Becoming a business owner can be a challenging process, especially if the fate lies on the shoulders of new owners. Family members of Lane and Melanie Seifert opened ABC Blinds & Shades in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 15 years ago, and during the last two years, the Seiferts have taken over ownership of the custom window covering business and, within that time, made it their own.
In 2015, the original business owners were ready to move on into semi-retirement. The Seiferts made a decision to take over and buy ABC Blinds & Shades, however, they ran into financing roadblocks. That’s when they reached out to Jerry Terwilliger, loan specialist with the Center for Rural Affairs for assistance with the ownership transition.
“Getting a loan through our bank was not going in the direction that it needed to,” said Lane. “After talking with some local small businesses, we found out about the Center and contacted Jerry for assistance.”
With Terwilliger's guidance, the couple obtained a small business loan, which helped them purchase ABC Shades & Blinds. He also provided counseling to the business owners through the Center for Rural Affairs Women’s Business Center. In addition, he coached the business owners on how to use QuickBooks and upgrade their billing system.
“This particular technical assistance and loan that we put together for Lane and Melanie is a good example of what the Center can do for existing small businesses in rural areas,” said Terwilliger. “Rather than closing down, these businesses can transition to younger owners and continue to thrive.”
After their business training, the couple felt comfortable enough to make a few changes to their operation in order to make things run more efficiently, including adding a new supplier for aluminum awnings.
“Jerry coached us through everything,” said Melanie. “He gave us incites on the small business world and how to excel.”
ABC Blinds & Shades offers all types and styles of window coverings including shutters, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), cellular, pleated, roller/solar shades, awnings, allure shades, sheers, woven wood, wood blinds, roman shades, and draperies along with custom handmade cornice boxes, and more.
Along with the large variety of products they offer, Lane says the desire to be a small, hometown business that strives for customer satisfaction has led to a successful operation.
“We have been very lucky to have steady business with repeat customers,” Lane said. “Referrals via ‘word of mouth’ are the best form of advertising.”
The couple adjusted to business ownership fairly easily. Lane says he’s always been a jack of all trades, so the work has been fairly easy to adapt to, and the fact that the need for specialized services exists in every location helps, as well.
They credit much of their success to hard work and loyal customers, many of whom they’ve been able to maintain because of the training and assistance they received from the Center.
“The Center is very detail-oriented and very thorough with the info needed to get a loan,” said Melanie. “They want to help people like us make sure we can run a profitable business and take care of our customers for a lifetime.”
For business services in the Scottsbluff area, contact Loan Specialist Anthony Gurrola at 308.631.0157 or [email protected].
At a Glance
ABC Blinds & Shades
2423 Ave. I
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
308.635.0022
Hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday by appointment only
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