Let’s Talk Business – Darren’s Blinds, Shutters and Curtains

Darren’s Blinds, Shutters and Curtains is run by Sunshine Coast locals Darren and Melissa, who have been delivering quality products and using local suppliers for almost ten years. Their middle son is also a well-known member of the team, with his voiceover and catchphrase “Hi Dad, I mean Darren!” on the radio from 2019 onwards.  We had chat with Melissa about what makes this business so special.

Where were you born and raised, and what brought you to the Sunny Coast?

“Darren and I were both born and lived in Geelong till our mid 20s when we moved to Brisbane together. Like all Victorians here we came for the beautiful weather, and we moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2006 shortly after our first child Jack was born.  

When did you begin Darren’s Blinds, Shutters and Curtains, and what was the impetus behind it?

“Darren went into the window furnishing industry in 2006, but it wasn’t till 2015 he became Darren’s Blinds Shutters & Curtains. He wanted to provide that personalised service and look after people from quote to finish.  

“He wanted to provide good old-fashioned service, arriving on time for appointments and delivering quality products in the timeframes he had promised.  

“Darren is very true and genuine in what he sells, and we pride ourselves on getting it right the first time, with quality customer service and products.”

What do you think sets your business apart from others?

“Our products are locally made on the Sunshine Coast with our curtains made in Buderim, our indoor blinds and awnings from Forest Glen and our security screens and doors manufactured at Yandina.  

“We provide Australian Made shutters and our outdoor blinds are locally made too. This supports other businesses on the Sunshine Coast and means we can deliver products in a prompt timeframe to be installed. It also means locals don’t have to drive to Brisbane for products, and we are a family-friendly business that employs staff with consideration to their work-life balance.”

What does a 'typical' day entail for you?

“I’m in the showroom and office during school hours, along with my work colleague Karlee. I run all the advertising, website, accounting and administration. Karlee has extensive product knowledge and answers all the phone enquiries and assists with showroom visitors.  

Darren oversees everything in the business and has knowledge of everything going on! He organised the setting up of our new commercial premises in Kunda Park, plus our new store in Hervey Bay with some other like mind businesses from the Sunny Coast, called the Fit Out Hub. 

“Our middle child Hayden has done our radio advertising for us for about the past five years, on Sea FM and Mix FM, and his voice has got deeper and deeper as the years have gone by. He’s our funny, quirky kid who didn’t care what kids were saying when our advertisement came on the radio on the school bus!”

What is the most useful advice you could give someone regarding home interiors?

“With a new build, don’t forget to allocate some money to your window furnishings! We are the last trade to come in and install, after the painter. Get us in six weeks before you move in for free in home measure and quote, not before, we need the windows frames built! We only take approximately four weeks from deposit for install for our products so our products will be ready to go in just before you.”

What do you like about the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland area?

We love how close everything is in the Sunshine Coast, from beaches to a waterfall at Buderim, Montville shops, rolling hills of Maleny, great breweries, the restaurants at The Wharf and Ocean Street, Eumundi Market and only an hour from Brisbane for a concert or an AFL game or a big shopping session!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

“We invest ourselves in our children’s sport between, netball, AFL and soccer our weekends are pretty loaded with trips to Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Darren’s often been AFL coach for our boys although this year he’s having a break. I am our youngest daughter Lana’s netball coach this year. 

“We love entertaining at home with good friends and family or going out to dinner to some of our lovely restaurants on the Sunny Coast. It’s such a great place to live and work.”

Darren’s Blinds, Shutters and Curtains, Unit 2/34 Hitech Dr, Kunda Park QLD 4559 / Phone: 07 5438 4017 / Website: darrensblindsshuttercurtains.com