FOR STARTERS Franchisee: Jeffrey Kulas Budget Blinds of Cranston | Cranston Pitch: Budget Blinds designs and installs blinds, shades, shutters and drapery for inside a person’s home.
Years in business: Two Number of employees: One Cost to obtaining franchise: $89,950 initial fee; $125,340 minimum investment
Before opening franchise: Kulas worked in the banking industry for more than 20 years. Reason for opening franchise: After two decades working in corporate within the banking sector, Kulas got to a point where he wanted “to look elsewhere and do other things.”
“It was time to see what else is out there. I did a little bit of discovery on what other jobs I could get into to change things up. I came across franchises and looked into it a bit. Those connections led me to Budget Blinds.” “We played it by ear a little bit [with the pandemic and safety protocols] and I said, ‘I’ll come out and put your CHANGE OF PACE: Jeffrey Kulas, franchise owner of Budget Blinds of Cranston, with his wife, Kelly, and his daughter, Danni, 5. Kulas worked in the banking industry for 20 years before opening his shades in. Let’s not be in the same room at the same Budget Blinds franchise two years ago because he wanted “to look elsewhere and do other things.” time.’ That was the confidence builder [for customers]. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO We could also handle 6 feet apart in sales consultations as well. I’m with one, maybe two people in a Franchise owners interested in being included “I think a lot of people were not spending house in any given time. It felt safer as we went in an upcoming Franchisee feature can contact money on those vacations and they said, PBN Researcher James Bessette at on. People appreciated the professionalism.” ‘Let’s put it toward the house instead.’ ” (401) 680-4838 or Research@PBN.com.
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www.pbn.com | PROVIDENCE BUSINESS NEWS | JULY 23-AUGUST 5, 2021 | 3
