WINNER 2017 - Specialty Windows | Certified Interior Decorator Amy recently celebrated being in the industry for 20 years! She has developed a reputation for successfully delivering functional solutions for intricate or technically challenging window configurations including custom window shades, custom an...
Mar 05, 2025•41 min
SummaryIn this episode of Marketing Panes, window treatment experts Josh Tycksen (Best Blinds and Sexy Shutters, Arizona) and Vince Sturkie (Best Blinds and Shutters, Carolinas) shared their experiences from 2024 and insights for 2025. The discussion covered market trends, technological adaptations, and strategic business approaches in the window treatment industry.Guests Profile:Vince SturkieStarted Best Blinds in 2001 after spending years in the mortgage banking industry. In 2001 I started and...
Dec 24, 2024•59 min
Guest Profile: David SoriaDavid has been in the industry since the mid 90s before joining America's Window Covering Buying Network in 2021. His previous experiences include in-home sales for a local retailer and sales management as well as field sales for national brand suppliers to the industry.Other Notes/Links:To learn more about David Soria visit:America's Window Covering Buying Networkpssst.... want to be a guest on the show?Listen to other episodes Video https://youtu.be/VO5DQ6HmtmU Click ...
Dec 04, 2024•35 min•Ep. 41
Guest Profile: Jessica HarlingJessica Harling is a 4th Generation Window Treatment Specialist, founder of Behind the Design, and leading expert in employee and process development for design trade organizations. Behind the Design nurtures top talent through recruiting, onsite and online training, and consults with leadership in streamlining processes that increase productivity and impact the company’s bottom line.Other Notes/Links:To learn more about Jessica Harling visit:Go Behind The Designpss...
Dec 04, 2024•38 min•Ep. 41
Guest Profile: Michelle WilliamsMichele Williams is the dynamic owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting and Metrique Solutions, specializing in empowering creative professionals in the design industry. She offers strategic business coaching and financial analytics, helping interior designers, workrooms, and window covering professionals navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Through Scarlet Thread Consulting, Michele provides tailored coaching to achieve financial clarity and operational effi...
Oct 15, 2024•48 min•Ep. 40
Guest Profile: Georgiana Schwandt Georgiana (Georgi) Giese Schwandt, founder of Incredible Windows, hails from central Illinois where she imbibed the values of hard work, compassion, and dedication. A former educator with 28 years of experience across four school districts, Georgi now leads her team in covering thousands of windows in the greater Madison, WI area. Her commitment to serving clients with kindness and respect remains unwavering. Other Notes/Links: To learn more about Georgiana Schw...
Oct 14, 2024•26 min
Key TakeawaysThe market is seeing a shift towards luxury clients and budget-conscious customers.Technology integration, such as smart home features, is becoming increasingly important.Hiring and training remain crucial for business growth.The Sun Shading Expo showcased innovations in exterior shading solutions.Current Market TrendsShift in Customer BaseMike Lewis notes a significant change in their customer base:"We've seen a lot of people go extra luxury and cost really wasn't a factor... Or th...
Oct 08, 2024•52 min
Guest Profile: Casey RichardsonCasey Richardson is a Partner & Co-Founder at Craft Agency Group, a white label agency specializing in lead generation Facebook Ads. Focusing on niche agencies working with local service providers, Craft fills a gap in the white label marketplace - offering Facebook Ads at the highest level possible. Casey is known for his data-driven approach and expertise in testing and optimization, making him one of the most sought after strategists in the industry.Casey’s ...
Oct 01, 2024•35 min•Ep. 39
Guest Profile: LuAnn NigaraLuAnn Nigara is a dynamic media personality, keynote speaker and seasoned entrepreneur, best known as an original founder of Window Works in Livingston, New Jersey, and current co-owner of Exciting Windows. She is the host of the top rated podcast, A Well Designed Business, and the founder of LuAnn Nigara Inc., which supports creative entrepreneurs through live events. Luann University and coaching. Luann's newest podcast, Window Treatments for Profit, focuses on the c...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 38
Guest Profile: Sandra VanSickleSandra VanSickle is a respected figure in the window coverings industry, known for her extensive expertise spanning over three decades in custom window treatments. She owns and operates Sew What's New, LLC, a prominent wholesale studio and training center based in Apex, NC. Sandra excels in creating high-quality window treatments and shares her wealth of knowledge through online courses, hands-on workshops, articles, and speaking engagements.In addition to her stu...
