Budget Blinds of Grand Rapids

Our story - Part 6 / 6: Today, Budget Blinds of Grand Rapids and Blinds of Holland are owned and operated by siblings Mark Paulson and Lindsey VanDyken.

Their mom, Evonne, is still an active advisor and co-owner of the franchises. Jim’s legacy of generosity, work ethic, and community involvement lives on through the business and the values instilled in his family.

The company employs nearly 20 team members and provides custom window treatment design and installation services to the Holland and Greater Grand Rapids community.

In the last two years, the team has added a formal benefits and vacation program for its employees, implemented several new systems, and completed the acquisition of Budget Blinds Grand Rapids. The business remains rooted in family values while embracing growth and innovation.

Read the full story on the Budget Blinds of Holland and Grand Rapids LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/O4ied

Our story - Part 5 / 6: Jim was diagnosed with cancer in 2019.

He battled furiously, all while maintaining his warm demeanor and strong work ethic. He continued to serve as a key stakeholder in the business and navigate next steps. Jim helped finalize the acquisition of the Grand Rapids location in April 2023, just weeks before he passed.

“Jim was a dreamer,” Evonne said. “I think he probably envisioned it [the company] getting really big and when Grand Rapids came available, I think the dream became reality.”

Always down for a good conversation, Jim made every effort to truly know others. He was a giver – of his time, talent, and blessings. Jim believed in working hard and paying forward the benefits of that labor. His approach to work, life, and people meshed together effortlessly and made a lasting impression on those who knew him.

“I learned a lot about my grandpa and Mark through this company and seeing them build it from the ground up. It taught me to work hard even though results aren’t there from the beginning,” said Grant Hofland, grandson of Jim and Evonne, who is now an Installer on the team.

“Now that my grandpa has passed it [Budget Blinds] is a place I feel connected to him and I appreciate it a lot.”

Read the full story on the Budget Blinds of Holland and Grand Rapids LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/O4ied

Our story - Part 4 / 6:

For nearly 20 years Jim, Evonne, and Mark ran Budget Blinds of Holland as a family unit. Jim and Evonne's leap of faith into the world of entrepreneurship, supported by Mark's business and technology expertise, laid the foundation for the company's success. Their dedication to quality and customer service attracted a loyal customer base, leading to growth and expansion.

In 2022, Lindsey joined the family business after a 20+ year career at Herman Miller. Jim was stepping back to truly retire and there was a need for someone to help take it to the next level. Around this same time, the opportunity to acquire Budget Blinds of Grand Rapids was on the table.

“We would often visit the topic of me joining [the business] but it never felt like the right time,” Lindsey said, who remained actively involved in supporting the family business up until she was officially hired. “This time, it was the right time.”

This turned out to be a time of major change for both the business and the family.

Read the full story on the Budget Blinds of Holland and Grand Rapids LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/O4ied

Our story - Part 3 / 6

A couple years after Jim and Evonne started the business in 2004, their son Mark joined the team – working from the basement of his childhood home with his parents. Mark brought a business, technology, and marketing background that helped the family scale the business.

“It was exciting to join the company and help my parents with system improvements to drive efficiency and organization. I started learning everything about the business,” said Mark.

As their customer base grew, the basement footprint shrunk. They started looking for space where they could spread out and continue to grow. When the space off Lakewood became available (where Budget Blinds of Holland is still located today), it was a no-brainer for the team.

Once in their new space, business took off. The employee-base nearly tripled. More family members and friends got involved, some with industry experience, some without.

“We contacted builders and handed out flyers to find clients. My grandson, Grant, would help me with the flyers. He’d say, ‘Drive by slowly, Grandma, I think I could just shoot it out!’ We had a lot of fun,” said Evonne. “From the beginning our family has really helped.”

Read the full story on our LinkedIn (Budget Blinds of Holland and Grand Rapids): https://shorturl.at/O4ied

Our story - Part 2 / 6:

Neither Jim nor Evonne had run a business before. Everything was new for them, from learning to install window treatments to marketing their products. They started Budget Blinds of Holland together – with their existing skills – and a whole lot of faith.

