Today we’d like to introduce you to Andres Polanco.
Andres, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Everything started back in 2009 when I moved to Miami from Cali, Colombia. Back then, I was studying Industrial design and came to Miami looking for an opportunity. At the beginning it was not easy. I wasn’t able to find anything related to my background studies and started to work in hospitality. From 2009 to 2015, I worked in restaurants waiting tables and crafting cocktails until I met my wife working in one of these restaurants. On new years eve 2015, we made our resolution to be having our own business. we both had what I take to start off a company. This was my last year on FIU to finish my bachelor’s degree on business administration and on her side, its previous experience working for a well known General contractor; plus interior design school gave us the right tools to open Ultimate Shades and blinds, a custom window treatment company that has been growing steadly since we open.
On 2015 we started working with a local wholesale manufacture company and two literally two sample books. Today we build and motorize most of our products and open and office in Brickell avenue. Besides that, we can proudly say that we are Authorized dealers of the most reputable window covering and smart home systems brands such as Hunter Douglas, Crestron, Control 4, Bandalux, Coulisse and Somfy just to mention some of them. As part of our process we try attend every year the International window covering expo as part of our networking activities, meeting really important people on the industry and, of course learning about the new interior design fashion trends and the most recent automation technology. Today we are proud to say that even though we are small family business, the hard work is paying off and more and more people is learning about brand “ultimate shades and blinds” in a good way trusting their projects to our team.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been easy. It is a very competitive market and the learning process is endless. I think the most difficult thing is to find and consolidate a good team to work with. After all we sale shades and blinds, but the core of the business is customer service. Another struggle was depending on someone else to manufacture for you. This is extremely hard because you can’t do anything on rushing or expediting any order when you need it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Our business is a custom-made window covering. We sale the whole line of products; roller shades, drapery, plantation shutters, blinds, wallpaper and home automation. We specialize on high-end window treatments for homes or commercial projects with smart control. We are really well know for the way we handle things. From the first contact, which is the project consultation until installation day, we make the process as seamless as possible by communicating and anticipating any issues that might arise. I think besides providing white-glove installation services and treating the installations as professional as possible, we strive to deliver what many companies in Miami don’t know much about it “punctuality.”
What were you like growing up?
I was born and raised in Cali Colombia. I spent a lot of time with my parents, especially my dad. I was very into outdoor activities and also had a room full of toys that were almost on pieces. I was very curious to know how everything Was built inside. Always surrounded by friends from the block and playing soccer all the time.
Pricing:
- Service call $ 150
- Somfy battery motors from $305
Contact Info:
- Address: 848 Brickell AV Ph 5, Miami, FL 33131
- Website: www.ultimateshadesandblinds.com
- Phone: 3058336485
- Email: ultimateshadesandblinds@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultimate_shades_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultimateshades305/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ultimate-shades-and-blinds-miami-2
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/window-treatments/ultimate-shades-and-blinds-pfvwus-pf~1865967608
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