HOW TO START IN CURTAIN BUSINESS

Are you an aspiring artist looking to showcase your creations to the world by starting your own curtain and blind business?

Or maybe you’re already a small business owner in soft furnishings, upholstery, or interior design and thinking about adding curtains and blinds to your offerings?

Well, look no further! This guide will help you start your curtain business and achieve success. We’re sharing knowledge from over a decade of experience, so stick around!

✏️ This article will mostly be usefull for local curtain retailers, if you are interested to know more about how to start an online curtain or blind business and sell bespoke curtains online, check this post.

Learn How to Calculate Orders

Understanding how to accurately calculate orders is essential for starting your curtain business. The curtain calculation (quotation) process is more complex than it might appear at first glance, if you would do it manually with the sheet of paper and an ordinary calculator! For someone who hasn't dealt with it before, it can be daunting. It's like knowing how to ride a bicycle—you understand the basics, but building one from scratch is a different story.

To help you get started, here are a few steps you should follow:

1. Understand Your Materials: Familiarise yourself with different types of fabrics, linings, and accessories. Knowing the cost and characteristics of these materials is crucial for accurate quotes.

2. Measure Accurately: Learn how to measure windows correctly. Incorrect measurements can lead to costly mistakes and dissatisfied customers. Use reliable tools, and double-check your work.

3. Use Calculation Tools: Invest in calculation, quotation software like InterioApp or any other tools that can help automate the process. These tools should account for fabric width, pattern repeats, and fullness ratios.

4. Learn from Examples: Look up tutorials or case studies. For instance, our article on a real project in Paris breaks down the pricing and process in detail. Studying real examples will give you a practical understanding of how to approach your calculations.

5. Practice Regularly: Like any skill, practice makes perfect. Start with small projects to build your confidence and gradually take on more complex ones.

6. Get Professional Help: If you're struggling, don't hesitate to seek professional advice or hire someone with experience to help you get started.

By mastering the curtain calculation process, you'll be well-equipped to handle orders efficiently and accurately, setting a solid foundation for your curtain and blind business.

Nose Around - Check Out Your Competition

The curtain business, with its myriad of details and variables, may seem overwhelming at first glance. Indeed, the industry is replete with nuances, from the diversity of fabrics to the precision of measurements and installations. This complexity, however, is not without its rewards. It's these very intricacies that can lead to higher profit margins for those who master them.

Before embarking on your own venture, take the time to explore and analyze existing businesses in your area. Pay attention to what sets each apart, what they excel at, and where there might be gaps in their offerings or services. This reconnaissance is not about imitation but inspiration and differentiation.

What unique value can your curtain business provide? Perhaps it's an unparalleled level of expertise, innovative design solutions, or exceptional customer service that turns a routine consultation into a memorable experience. The aim is to identify a niche or value proposition that resonates with your target market, setting the foundation for a successful and profitable curtain business.

💡Additionally, explore the online market. Since 2021, this window blind and curtain market has been growing rapidly and might be an area where your competitors haven't yet ventured. This could be a remarkable opportunity to capture a significant share of the market. Read more about the SEO strategies and boosting methods of online sales for window blinds and curtains.

The Competitor of Your Competitor is Your Ally

Networking: Your Strategic Advantage in the Curtain and Blind Business

In the world of business, especially when launching a curtain and blind venture, building a strong network is invaluable. Establishing connections with seasoned professionals can provide you with insights and guidance that are hard to find elsewhere. Networking can open doors to opportunities and support that will help your business thrive.

However, it's important to be strategic about where you seek these alliances. Your direct competitors, especially those nearby, are unlikely to share their secrets or offer support. Instead, consider reaching out to curtain and blind businesses in distant cities or different regions. These companies are not direct competitors and may be more open to forming mutually beneficial relationships.

Here are some steps to make your networking efforts more effective:

1. Identify Potential Allies: Look for established businesses in the curtain and blind industry that operate outside your immediate market. These could be companies in other regions or even other countries.

