Own an Industry-Leading Business.
Blinds-Spot Interior Window Coverings was established in 1998, and is expanding year on year as the industry continues to grow steadily in spite of changing economic conditions. On average, homeowners replace window coverings once every 4-7 years.
The Blinds-Spot solution makes it quick, easy and convenient for customers to obtain quality, Pro-Luva  name branded window coverings at the most competitive price.
The unsurpassed leader in blinds, this successful company is established in one of the fastest growing industries in the South African home
decorating and home improvement industry. The window covering industry is an exceptionally lucrative multi-billion rand industry!
Window coverings are customized for customers, so agents maintain little to no product inventory while running their home business.
Blinds-Spot has the ability to meet specific customer demands for quality products at very affordable prices, keeping the company competitively established in the industry.
Its alliances with leading brand-name manufacturers, combined with a unique shop-at-home service, make Blinds-Spot Interior Window Coverings a satisfying solution for customers as well as an excellent agent business opportunity for those select few.
If you’ve ever thought of going into business for yourself, Blinds-Spot has a proven way to pursue your dream.
For a relatively small investment, you can become part of a solid business program that offers training and support to help your business thrive.
The key to success for a business that is not a retail storefront is making a solid investment in people. Since its humble beginnings in 1998,
Blinds-Spot has recognized this fact and designed the business around it. Blinds-Spot are committed to running a strong agent system that consistently treats its people as its strongest asset.

This is where Blinds-Spot excels.
Blinds-Spots’ long-standing relationships with top brand name window covering manufacturers enables it to develop Vendor Alliance programs with incredible product selection and pricing. Our low cost business opportunity enables you the greatest flexibility: not only do we offer an affordable business concept; but you can operate as a work-from-home business. We offer you complete, proven, well-known products, and you'll learn to start your business correctly - with your customers in mind. You'll learn to hone your customer service skills.

Have you ever dreamed about:
· The joys of becoming a self employed business owner?
· The challenges and rewards of working directly with the public and maintaining a client portfolio with continued referrals?
· Freedom and flexibility, with no clock to punch and no boss to control your life?
· The financial incentive to work in the creative, home decorating industry, one of the fastest growing economic sectors in South Africa?
· The assurity and power of being part of a countrywide agent group with a supported brand?
· The chance to create a legacy?

Exceptional Company Support.
Our support of our agents is second to none. From lead generation marketing tools to training and ongoing on-line support,
we keep agents knowledgeable and competitive from start-up and beyond.

Build your own profitable business.
Blinds-Spot is offering you a successful home based business opportunity in selling and installing internal window coverings
offering you the opportunity to supply the end-user with custom-made blinds at reasonable but competitive prices with great service.
Blinds-Spot knows the industry, and this knowledge will help our agents avoid the trial-and-error pitfalls that typically contribute
to the failure of many small businesses. We know what it takes to build a successful home improvement window covering business,
and we'll work with you to give you the tools and the knowledge you'll need for success, including these important areas:

Agent packs includes:
Beautiful sample books and working samples / Our Top-Secret Blinds-Spot Training manual and pricing book / Advertising/promotional marketing materials
Our training manual and on-going support will provide you with all the information you require to help you successfully start your business,
confidently give advice and successfully close sales and install various blinds.
Contact us today for more information on your opportunity to become one of our successful agents.

10 important features that make Blinds-Spot Interior Window Coverings different from any other opportunity:

1.    Easy start-up and low capital investment
2.    Minimal investment fee
3.    Quality - in demand branded products
4.    Huge buying power for maximum discounted rates
5.    No further royalties or franchise fees
6.    Territorial restrictions
7.    Free, training information included
8.    Ongoing free online-support (website)
9.    Opportunities to work from home
10.  Free ongoing email support

20 Frequently asked questions:

Q1: What is Pro-Luva?
A: Pro-Luva branded products incorporate all state-of-the-art window covering products from our reputable long-standing suppliers.
This is branded as your mark and guarantee of only the best quality products at consistently competitive pricing.

Q2: How do I become a Blinds-Spot agent?
A: As a first step, contact us on +27.021.552-8234 or email: manuel@blinds-spot.co.za for an agent application.

Q3: Are there any ongoing royalty fees?
A: No, as unlike a franchise network, you control your own marketing and setup your own marketing strategies to reach your specific target market.
You can then decide on how much to invest towards your marketing, keeping in mind that advertising is an investment not an expense. We will however draw awareness on our website for example, at no extra charge to our agents.

Q4: Whose name do I use?
A: As an official Blinds-Spot agent and as this is not a franchise means you would develop your own business name and logo for trading.

Q5: Can I use the Blinds-Spot logo and Pro-Luva branded mark?
A: Yes. By way of advancing association with our company product and supported branding. Using our logo as set on our sample files, swatches and brochures make it easier to sell blinds, because your customers could potentially have more trust and confidence in you and your business.
Shop-at-home customers are looking for a sense of security, and associating your business with us as our agent can help you overcome
the hurdle of credibility.

