Cindy Solomon owns Accent Interiors, a 14-year-old custom window treatments business that she started as a partnership. It provides custom window treatments and has grown through word-of-mouth over the years. While the business has slowed down due to the economy, Cindy finds the most rewarding part to be happy customers. She plans to maintain the business's high quality reputation going forward.

1. Small Business Owner
Interview
Cindy Solomon, Accent Interiors, My
Mother
Matt Solomon, Nichols
College, MGMT 100-08

2. The Business
Type of business structure (Sole proprietorship, Partnership
or Limited Liability Partnership, LLC, S Corporation, C-
corporation)
Partnership
Why did they choose this structure instead of another?
At the time there were more advantages to setting up the
business regarding responsibilities.
Product
Custom Window Treatments
How long they have been in business?
14 years

3. Background of
Business
How did they get started?
Started sewing window treatments for each other and decided to start
working out of the house and making window treatments for others.
How did they finance their purchase of the business?
Invested as they went along
Why did they start the business?
Looking for a part time business where they could make their own hours
and earn some extra money.
What is the owner’s training or background in the business?
Always very creative and liked to sew
How does the company today compare to the company when it started?
It has slowed down due to the economy.

4. Successes
What have been the successes?
Happy customers and plenty of references. Grown by word
of mouth.
What is the most rewarding aspect of running the business?
Why?
Seeing how happy people are when they like the work that is
done.
What are the critical success factors for this type of business?
None

5. Challenges
What have been the challenges?
Familiarizing one-self with the latest trends and techniques.
What is the most challenging aspect of running the business?
Why?
That she has to be dependent on others to do well and when
they mess up it is a reflection upon her.
How did they overcome the challenges?
Staying on top of the employees.
What are the fatal flaws in this type of business?
If you make a mistake it’s all on your head.

6. Competition
Who do you consider two of your closest competitors?
None
How does the business try to achieve competitive advantage?
Customer satisfaction and lower prices.
How do you keep your customers satisfied? How do you build
customer loyalty?
By ensuring quality and being dependable and reliable.

7. Marketing and Staffing
What type of strategies do you employ to market your
business?
No marketing
When considering new employees for your
business, what type of qualities and fit are you looking
for?
Dependability and reliability

8. The Future
Does the owner plan to stay in
business for the extended future
and, if so, what are some of their
future plans/goals for the business?
Yes, maintain the high quality that
you are known for.

9. Unique Questions
What unique interesting questions did you ask
and what were the responses? (Ask at least
three questions of your own.)
Are there any unusual strategies you applied?
Is it a business that you would recommend
others to get into?
Have the changes in recent tax laws affected
you in a major way?

10. Summary
What advice does the business owner
have for the members of this class?
If you start a small business make
sure its something you’re passionate
about.
What did you learn?
That her business is a partnership.