With a background in mechanical engineering at the University of Missouri, Chris Patterson held executive management positions in a variety of manufacturing industries while traveling the country before returning to the Midwest from West Palm Beach, Florida.
“Having grown up in the Midwest, we felt more comfortable here with genuinely friendly people,” said Patterson, originally from St. Louis, Missouri.
After many years serving in the Army Reserve, managing manufacturing facilities, and earning a Master of Business Administration degree in operations in the process, Patterson wanted to move his career in a different direction. He had done everything else, so why not buy his own business?
Acquiring the Budget Blinds franchise in Muncie – the first one in Indiana – didn’t seem that far-fetched for Patterson and his wife, Beth. After all, they had both dabbled in window coverings. As a teenager he fixed his mother’s roller shades and draperies that he had damaged, and Beth’s sewing skills allowed her to operate a successful drapery business from home while their four children were in school.
Using their life savings, Pattersons assumed ownership of Budget Blinds from the franchise founders, Jeff and Polli Whittern, in November 2021. They’ve continued building the brand in the local area ever since.
They offer a wide variety of colors, sizes, controls and fabrics in many products, including draperies, soft valances, composite and wood shutters, roller shades, honeycomb shades, roman shades and more. “Most of our window treatments can be motorized and connected to home automation,” Patterson said.
Through the Budget Blinds franchise, they have the buying power to offer warranties and a wide range of manufacturers. “We use many top vendors to assure the best prices, choices and quality, to deliver style and service for every budget,” Patterson said. “We are a locally owned and operated business, and unlike big-box stores that offer limited options and leave you to figure it out on your own, we give you personalized attention.”
They have specialized knowledge, patiently explain options, and help you make your choices for your unique situation. “We bring the showroom to the customer with our free, no-obligation in-home consultation,” Patterson said.
They offer one-year free labor after the sales, and a limited lifetime warranty for workmanship and materials. And the biggest perk of all? Most window treatments include a five-year, no-questions-asked replacement warranty.
Besides Chris and Beth, team members include Customer Service Associate Amanda Overbay, Design Consultant Jon Marquardt, and Installer Bill Fadely, who pride themselves on personalized, full service, and helping customers select quality window treatments that reflect their style.
“We strive to beautify our customers’ spaces,” said Patterson, who enjoys interacting with his clients, some of whom come in regularly just to look around.
Local commercial customers and contractors are a significant part of Patterson’s business, servicing local banks, along with area schools, professional office buildings and restaurants. “We’re working to grow the commercial aspect of our business,” Patterson said. It’s promising that Budget Blinds sells more custom window treatments than any other company nationwide.
“Our experience in the window-covering industry sets us apart from the competition, but our passion for customer satisfaction is what keeps our clients coming back,” Patterson said.
Budget Blinds of Muncie and Noblesville serves the Pendleton, Noblesville, Cicero, Hartford, Anderson, Yorktown, Muncie, New Castle, Winchester, and Albany areas. It is located at 827 South Tillotson Avenue in Muncie. Visit budgetblinds.com/muncie_in for window treatment design ideas.
