Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Hansen.
Hi Kelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We opened as a home office in 2004, following our time working for larger interior design firms. In 2006, we purchased a vacant Victorian building on State Street in Downtown Howell. After a two-year restoration, we moved our offices into that space, where we remained for 16 years before relocating to our larger, current location in Brighton, Michigan. We are excited to announce the opening of our second location last month in Kalamazoo to service Southwest Michigan.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has had it ups and downs, but primarily we’ve been positive and growing since our inception. Some of the more challenging times were the housing bubble of 2008 and of course the shutdown during the pandemic. during tough times like these I am thankful that we are a smaller size design firm that is able to shift focus from renovation to new construction meeting our clients where their needs are changing
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
State Street Blinds and Design is a full-service interior design firm specializing in home furnishings and window coverings. We operate two beautiful showrooms to serve both homeowners and members of the trade.
Our staff consists of experienced, degreed designers who are passionate about design and genuinely enjoy the creative process. One of the things that sets us apart from similar firms is our commitment to being involved in every step of the project, from the initial consultation through final delivery and installation. We offer spatial planning, material selection and a showroom that allows clients to sit, see and consider options before purchasing.
We fabricate many of our window coverings in-house and are proud to feature two large Hunter Douglas Galleries, showcasing over 60 full-size window displays. This allows clients to experience all operating systems, fabrics, and opacities on large-scale installations.
As a premier window treatment company, we offer a comprehensive range of products—from the simple, classic treatments most people are familiar with—while priding ourselves on executing more complex projects. This includes custom shutters, automated shades, specialty shaped shades (such as arches and trapezoids), and installations for tall or exceptionally wide windows. Our installers are highly professional and possess deep knowledge and expertise in all these areas.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
As an entrepreneur, I believe taking risks is fundamental. For me it always is uncomfortable but I try to keep growing personally and professionally.
Expanding into Southwest Michigan this year was a decision we weighed for five years, backed by a lot of research, but also some gut instincts. While risk is inherent in small business ownership, I prefer a measured approach, building the business slowly and carefully to establish a steady foundation and avoid over-promising. I want every client who visits our showroom to feel they have our dedicated time and expert staff to guide them through their project. I’ve seen many companies attempt rapid growth and lose that personal touch.
My philosophy is to build deliberately and steadily; we began as a company of one in 2002 and have grown into a team of ten which may seem small by some standards but they are a great group with a lot of competence.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statestreetblindsanddesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statestreetstudios
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/state-street-blinds-and-design/
Image Credit: Marta Perez
Image Credit: Ryan Halsey
