Ask the Expert:

What are the Best Window Treatment Franchises for Me?

MODERATED BY JOHN WALSH

Q: Do I need to have experience as a professional decorator in order to be successful as a window treatment franchisee?
A: Not at all! V2K Windows, Exciting Windows! and Décor & You all offer excellent training and support programs that teach you what you need to know.

Q: What does it take to succeed in the window treatment business?
A: You must have a passion for decorating--though you don't need a degree in design. You also should be highly motivated and have excellent time management and organizational skills. Last, to succeed in this industry, you must love working with people.

Q: I love to decorate, but I don't know anything about advertising. Will I get help marketing my business?
A: Absolutely! All three of our featured window treatment franchises excel in providing marketing support. Décor & You, for example, provides a systematic Sales & Marketing plan to help you grow your business.

Q: How much do I have to invest to get started?
A: Franchise fees vary, but to get started in your own window treatment franchise, you need to be prepared to invest roughly between $42K and $66K.

Q: How much can I make in the window treatment business?
A: Window treatments represent a $9 billion industry and Americans spend over $100 billion annually on home furnishings and decorations. How much of this growing décor outlay you tap into is entirely up to you and your drive to succeed. Each franchise will provide you with your own territory to help you get started. For example, V2K Windows provides a territory of about 30,000 qualified households with your franchise fee.

Q: What about service?
A: Service is crucial to a successful decorating franchise, and each of our featured franchise operations provides excellent customer service training and support to franchisees. Exciting Windows!, for instance, maintains 21 points of peerless customer service standards that help you provide a guarantee of satisfaction to your customers.

Q: What about technical support? What if I need assistance with a customer?
A: Our featured franchises all provide excellent technical support to franchisees. After all, franchises only succeed if franchisees succeed. V2K Windows will even come to your home to help shorten the customer support learning curve.

Q: What about product knowledge? I don't know anything about textiles!
A: You don't have to be a product expert to be a successful window treatment specialist. These franchises will teach you what you need to know--from material types to soft treatments like draperies or hard treatments like blinds. You will soon become a window treatment expert!