Everyone loves a good success story. And Home Franchise Concepts (HFC), parent company to Budget Blinds®, The Tailored Closet® and Concrete Craft®, takes pride in the successes of its independent franchise business owners. Yes, HFC provides the business model and platform for success, but each individual is ultimately in control of how well they do with their business, and all the kudos belong to them!

Budget Blinds serving Southwest Colorado Springs at the 2017 National Convention: Scott Kewley (Owner), Mike Burwell (owner), Dina Burwell, Julian Burwell (installer) and Nik Allison (Office Manager)

When Scott Kewley bought the Budget Blinds serving Southwest Colorado Springs franchise and opened for business in January 2015, his eye was on the prize of making the Million Dollar Club, and he did.

Scott has built a thriving business and highly competent team, including bringing on a co-owner, Mike Burwell. We recently talked with Scott about his journey with Budget Blinds.

Q: What was your work background before discovering Budget Blinds?

First year in business also brought a prestigious design award to the franchise with Mike Burwell’s winning window design in the Budget Blinds 2016 design competition.

“My work background is a mixture of the corporate world and non-profits.  I took an existing non-profit and built it up to 50 employees in five years. When I left the non-profit, I tried the conventional workforce, but it was depressing. I’m a single dad with four kids and was 41 when I bought Budget Blinds.”

Q: How did you learn about Budget Blinds and franchising?

“I discovered Budget Blinds through a franchise broker with FranChoice. The appeal of being my own boss did play into the decision-making process, and as I did more research I discovered that Budget Blinds lined up well with my background.”

Q: Did you feel prepared when you opened the doors of your new business?

“The two weeks of training was as good as it could be for the level of understanding we new franchisees had. We needed to work to get experience to go to the next level. We definitely got the business basics, and then experience came by working the business. I felt prepared to go out there because I had corporate support. I must have called Corporate Support 25 times in the first two weeks with install questions, etc.”

Q: What has been the evolution of your franchise?

Shutters are very popular in Colorado and these woodgrain composite shutters from Enlightened Style™ were the perfect choice to beautifully cover tall, uniquely-shaped windows for a client in Florissant

“Mike was my first hire, actually a co-owner. I wanted more freedom of schedule, so I ‘hired myself again through Mike.’ He is phenomenal. Our second hire was Julian, Mike’s son, as a full-time installer. I would recommend that as soon as you have business enough, hire an installer. It frees you up to sell. You have to have an expansion plan, and we just bought a second territory last October 2016, the Pueblo area. This year I project hiring three new people for sales and installing, and we have plans to open a showroom and warehouse with offices.”

Q: What are the greatest joys of owning your own business?

“I like the whole package. I like the people I work with, we have a great team. I work hard but I get a huge benefit, I can choose my own financial and time-off goals. I like feeling and being successful. I know the business model works, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. I’m thrilled with Budget Blinds. My goal is to make it into the Million Dollar Club every year.”

Buy a franchise and build the business you want

Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) is home to three dynamic home services brands:

• Budget Blinds – custom window coverings, including blinds, shades and drapery styles for indoor/outdoor application, residential and commercial
• The Tailored Closet – custom storage solutions as well as industrial-strength Premier One® garage flooring options for home and business
• Concrete Craft – custom concrete staining, stamping and resurfacing for indoor and outdoor floors and vertical surfaces, including walkways, driveways, decks, patios and fireplaces

If you are looking for a new career challenge, why not consider joining forces with a proven, award-winning franchise business in the burgeoning home services/home improvement industry? Any one of the HFC brands offers a proven business model that includes these benefits:

• Home-based, home services business with low overhead
• Flat royalty and marketing fees so you keep more of what you make
• Control your schedule, work hours, and build your own team
• No experience necessary– training covers all aspects of the business, including installations

Call 1-800-420-5374 today or go online to Home Franchise Concepts and see which brand generates the most excitement for you. If you’re a Veteran, click here to learn about discounts to assist qualified Vets with becoming independent franchise business owners.