In the early days, Mike worked out of his home in Brooklyn Center and was focused on installing blinds for already established designers and retailers. At first, he had very few clients and found himself driving from East to West and North to South just to survive.
Blind Installation Services was founded by Mike Marthaler in March of 1992, and incorporated in September of the same year.
After a few years, the demand became too great for one person to handle and Mike hired a subcontractor, Steve Denny a.k.a. “Vito”. Vito is currently still with the company and is our motorization specialist. Since then, our team has continued to grow and we are now up to 20 employees, counting seasonal and part-time workers.
Expansion
Exploring More Services
In 1997 the business moved to 50th and University Avenue in Columbia Heights and changed its name to Blind Installation & Repair. The expansion into repair services was a true blessing, as the repairs kept the business alive during the recession in 2008.
During the time on University Avenue, Mike took on a partner, John Imholte. Previously, John was co-owner of an office furniture installation company, and was looking for a change. In 2003, John and Mike decided to buy a property across the river due to the ever-increasing rent. Blind Installation & Repair moved into a 3,000 sq. ft. building on 53rd and Bryant in Brooklyn Center. For the next 11 years, they continued to grow, and their services and staff kept improving.
In 2014, the company had grown to the point that their building was no longer big enough, and Mike and John bought the current 11,000 sq. ft. building in Crystal.
Building Again
Refocusing Our Business Model
In March 2020, Covid-19 hit and the governor asked that all non-essential businesses temporarily shut down. Although Blind Installation & Repair was deemed essential, Mike made the decision to shut down all services for two weeks for the safety of his team members.
On March 27, 2020, Mike and John made a mutual decision to transfer ownership back to Mike, making him the sole owner of Blind Installation and Repair. As Chief Operating Officer, John remains with the company and continues to bring wisdom and passion to the industry. After the initial shutdown, Blind Installation & Repair has re-opened and is following current protocols to ensure client safety.
As information and details continued to evolve regarding the pandemic, it was made clear that Blind Installation & Repair needed to refocus their business model. As proud Hunter Douglas certified installers, Blind Installation & Repair has had the honor to represent several local designers and retailers as their labor force. The company has always been viewed as the “finishing touch” to the end user, as they focused on installation of new product and repair of existing product.
Our New Brand
With the ever-changing climate, Blind Installation & Repair has decided to re-brand and offer all services direct to the consumer. This decision did not come easily, but they felt it was absolutely necessary for Blind Installation & Repair to continue to survive and grow for many years to come. In addition to direct sales, they will continue to offer installation and repair services and ensure that the integrity they have displayed these past 29 years will continue.
Blind Installation & Repair is excited to offer consumers a convenient one-stop, full-service, in-home option for all their window covering needs!
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide high quality products that combine performance with value pricing, while establishing a successful relationship with our customers and our suppliers.
At Blind Installation and Repair Inc., we constantly strive to meet or exceed our customers’ needs and expectations of price, service and selection. To this end, we will perform periodic reviews of the marketplace to improve our offerings.
Blind Installation and Repair Inc. will stay ahead of the competition by innovating new products and services based on the needs of our customer and market demand.
Our Mission
At Blind Installation and Repair Inc., it is our goal to provide the highest level of service and the most competitive prices. We are a company driven by our values; our seven core values include the following:
- Excellent customer service
- Taking care of our people
- Giving back
- Doing the right thing
- Respect for all people
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Building strong relationships
Our mission is to achieve profit and growth through the installation and repair service of window treatment products, to place customer service as our number one priority and to provide services specific for our clients so that we can exceed customers’ expectations and to build a favorable, lasting relationship with our customers, partners, employees and our community by conducting all affairs with the highest moral and ethical principles.
We strive to set the standard for our industry in customer service and excellence.
Our Mission Within Our Corporation
At Blind Installation and Repair Inc. we strive to give homeowners pride and confidence in the window coverings they choose. We deliver lifetime quality at an affordable price and industry leading service before, during and after the sale.
Blind Installation and Repair Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, offering paid training, competitive salaries, and other desirable benefits to qualified individuals.
At Blind Installation and Repair Inc., we believe that leadership and superb employees are key to our company’s future growth. Our employees are key to our company’s future growth. Our employees are professionals trained to serve our clients with the highest standards and excellence in quality and service.
Customer Partnerships
Blind Installation and Repair Inc. strive to develop partnerships with each of our customers, and conduct our business affairs in a highly ethical manner and with a common sense approach.
Employee Development
To provide a safe and productive work environment which enables every employee to realize the fullness of his/her creative and professional potential.
Continuous Improvement
To constantly strive to improve all aspects of our business, including product quality, performance and value.