Champion Blinds

West Coast Business Park Feature

CHAMPION Blinds continues to stand the test of time as a family-owned business which is among the longest running on the Surf Coast.

The Torquay business was established in 2001 by husband-and-wife duo Craig Smith and Kerryn Mandersloot.

The pair has since grown the business to 12 employees and having their own showroom.

Mr Smith said he always knew he would work for himself one day after starting his career employed under other businesses in the region.

“For me it’s our staff and customers, it sounds cliché but I have made a lot of friends through business which keeps the job enjoyable,” he said.

Champion Blinds supplies and installs all window furnishing for inside and outside the home.

“We do curtains, blinds, awnings, shutters and soft furnishings,” he said.

“Our showroom is also the only dedicated window furnishing showroom in the Surf Coast.”

The showroom located on Cylinders Drive first opened in 2020, “weeks” before COVID-19 took off across the state, however Mr Smith said his “incredible staff” were able to take the pandemic in their stride.

“The challenges that come along like COVID-19 are difficult but if you tackle them right it can be rewarding too,” he said.

“We have the showroom by appointment only so people can have a great shopping experience.

“It is a consultation where they get the place to themselves and the customer can make all their selections without being rushed or interrupted.”

After 20 years in business, Mr Smith said the most rewarding part about growing his business is being able to give back to the Torquay community.

“Small communities rely on the circle of generosity,” he said.

“The Surf Coast is our home, it’s where our children have grown up and we have now got the business to a point where we can give back to our community.

“We sponsor the football and basketball club and work with schools in terms of donations.”

Serving the Surf Coast, Greater Geelong and the Bellarine regions, Champion Blinds works closely with architects and interior designers to ensure they deliver the best and most practical finishes.

“It really is the finishing touch, so much goes into the construction and the design of the house but the last thing that will go in before the keys are handed over is the window coverings,” he said.

“It is not just aesthetic but practicality, it has to be the right product for the right job, we need to think about fabric, orientation and how it will be used.

“Whenever I talk to people about window furnishing there is always a lot of questions I need to ask before I know what will be appropriate.”To book in your consultation contact Champion Blinds on 5261 9666.