Sep 03, 2024•42 min•Ep. 37
Explore the latest insights on the Google Core Update and actionable SEO strategies for window treatment businesses. Learn how to enhance visibility through quality content and authentic visuals.
Sep 01, 2024•8 min
Guest Profile: Kathy PaceKathy Cragg Pace is a megawatt beacon of growth, expertly guiding window treatment sales professionals into the world of thriving they deserve. In a sea of sales sameness, Kathy helps design sales pros fearlessly find their success with her Modern Sales Way, encouraging them to throw out everything we’ve all been taught about “closing a sale,” replacing it with the brightness of human connection and learning how to deliver an irresistible selling experience.Her specialt...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 36
SummaryIn this conversation, Will Hanke provides updates on the industry trends and offers tips to offset the decrease in leads. He discusses the current trend of leads being down and attributes it to factors like the economy and the election. He mentions that paid ad costs, particularly on Google ads, are increasing. Will suggests exploring other platforms like Nextdoor and Yelp for advertising. He also talks about the importance of utilizing social media platforms, building a YouTube channel, ...
Aug 13, 2024•12 min•Ep. 4
Guest Profile: Jonathan MastJonathan Mast - Pioneering AI Prompting Mastery for Business and Marketing ExcellenceSince his digital debut in 1995, Jonathan Mast has been a visionary in integrating marketing and business operations with AI. Founder of the seven-figure digital marketing agency Valorous Circle, he has collaborated with over 400 clients, demonstrating his ability to scale businesses online through proven marketing strategies. Now at White Beard Strategies, Jonathan focuses on AI prom...
Aug 06, 2024•42 min•Ep. 35
Key TakeawaysMindset is crucial to business success as it allows for personalized approaches and decision-making that align with individual strengths and goals.Self-sabotage is a common barrier to business growth and can manifest as fear, imposter syndrome, or a lack of trust in oneself.Steps to reverse self-sabotage and grow a business include self-awareness, challenging limiting beliefs, setting clear goals, and taking focused time for reflection and planning.Daily practices, such as writin...
Jul 23, 2024•40 min•Ep. 34
Guest Profile: Georgiana SchwandtGeorgiana (Georgi) Giese Schwandt, founder of Incredible Windows, hails from central Illinois where she imbibed the values of hard work, compassion, and dedication. A former educator with 28 years of experience across four school districts, Georgi now leads her team in covering thousands of windows in the greater Madison, WI area. Her commitment to serving clients with kindness and respect remains unwavering.Other Notes/Links:To learn more about Georgiana Schwand...
Mar 18, 2024•26 min
Guest Profile: Kelsey StuartKelsey is a second-generation window covering professional with personal experience for nearly 20 years, both in the field as well as in franchise leadership. As the CEO of Bloomin' Blinds, Kelsey is passionate about the strategic growth and scaling of each franchise business and creating a culture of raving fans. Kelsey leads the corporate franchise team as the example, rather than the exception, and takes pride in a team that interacts like family.Other Notes/Links:...
Dec 22, 2023•49 min
Guest Profile: Rory McNeilRory McNeil, born in London to Scottish parents, embarked on his journey in the window coverings industry by hand-staining 2" wood blind slats, when wood slats didn't come pre-finished in the 70s. As part of the family business based in Scotland, he swiftly progressed to more intricate tasks like stapling roller shade fabrics onto wood rollers. He played a pivotal role in the expansion of Eclipse Blinds in Scotland, eventually establishing its US subsidiary in Miami in ...
