WINDOW blinds have been on the market before they became a hit. Once they were so expensive that only the rich could afford them.
But with the arrival of Blinds Master-Davao, which specializes in window blinds and accordion folding doors, window blinds have become more affordable, classy, and artistic.
Glendell Tucona-De Belen, a former OFW, narrated that what she really wanted after returning home was to sell ukay-ukay (secondhand apparel). But God has other plans for her and her husband Ricky.
Glendell and her husband were living in Bulacan during the early years of their marriage. During their stay in Luzon, her husband's friend introduced them to window blinds. But since both of them had no interest in pursuing this business, they did not push it through but did not ignore the contacts given to them either.
When the pandemic struck, the couple was gravely affected that Glendell thought of bringing her family back to her hometown in Davao Oriental and to try another venture.
So Glendell asked her mother to send them money for airfare since all their savings were already used up.
When they arrived in Davao Oriental without money and without a livelihood, Glendell remembered their friend from Bulacan who introduced them to window blinds. She persuaded her husband to venture into window blind installations in Davao City since she perceived it to be a not-so-overcrowded industry.
"Nagsugod gyud mi sa wala nga kanang among sakyanan padulong sa among clients, ma-office man o residential, kay traysikel (We started from scratch where our transportation going to our clients, whether an office or a residential, was a tricycle)," Glendell recalls.
"Naa pa'y time nga taga-exclusive subdivision among client unya pagsulod nimo sa gate sa compound layo pa kaayo ang balay sa imong client unya wala gyu'y maskin traysikad man lang so nagbaktas gyud mi with all our paraphernalia for installation ug ang mga blinds. Dili gud mahitsura among dagway, ang singot paska nang agas bisan asa. (There was also a time when our client lives in an exclusive subdivision where the main gate of the subvision was still very far from their house and no other means of transportation inside the compound, so we had to walk bringing with us the paraphernalia for installation and also the window blinds. We were so messy, all our sweat was pouring out from every part of our body)," Glendell narrated.
Because of the couple's perseverance and their mantra not to make too much profit out of their business, the Blinds Master-Davao became a sought-after blinds installer.
"Ako pud ning gi-estudyohan og maayo ma'am, kanang different types of blinds and color combination, nagsugod ko sa youtube, nagatan-aw-tan-aw ko'g tutorial, then, of course, akong gina-apply akong natun-an pud personally (I studied about this thoroughly, ma'am. The different types of blinds and color combinations... I started on youtube, I watched tutorials, then, of course, I also applied what I have learned personally)," Glendell said.
She said aside from the competitive rates they offer, one of the factors why their clients refer them to their friends is because they suggest what materials or colors suit best to their interiors.
Words of mouth from their previous clients made Blinds Master-Davao become what it is now, but Glendell and her husband Ricky never failed to mention how God really helped put them where they do best.
"Na-amaze gyud ko sa Ginoo kay kabalo gyud Siya asa ta mu-grow, asa ta mulambo. Kay ako sauna wala gyud koy laing gihuna-huna but to sell ukay-ukay. That was my biggest dream, only to realize that God has something greater and better for us (I am amazed by God because He really knows where we will grow, where we will develop. Because before I was adamant on putting up an ukay-ukay business because it was my biggest dream, only to realize that God has something greater and better for us)," Glendell added.
Now, Blinds Master-Davao is already PhilGEPS-accredited, meaning aside from private clients who want to install blinds for their residences and private offices, it can now install window blinds and folding doors for government and government-owned corporations' offices.
For more information about window blinds and folding doors, visit their Facebook page: Blinds Master-Davao or their physical office at Mitre Building, Corner Bolton, San Pedro Street, Davao City, Philippines.