Budget Blinds Franchisee Leverages His Veteran Status To Give Back To His Community

After 26 years of service in the U.S. Army and National Guard, Eric Stanton, along with his wife Michelle, made the decision to franchise with leading custom window covering brand, Budget Blinds, to serve their community of Hudson, Ohio. Budget Blinds, part of the home service franchise conglomerate Home Franchise Concepts (HFC), services over 1,150 territories across North America, installing more than 50,000 window treatments per week in both the residential and commercial space.

Stanton served multiple tours of duty during his time in the military and spent time in 33 countries across the globe, both in combat and on peace missions. After spending two years rehabilitating from an injury with Wounded Warriors, Stanton retired from the military. He initially began to look into franchising during his time overseas in the military, and he was inspired to seek out an opportunity with Budget Blinds after meeting a fellow veteran who owned his own territory with the brand.

“I happened to meet a fellow veteran who owned a Budget Blinds franchise,” said Stanton. “We spoke for three years about opportunities with the brand and eventually I went on a few appointments with him and it seemed like a great fit. Budget Blinds gives me the opportunity to market more options for my customers compared to other franchises in the homes services industry.”

Since signing on with Budget Blinds, Stanton serves his Hudson community and makes a special effort to thank customers who deserve recognition. His office offers discounts to veterans, first responders, healthcare workers and teachers as well as single parents and widows. Stanton says it’s an honor to be able to give back when he can.

“In addition to offering all of these discounts, during specific times of the year we donate a percentage of each sale to local charities and foundations,” Stanton said. “Additionally, our franchise is honored to work with the local churches in our area doing work for cost and sometimes even for free. We do what we can do to give back.”

But Stanton isn’t the only Budget Blinds franchisee who’s giving back. Since 2014, the brand as a whole has been in partnership with Spring Window Fashions as the official window-covering supplier for Homes for Our Troops, a top-rated, privately funded non-profit organization whose mission is to build and donate specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans nationwide.

As for his future plans with the business, Stanton and his wife plan to build their customer base over the next 10 years, reaching new members of the community through their efforts in their church and charities, and eventually hope to open another territory.

“The future is promising,” said Stanton. “I’m about to hire two to three more employees and acquire an additional territory as we continue to grow.”

For fellow veterans and prospective franchisees, it’s important to note HFC is a proud supporter of the U.S. military service members. Its entire franchise system, including Budget Blinds’ sister brands Concrete Craft®, Tailored Living® and AdvantaClean®, and offers up to $15,000 in discounts to active military and honorably discharged veterans who sign on with a franchise brand.