Aug 15, 2023•48 min
Guest Profile: Anders HallAnders Hall started with Solar shading back in 1993 as a Sales rep for Hunter Douglas. Managed Project Sales for the last 4 years until 2001 when he joined Somfy Nordic AB as Project Sales Manager. 2014 he moved position to Somfy SA (International) as Int Business Developer.In parallel, Anders Hall became active in ES-SO (the European Solar Shading Organization) in 2006 and since 2012 he has been a Board member and Chairman of the Marketing Committee. www.es-so.com.As o...
May 23, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Guest Profile: Renee DeMichiei FarrowRenee DeMichiei Farrow is the founder the award-winning business Decorating Details, LLC. Decorating Details is an award-winning, woman-owned, and operated firm specializing in window treatments. The firm grew from a small Pittsburgh-area business to a national company, designing spaces for Fortune 500 companies and more than forty high-end skilled nursing facilities across the country. Renee's decades of experience in the industry, and her extensive experien...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Guest Profile: Tabitha BeasleyTabitha Beasley started with Greenhouse Fabrics 21 years ago as a customer service representative. She has had the privilege of watching the company grow customers, fabric skus, employees and sales over these past years. In 2019 Greenhouse was able to launch Anna Elisabeth Fabrics to offer more decorative fabrics curated to the designer.Other Notes/Links:To learn more about Tabitha Beasley visit: Greenhouse Fabricspssst.... want to be a guest on the show?Listen to o...
Apr 25, 2023•34 min
Guest Profile: Ryan GilbertsWith 10+ years of experience in the custom window covering industry and 20+ years of customer service, Shaded Window Coverings was established. We provide a wide variety of window coverings from multiple manufacturers to suit your specific needs and budget. Not only do we provide a wide variety of window treatments, but we also provide superior customer service from the first time you call, to the time we leave your house after the installation!Other Notes/Links:To le...
Apr 11, 2023•36 min
Guest Profile: Robin DuBroyRobin brings 12+ years of experience as an educator, guiding individual instruction and creating and designing personalized learning plans, to her role as Director of Operations at Shazeebo. She oversees every aspect of the business from selling and marketing to training and installation. Her primary focus is developing the Shazeebo brand and ensuring that all of our customers and contractors get a great product. In 2021 she launched the Shazeebo Dealer Program. Drawin...
Mar 28, 2023•22 min
Guest Profile: Vita VygovskaVitalia (Vita) Vygovska is the award-winning author, speaker, business coach, and window treatment specialist. Her company, Vitalia, Inc. Window Treatments, is a comprehensive fabrication, measurement, installation, and project management service. It is a one-stop-shop, expert go-to resource for design firms looking for support with window treatments, upholstery, and related products. In business since 2006, Vita and her team are proud to be experts in their narrow fi...
Mar 07, 2023•53 min
Guest Profile: Madeleine MacraeMadeleine is Founder & CEO of HomePro Toolbox.Madeleine MacRae is a business and leadership coach who focuses on bringing her clients thought-provoking, practical, usable content that accelerates their implementation and secures their long- and short-term results. She loves the grit and determination of small- to mid-sized business owners and has dedicated her career to helping them and their teams.Other Notes/Links:To learn more about Madeleine Macrae visit: H...
Feb 21, 2023•38 min
Guest Profile: Vincent NigaraYears in the Window Treatment Business: 40Areas of Expertise: Operations, systems, finance, keeping your bottom line inlineHow He’ll Transform Your Company: Vin will find efficiencies you didn’t know existed, streamline your working models, and help you forge a path to profit.Vin is a relentless entrepreneur and business developer—and has been since 1978. With his prior experience as VP of Franchise Sales for two prominent industry companies, he brings unparalleled e...
Feb 07, 2023•48 min
Guest Profile: Frank HendersonCEO of Henderson Sewing Machine Co. Inc a provider of Industrial Sewing machines, parts and Automated Systems integration of robotics in sewing.Other Notes/Links:To learn more about Frank Henderson visit: Hendersonsewing.compssst.... want to be a guest on the show?Listen to other episodes Video https://youtu.be/x2OaTgp0G24
Oct 31, 2022•46 min