Q6: How do I know my prices will be competitive?
A: Everything we do at Blinds-Spot Interior Window Coverings are designed to make you more competitive and professional than anyone else
in your area. Since we all know that a huge window coverings market exists, our goal is to get as much of that business as possible,
making you even more competitive through increased buying power, do not however base your business on trying to be the cheapest.
Refer to “question 15” for further details regarding pricing.

Q7: How does installation work?
A: If you follow our simple guidelines, you should be able to install 10 to 12 blinds per hour. Installation is fast and simple and practice will make perfect.
Alternatively, you can sub-contract your installations by finding a suitable independent installation service available in certain areas
who charge per unit mounted.

Q8: Who measures the customers’ windows?
A: You do. The customer has two main fears...measuring and installation. With your knowledge you will remove these fears, provides a comfort level to your customer that will enhance value and potentially bring you more referral business at a later stage.
And don’t worry...once you know how to measure and install, you’ll be surprised how simple and easy these operations are.

Q9: What will I learn from Blinds-Spot?
A: Pricing procedures, product knowledge, measuring technique, approach to installations, presentation, in-home sales and much more.

Q10: Do I need a retail store?
A: No. We are offering a shop-at-home service that brings the store to the customer; a retail location is not required or of any advantage.
Customers readily agree that there is no better place to choose window coverings than right in their home, next to their particular window areas.

Q11: Can I use my personal vehicle?
A: Yes. You’ll receive a number of samples, so a light delivery vehicle can be an ideal choice as your window covering business vehicle.
Most blinds can fit into a standard vehicle, especially if you lower your seats; alternatively a roof rack with secure harnesses for very big blinds
is a worthwhile investment. However a light delivery vehicle “bakkie” with a canopy would be of greater advantage.

Q12: How does the customer pay for their window coverings?
A: Most customers will pay you with their chequebook, by cash or a bank/internet transfer is increasingly becoming popular.
In any event, standard procedure is for the customer to pay a 50% deposit upon ordering, and the full balance when you complete
the installation of their new window coverings. Once you establish your new business, open an account to receive those customer payments.
Strictly control the monies owing to you by customers; as if this is not monitored or controlled it can affect your cash-flow and add further complications.

Q13: How am I to protect my business investment regarding the area in which I trade?
A: We will be setting up our agents from all sides of South Africa, and will have no 2 applicants within a designated area.
As we are currently only accepting 30 agents to cover South Africa, we will not appoint 2 agents within a specified area, as this will be
unfair to you and your business. This is definitely not our intention, and we would like to do what we can to make sure you get off on the right foot.

Q14: I am based in Upington, for this reason I would require a courier service to deliver the blinds, do I setup my own courier account or is this controlled by Blinds-Spot?
A: We carry costs to the main centres in South Africa, where the agent might have to pay for delivery outside 40-50km from that depot or to collect at the depot. Example; if you are in Johannesburg you are covered in courier cost to that depot, or within 40-50km outside Johannesburg depot, you would only cover the cost 40-50km outside Johannesburg area to your destination. Costs would depend on weight and/or volume.
“Please enquire with us as to whether your area would be covered for courier charges”. Orders have an expected delivery of 48–72 hours pending where you are based, the lead-time for manufacturing is 5 to 7 working days industry standard from order.

Q15: Are prices competitive with the industry and what is my expected profit margin?
A: Yes, prices are quite competitive, but one must remember that price is as important as the customer base you have and their demographic positioning. Your marketing target for example; are they A and B income earning customers, is your area based close to commercial industry or is it mostly residential, in a urban area with lots of other competitors, or in a rural area with no-one else trading in the area? These are just some of the important factors that will influence you setting up your business (price competitiveness and profit margins).
Please note, Blinds-Spot is not in the business of establishing agents with the cheapest products in town, like any other supplier, our product pricing is based on the quality of the products, the products and ranges available, the after sales service provided to you for customers peace of mind and the effectiveness to continually establish the brand as a superior product.
Example; if you were to invest a million or 2 into a franchise branch of ‘Nandos’ you are certainly not investing in the ability to sell the cheapest burger in town, you are however selling a branded product, a quality burger at a price to match, and if a customer puts his money where his mouth is, he will suffice to say, taste the difference, not only in the food but the overall experience.
How many times have we made a cheap purchase where the overall experience or product is not up to scratch? Making the customer aware that yes this may not be the cheapest quote they will get (in a competitive environment there is always someone cheaper), but they can either spend their hard-earned money on the cheapest product or invest their money in a quality long-lasting product with solid backing by us, your supplier and yourself. Remember if you make money based on pricing that is reasonable but not at a give-away price, this will assist in your growth and in turn put you in a better position to provide an all round professional image, example growth assists in making sure you have improved tools for the job, growth in advertising and marketing, printed stationary and vehicle signage, etc, etc....
Agent profit margins are industry acceptable at about 30% which will provide a competitive price, realise you can’t always be the cheapest, in fact never attempt to project your business as “the cheapest guy in town who will beat any quote”, this is a recipe for disaster. However if you are an interior decorator or are serving high income clients within a small supply base you can definitely increase your margins.
If you quote on book price with a well planned marketing plan, you can make your money back within the first month or 2, in order to reach this target believe it or not, you will need to work really hard. Blinds-Spots first advertising back in the day were leaflets handed out door to door at new houses. Every successful business has its humble roots so it is imperative to realise at the forefront that what you put in, is what you are going to get out, far too often those who invest in businesses and franchise opportunities are under the impression that their investment will mysteriously make their phone ring and customers will just pour in. What you sow you will reap and you would need to work hard to establish a business that can then work for you.
There are challenges and risks involved in any new business venture, but with hard work there are great rewards. Unfortunately we are in a society where especially with the younger generations there is the expectation of immediate success with bundles of money and very little input, and when this does not materialise there must be someone or something to blame.
You decide whether you are going to be a success at selling and installing window coverings, not the price and not your competitors.
If you go in with the right approach and a positive mindset, your success will be inevitable.
Keep in mind it is not what you physically get for R8500.00, more importantly it is what sort of possibilities can now be achieved by your investment.
The reality is you are not investing in us as much as you are investing in yourself, possibly for your family but definitely for your own financial future.