“It was one of those things where it just felt right, so we knew it would be OK. We didn’t give a lot of thought to how hard it might be, but it was hard,” said Evonne.

Their basement was quickly filled with boxes of supplies, promotional flyers, and installation tools. They made cold calls to other local businesses and learned the basics of entrepreneurship.

Why the basement? At the time, the Budget Blinds franchises suggested the ‘do-it-all-at-home’ concept to owners.

“The idea was to keep your overhead low and focus on your customers,” said Evonne.

Read the full story on our LinkedIn (Budget Blinds of Holland and Grand Rapids): https://shorturl.at/O4ied

Our Story - Part 1 / 6:

It all started in a basement. No, we’re not talking about a first kiss or newfound gaming streamer fame. Our Budget Blinds business grew its roots right in the Holland community – in the lower level of owners and siblings Mark Paulson and Lindsey VanDyken’s parents' home.

How did this all begin? Lindsey was the first to discover the Budget Blinds franchise concept while working as a talent recruiter. While on a call with a potential candidate who had experience with the franchise, all she could think about was how perfect Budget Blinds could be for her parents.

Dad Jim Paulson, a Mr. Fixit of all things, was contemplating retirement and eager to find his next career move before ‘officially’ retiring. Mom Evonne was a talented seamstress, an ideal skill set for unique curtains and other fabric window treatments. Between the two of them they had a good foundation of community connections for potential clients.

After talking with Lindsey, the couple made a quick decision to hop on a plane to California and learn more about Budget Blinds. One weekend later, their mind was made up. Together, they’d start this business from the ground up – literally.

Read the full story on our LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/O4ied

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1. Safer for kids and pets - no dangling cords!
2. Open and shut with the touch of a button (or voice command).
3. Lowers energy cost by adapting to the natural light cadence.

Want to learn more about our Smart Home Collection? Contact us today!

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Shades offer a sleek seamless solution for easy raising and lowering, while blinds bring a timeless charm with adjustable slats for light and privacy control.

We're here to guide you through the options to find the perfect fit!

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Today we celebrate our moms and mother figures who have shaped us into who we are today. Thank you to all moms in the Budget Blinds community for your enduring love and support!

Our team recently completed an installation at a church in Holland. Check out some of the stunning photos from that sunny day.

Same great team. Two West Michigan locations. We're celebrating one year since bringing our Holland and Grand Rapids teams together. Whether you live along the lakeshore or in the GR area, we can help serve you! Follow along here as we share stories celebrating our 20 years in business, our top-notch team, and our ongoing community impact as we continue to grow.

It's National Small Business Week. Why shop small for window treatments? Entering a warehouse or store filled with endless textures, colors, and sizes can be overwhelming. Our design experts will be with you every step of the way to help you make the right decision for your home. From there, our install team provides full-service installation so you can rest assured the final product will fit perfectly in your space.

Why Choosing a Local Custom Window Treatments Expert Makes a Difference Discover the difference local expertise makes in choosing custom window treatments. Budget Blinds combines expert, personalized service and 30+ years of experience to transform your space.

✨Shutters✨
The product that offers privacy and light control with a perfect fit.

Looking to make more eco-conscious decisions in your home this Earth Day? We offer several eco-friendly window treatments that preserve our natural resources. The woven natural shades from our Inspired Shades™ Collection are made from h**p, kenaf and flax, are 100% organic and environmentally-friendly, and completely recyclable.

Eco Friendly Window Treatments | Budget Blinds Budget Blinds has you covered with custom, environmentally friendly window covering solutions like blinds and shades.

Getting a nasty computer glare or sick of your office views...? Budget Blinds is the answer and we offer FREE in home consultations. Give us a call to set up a time for us to come find the right shade for you!

616-803-5653

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A. Dual Sheer Shades
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