Torquay business leader recognised for excellence

CRAIG Smith has been a stalwart of the Torquay business community for more than 20 years.

In 2001 and in partnership with his wife Kerryn Mandersloot, he established Champion Blinds, an expert installer and supplier of custom-made blinds and curtains that provides tailor-made solutions to consumers across the Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula.

The family-owned business is now among the longest running in the region and has truly immersed itself within the local community, actively giving back by supporting a variety of clubs, organisations and initiatives.

It is these contributions to the community, along with Mr Smith’s pursuit of business excellence and commitment to his staff, that have earned him Commerce Torquay’s Business Leader of the Year award at the 2024 Torquay Business Awards, presented by the Surf Coast Times.

“As the leader of Champion Blinds, a 21-year industry leader, Craig as built a strong reputation for exceptional service and customer satisfaction,” the judging panel said.

“Craig was recognised for the impact he has had on his staff and customers with personalised consultations and high-quality solutions.

“Craig also shows true commitment to community wellbeing, supporting local organisations, and is a true leader of this community.”

 

 

Accepting the award on Monday evening, Mr Smith said it was an honour to be recognised, but the accolade was not an individual honour, it was an honour you receive because of the team you have behind you.

That team, Mr Smith said, is a loyal one, filled with staff who have been with the business for a long time.

“We treat people with respect – the clients, the staff, everyone’s treated with respect, and they really, really look after us,” he said.

“We’re very blessed, Kerryn and I, that the people that work for us, we don’t feel like they just work for us, they really treat our business like it’s their business.

“Of those 22 years we’ve been in business, we’ve got a guy who’s been there 21 years and he’s like family to us.”

 

 

Mr Smith comes from a family of small regional family business owners and knows that the people he serves are not just customers, they’re part of his community.

“I don’t think you ever start [a business] with a lofty ambition of anything other than generating income and doing something you like,” he said.

“We just always try to do the right thing and support the community.”

He said the award, although a surprise, reinforced his approach to business.

“It’s nice to have that level of measure and say ‘OK, we think we do it right and there’s other people who think we do it right as well’.

“It’s always been organic growth for us. Our business has grown because we invest into our clients, our people, our community and hopefully that still continues to give us organic growth.

“That’s the way we want to do it. That’s the way we want to get there.”

For more, head to championblinds.com.au