What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I have always been upfront and extremely fair within my cost and fees within my expert services,... that I have always provided so that all knows exactly what to expect when it comes to upon completion of the installation......
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I am always supplied with basically a moving hardware store within my van equipped with all necessary equipment to handle any job, whether it's anything to do with all drapery and artwork installations...
For 36years supporting the designer industry in every aspect!!
That also includes all faucets of drapery/window treatments, Artwork, Picture Galleries, Mirrors, Bath Fixtures,.such as towel racks, toilet holders, All, Furniture Assembly,... etc.....
I have many designers across the board that will attest and have work with for many years. From top to bottom across all spectrums... that i have supported in my best of ways!!!,.... So much fun and definitely a privilege in doing so!!!👍🙆
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have owned and sold several corporations within the design industry with as many as 30 or more employees that have worked for me for many years within the design industry.
I have mentored many Interior Designers and Interns from various Universities that have prospered within the design industry throughout many years.
I started as a production manager in my early 20s. Manufacturing vertical blinds for Bedells MFC..
Then at age 22 opened up a retail store called Vertical Station and a service company called Metropolitan Installations and Repairs....
At that time 1988 I was then doing consultations for all drapery, shades window treatments and doing installations for many design firms.
In 2004 I co-founded Designers Choice Design Center. My design center that was for the design trade only.
With having over several hundred design firms on account. I was representing as a wholesaler to the trade,.. Robert Allen, Kravit, Duralee,Fabricut, Scalimandre, and some of the best well known fabric companies within the fabric industry as well as wall coverings, Drapery Hardware, furniture, accessories as a wholesaler satellite design center to the Washington D.C. Design Center.
In 2006 I opened up The SilkTasselRod Shoppe in Arlington, Virginia along with my drapery workroom to the trade, mostly high end design firms...manufacturing draperies, euro shams, bedskirts, pillows, etc.
Trust me, i did not mention my over several hundred dignitaries throughout New York and the Washington D.C. area and throughout this country that i have had the absolute pleasure to professionly work with.
Way to many to mention!!!!
Now, after getting rid of all the payroll and the headaches of my crazy endeavours,..i have settled down enjoying exactly what I love to do....
Giving the public the best of services in the best of ways at a affordable fair cost.
The public deserve the best!!!!!!😀
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I came out of the US Army's Big Red One honorably discharged after a 6 year stint receiving the Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Over Seas Ribbon, Ft. Riley's Parachute Team and several other accommodations and awards in 1987 as a RATT Rig operator/Crypto guy thinking to myself at the time that all i wanted to do is take some good time off and relax in every way!!!!!
Within a couple of weeks i went to a gathering with several people and friends and struck up a conversation with this older guy that mentioned he and his family has had a business running strong for 3 generations.
He expressed interest in me,.. knowing that i just completed a 4 year stint in the US Army and noticed how I presented myself in a organized, disciplined way....
Within 1 month of starting my eventual career within the design industry,.... this guy, Mark Stamer,.. Bedells MFG. Company,.. made me his production manager,.. leap frogged over several employees that had been there way before me..... Awkward!!!!🙄
For the next year and a half I was sitting on a sewing machine manufacturing vertical blinds for designers around the Wahington DC, Mid Atlantic areas......
Everything else from that point started my career in the designer industry.........
What types of customers have you worked with?
Now over the past 37years, I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with some of the best Interior Designers in this country allowing me to meet many dignitaries along the way!!!!!!
