spark360 Behind The Scenes: WeBuildBlinds

Some fun facts to know and tell about those slatted things on many of our windows that we take for granted until they jam or break:

Horizontal blinds on windows first started rolling in ancient times, with the Egyptians using reeds to block out the North African sun and the Chinese relying on bamboo stalks. The term “venetian blind” is said to have originated with – who else – Venetian traders, who used it to describe what they had brought back from their recent travels to Persia. (The genesis of the equally-ancient joke, “How do you make a Venetian blind? Poke your fingers in his eyes,” still manages to elude anthropologists, however, although the infamous Greek philosopher Hennius Youngman remains a prime suspect).

Those origins help explain why window blinds made their way throughout Europe and Asia before crossing the Atlantic and ending up in American homes. And although the modern era brought us manufactured vinyl, many consumers gravitated toward wood blinds because of their insulative qualities. But wood blinds can start to warp in areas with high humidity, so faux wood blinds quickly became a popular choice.

Still, it was quite a shock for me to learn from WeBuildBlinds’ vice president of sales Roy Ingram that his company’s research shows that most people shopping for blinds are only really looking for one particular style in one of two colors. That explains WeBuildBlinds’ decision to focus on 2-inch and 3.5-inch faux wood and vertical blinds and those color choices (both variations of basic white); give the consumer what they’re looking for 80-90 percent of the time, cut down on your own overhead costs and pass those savings along to your customers. It also gives you a chance to reinvest in things that can make customers equally happy, such as a rapid order fulfillment policy and an employee benefits plan that keeps workers motivated in the best possible way. It’s exactly the kind of entrepreneurial business plan we like to shine a little outside light of our own on at spark360.

There’s a very good reason why a lot of companies are focusing on window coverings/window blinds these days - they’re popular, easy to operate, can coordinate well with interior design and help regulate light and heat in an economical fashion.  
It takes a lot to stand out in that crowded marketplace, with companies like WeBuildBlinds hoping they’ll be uppermost on your mind when a window blind near you jams or breaks.

- Renay San Miguel