2. Reach Out with Value: When contacting these businesses, offer something of value in return for their insights. This could be sharing market trends, tips on managing orders, or innovative design techniques. Show that you are interested in a two-way exchange of knowledge.

3. Attend Industry Events: Participate in trade shows, conferences, and online forums related to the curtain and blind industry. These events are great places to meet potential allies and learn from industry leaders.

4. Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in the industry. Join groups and engage in discussions to expand your network and gain valuable insights.

5. Collaborate on Projects: Consider collaborating on projects or promotions with your new allies. This could involve joint marketing campaigns, shared resources, or co-hosted events.

By building a strong network and forming strategic alliances, you can gain valuable knowledge, enhance your business practices, and strengthen your position in the curtain and blind industry. Networking not only broadens your knowledge base but also helps you stay ahead of trends and adapt to market changes effectively.

Demand for Quality Supply

You can't start your curtain business without quality fabrics and other raw materials. Finding good fabric suppliers is crucial, as they will provide you with unique and high-quality fabrics that will help you stand out from the competition.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Find Reliable Suppliers: Look for suppliers known for their high-quality products and reliability. A good supplier will ensure you always have the materials you need when you need them.

2. Stand Out with Fancy Fabrics: Choose suppliers who offer a variety of stylish and unique fabrics. Having distinctive materials will set your business apart and attract customers looking for something special.

3. Leverage Supplier Expertise: Suppliers often have a wealth of knowledge about the curtain business. They are usually eager to share tips and tricks because your success directly impacts their success. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice on running your business more effectively. We as InterioApp also consider ourself as supplier to the retailers, because we supply software solutions, and more successful you are, longer you will use our software services. Talk with us, we are more than happy to share our knowledge with you.

4. Build Strong Relationships: Establishing a good relationship with your suppliers can lead to better deals, priority service, and insider knowledge about new products and trends. The fewer suppliers and vendors you work with, the more you can sell their products, allowing you to negotiate for bigger margins. If they don't offer better terms, search for new vendors.

Remember, your suppliers are invested in your success. If you thrive, so do they. Don't be afraid to seek their guidance and use their expertise to your advantage. This collaborative approach can help you build a solid foundation for your curtain business.

Find a Workroom

When starting your curtain business, it's wise to have your curtains tailored by an outsourced company. While having your own tailoring shop has its advantages, outsourcing is often more cost-effective and allows you to leverage professional expertise. However, remember that these outsourcing shops may also serve your competitors. To safeguard your business information, bring your sewing blueprints on a separate sheet from the price calculation sheets. This prevents the unnecessary spread of information about your revenue.

Automate Your Work Process

Automation is key to entering the curtain and window blind industry successfully, and InterioApp is your best solution. With InterioApp, you won't need to learn how to calculate curtains manually. The process is simplified to the point where you only need to enter measurements and fabric prices.

Here's how InterioApp can streamline your operations:

1. Simplified Calculations: Just input the measurements and fabric prices, and the app handles all the calculations for you.

2. Efficient Invoicing: Your customer receives an invoice automatically, saving you time and reducing errors.

3. Tailoring Coordination: Your tailoring department receives a separate blueprint, ensuring precise and efficient production.

4. Stock Management: Your stock control receives updates, helping you maintain optimal inventory levels.

5. Supplier Notifications: If you're running low on supplies, your supplier gets a notification, ensuring you never run out of essential materials.

By automating these processes, you gain a significant advantage over competitors, as 90% of the industry still rely on pen and paper for their calculations. InterioApp not only differentiates you from the competition but also boosts your efficiency and accuracy, setting you up for success in the curtain and window blind industry.

Start Now

If you are interested in seeing our software for window blind and curtain retailers in action, please fill out a form for a demo call, and we will get back to you within 12 hours.

Subscribe now to test the InterioApp Software for 7-days at no cost. To find the most suitable plan, explore our blog post detailing individual plans and setup services. Learn more