Q16: Does my business need to be registered and do I need to register for VAT to be an agent?
A: No, if you are starting out your business it is not required by law to register especially as a sole proprietor. However there are advantages and disadvantages of registering. As you have individual requirements it is best to enquire with an accountant or SARS to make an informed decision.

Q17: What would be the function of an agent in successfully running day-to-day business?
A: Through marketing your business, your daily schedule should consist of appointments to see customers in their homes and businesses, listen to your customers requirements regarding their window covering needs, giving advice, presenting options, displaying your samples and made-up blinds.
Once a final decisions is made regarding the product, the customer chooses a colour and other requirements like the control side etc, you would then measure the window areas requiring blinds and quote the customer accordingly. When the customer signs your quote, or faxes/emails you confirmation that they would like to order, you would then complete our order sheet with your customers blinds order requirements and fax or email the order to us. Once we receive the order we will process your order and it will then enter the manufacturing phase. From order to delivery would be roughly 7 to 10 working days (this is a common industry standard lead-time), where orders are urgent the process could have a slightly shorter turn-around.
We will give you confirmation of your order completion and your payment will be forwarded to our account. Your completed order will be boxed and couriered to you or your nearest centre. When you receive your order you will make contact with your customer and arrange a time to do installation.
15 Minutes per blind should be sufficient at first. Once you have successfully installed their blinds order to their satisfactory requirements, the customer will make payment as you require, cash, cheque or transfer. If you had asked the customer to put down a deposit on order, they will forward you the balance of the money owing. These processes together with good service, a neat installation, great before and after sales service, (following all training procedures taught in our manuals), will successfully take your business forward to the point of success. As long as there are houses and buildings, there will always be windows of opportunity to profit your way to success without limits. You are the only challenge to overcome on the road to your success.

Q18: Why should I become an agent of Blinds-Spot, there are opportunities to be an agent costing much less and they are logistically much closer based to where I am?
A: To give an example, within the food industry you can either spend a million opening a Nandos restaurant or spend a hundred thousand or less on sourcing suppliers and creating a fast-food business from scratch, this is an attempt to reinvent the wheel. The difference is Nandos has a proven winning formula, successful marketing and industry experience, purchasing power and a strong brand, topping this off with continual support.

With Blinds-Spot; for your investment we are offering you the following package for success:

• An integrated package of the best sourced products supplied as made-up samples together with extensive sample files, also soon to be introduced new products that as of yet have not been launched on the South African market.
• Our variety of products within the agent sample pack cannot be matched by others in the industry.
• A proven and in-depth training manual covering sales to installations, product knowledge, customer service and managing your business, we have many industry tips, techniques and lessons that you will literally save thousands on avoiding errors on these purpose made products.
• On-going website support, email and printed catalogues to support your marketing.
• All products are generally supplied inclusive of courier delivery at an industry standard turn-around time.
• We are there to make sure you drive your business forward on a path of growth and success. You can either decide to spend less which could be costly later or invest a little extra in working closely with a successful business, making the path of success a less stressful experience.
• As a Blinds-Spot agent you will benefit from a unified brand name and a countrywide network consistency in consumer branding.
• Strong growth of our Brand will enhance future agent marketing campaigns targeting further support to our agents nationally.

!

Don’t forget that whichever path you take, the road to success will only come with very hard work, we just assist in getting you there on a smoother road that we have already travelled.

Q19: I have more questions and there are 1 or 2 things I am not sure of and I don’t understand certain points made in this document?
A: We are available and at your service to answer any question/s you may have and to clarify any information contained herein. Don’t make the mistake of drawing your own conclusions; give us a ring so as to make an informed decision.

Q20: I am very interested, when can I start and what do I do to get the ball rolling?
A: Complete the attached agent application or if you don’t have one please request a copy to be faxed or emailed to you, in turn an application can be downloaded on the webpage agent facility, (if you are presently reading this on-line, refer to the top of this page for downloading).

Please contact us for any other questions and together we can take the next step towards securing your financial future.

Contact us today for more information on how you can setup your successful business.
Call Manuel on +27 021.5528234 / 082.9267949
Or email: manuel@blinds-spot.co.za