Well known clients such as,... Joan Rivers,.. comedian, Actor, TV Show Host, Writer,.. Larry King,.. American Radio, TV Host,... Natasha Bedingfield,.. (Writer,.. Singer, Composer) John Glenn,.(Astronaut),..Prince Bandar and family,.. Saudi Arabia Crown Prince,.. Colan Powell(Chairman Joint Chief of Staff, and Secretary of State)..., Joe Gibbs, (Head Coach of the Washington Redskins...., Daniel and Tanya Snyder(Washington Commanders owner), Ben Domenech(Publisher,..Editor Federalist Newspaper,.. News Commentator,.. Meaghan McCain,..(John and Cindy McCains),.. daughter,.. (Major political commentator,. Formally, The View Show,). ...., Ray Washburne,.. Admiral Jeremiah,.. (Vice Chairman Joint Chief of Staff),...Admiral Swift,(US Navy Commander of the 7th Fleet) Admiral Greenart,(Chief of Naval Operations), Admiral Richardson (US Navy Chief of Naval Operations) Admiral Gilday(Chief of Naval Operations),.. Admiral Howard (First 4Star African American female in the US Navy) Vice Admiral Miller, Vice Admiral Vince Carter and Vice Admiral Sean Buck (All three current and former Superentendents at the Naval Academy),.. OMG! Such a privilege!!,.Joe Biden(VP) Naval Observatory, Red Auerbach (GM for the Boston Celtics)...Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Kevin Grevey, Washington Bullets,...Juan Dixon NBA, University of Maryland MVP National Championships, Robyn Dixon (Potomac Housewives),.. George McPhee,(General Manager of the Washington Capitals),.. Tom Shadyak(Produced and wrote all the Jim Carey movies,.Art Monk(Redskins), Shawn Springs (Redskins) Ernie Grunfeld,(GM Washington Wizards)Dick Bartley,..(Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) Katherine Graham,..( Washington Post founding family),..John T. Hazel,..Land Developer,.. SW Rodgers,..Land Developer,.. Frank Surface,.. Superior Asphalt and Paving,... Richard Fairbanks,..(CEO Capital One Bank)C. Everett Koop..,(Surgeon General)Kathleen Sebelius,..(HUH) Pinehurst Country Club, NC, Morrison House Hotel, Old Town, Alexandria, Georgetown Inn Hotel, Washington DC, The Inn at Little Washington, Virginia, Chef Patrick, TV shows, Trading Spaces, Design On A Dime, Americas Extreme Home Makeover,.....and so many more to even begin to mention!!!!!!!
I have always given my expert services to everyone from the highest end to the lowest end and i find that my greatest pleasure is meeting people from all walks of life from around the globe that has always given me a true prospective of my own personal life!!!!!!
Personally, I looooooove nothing less then walking into a household and naturally sense and the feel the warmth and love!!!!
Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I have many projects that i am proud of although i really feel privileged to have supported many of the US Navy Admirals, Vice Admirals,.. Marine Corps Generals, US Air Force Generals, US Army Generals and the Vice Presidents house at The Naval Observatory,.. The Uniformed division of the Secret Service,.. I've had the ultimate privilege to work in every house at the US Naval Academy, Navy Annex next to the State Dept. All the houses at The Navy Yard DC for over 25 years as a DOD Contractor.
Hanging Artwork, Installing Draperies and Shades Etc...
Another arm of my expert services for over 3 decades was supporting the model home industries across this country working with many of the leading design firms such as Furniture Brands, Hickory Chair, Model Home Interiors,. Builders Design and Leasing (BDL), Home Builders and Design, Carlyn and Company and many more!!! for builders that includes,.. NVR, (Ryan Homes, Ryland Homes, Beazer Homes,Toll Brothers, Craftmark Homes, Pulte Homes,.. and many more nationwide.
I was responsible for all the window treatments and Artwork..... iam thinking that some of my best/fun moments was when for many years installing shades for many of the Air Traffic Control Centers at many of the Commercial Airports and Air Traffic Control Centers at Naval and military airports,..
nothing better then getting buzzed by a F-16 fighter jet while working in a air tower!!!... it only happened 3 times for me,. every time was a thrill!!!
Sooooo much fun!!!!!!😀
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
My advice is never hire a handyman,......
A handyman knows a little about everything although that's about it!!!!
You should only hire contractors that do one thing and one thing great!!!
A handyman will get into a jam and completely cut a corner to finish the job just to get paid!!!!
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
I am thinking that the consumer, in order to get the best outcome within their project should think about hiring a true professional that absolutely knows their business inside and out that can easily, "through their many years of experience"... get you out of a jam in your best of ways!!!!... Hire a organization that is specific within their spectrum of expertise...... that way,... you'll have no reservations or concerns that your in good hands..... I see contractors scaddered all over the place, offering dozens of services... that have no certain area of expertise.,.. Yea,... they will get the job done to the fullest,.... Maybe!!🙆