Why Budget Blinds of Lee's Summit and Cass County
Meet your local, neighborhood experts.
Here's our team: ready to design the perfect look in new custom window coverings for you!
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Jim and Debbie Stoddard
Owners
Meet Debbie and Jim, the dynamic duo behind Budget Blinds! With over 20 years of experience, they've built a thriving business based on their shared love for interior design and business. Debbie's interior design experience and Jim's business savvy have been the perfect combination for success.
As proud parents of three daughters, two of whom have joined the family business, and grandparents to three, Debbie and Jim are deeply rooted in the community. They've called Lee's Summit home for the past 25 years.
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Amber Atha
Design Consultant
Meet Amber, our talented Design Consultant! She's been with us for nearly five years and has a passion for all things interior design. As a certified Lutron expert and drapery specialist, Amber can help you elevate your space with stylish and functional window treatments.
When she's not helping clients, Amber is a proud pet owner and a dedicated Kansas City sports fan. She's also a local music enthusiast and can recommend the best spots to catch a live show.
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Courtney Laufketter
VP of Sales and Marketing
Meet Courtney Stoddard Laufketter, a third-generation family member and the heart of our team! As a skilled Design Consultant, Office Manager, and Automation Specialist, Courtney has been with Budget Blinds since 2002. She loves helping customers create beautiful spaces and is committed to giving back to the community. Courtney is married to her husband, Josh, and is a proud mom to Masie and Burt Macklin.
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Lauren Masters
Showroom Manager
1 year
Meet Lauren Masters, a local Lee’s Summit resident and proud graduate of Blue Springs South High School. With a warm smile and five years of experience in the bustling downtown restaurant scene, Lauren is the welcoming face you’ll encounter at our showroom. Joining our team in 2023, she’s dedicated to ensuring your visit is exceptional. Outside of work, Lauren cherishes quality time with her family, including her partner Robbie and their furry companions, Abel and Bobber.
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Morgan Grafton
Design Consultant
3 years
Meet Morgan, our talented Design Consultant! She's been with us since 2021 and has a passion for creating beautiful spaces. As a Lutron Certified Expert and Drapery Specialist, she has the knowledge and skills to help you with all your design needs. With a background in the restaurant industry, Morgan is also a great source for food and drink recommendations. When she's not working, she's likely spending quality time with her adorable daughter, Reid.
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Ryan Gillihan
Installer
3 years
Meet Ryan, our lead installer! He's been with us since 2021 and is known for his exceptional customer service and expert installation skills. As a proud National Guard veteran and lifelong Kansan, Ryan brings a strong work ethic and a friendly demeanor to every job. When he's not hard at work, you can find him hiking, smoking meats, or cheering on the Chiefs.
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Taylor Kistler
Design Consultant
6 years
Meet Taylor, your go-to design expert! A Lee's Summit native and UMKC alum, Taylor loves staying up-to-date on the latest interior design trends and inspiring others to embrace their unique style. As a self-proclaimed foodie and cat mom, she brings a fun and energetic approach to her work.
Taylor is skilled at helping clients visualize their dream space and selecting the perfect window treatments to bring their vision to life. She believes that the design process should be enjoyable and stress-free, and she's committed to making every interaction positive.
Taylor and her husband, Bronson, live in Kansas City with their three adorable cats: Mason, Bingham, and Hammon.
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Burt Macklin
Customer Service Representative
5 Years of Experience
Burt Macklin (retired FBI agent) is an almost 5-year-old-dog of the breed we like to call “yeah that sounds right” any time anyone asks us if he is a certain one. He is from Central Missouri and was rescued from the humane society in Columbia.
Burt Macklin graduated top of his class from obedience school but after his teenage years of rebellion decided that sleeping was way better than listening to rules. He likes long walks around the block and eating anything you give him. You can find him in his chairs in the showroom eager to greet you, as long as you come to him because he really doesn’t want to move.
We're looking for people to join our team.
If you love the idea of becoming an expert and providing outstanding customer service, give us a shout.
Budget Blinds of Lee’s Summit and Overland Park has an immediate opening for a full time Installer. As an installer, you’ll have the opportunity to be an important contributor to growing our locally owned business. You will have the opportunity to travel and work directly with our clients and perform all aspects of installation in a timely, polite and professional manner. You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a dependable problem solver who communicates effectively. You’ll need to provide transportation to and from work, but a company vehicle will be provided for installer trips.
Key Responsibilities and Skills
Key Responsibilities
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Transport and handle products and tools safely to client destination
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Install units using necessary tools and recommended techniques
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Inspect pre-installed product for any malfunctions
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Conduct post-installation inspections for proper operation and potential damage
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Initial entrance to home remove shoes and discusses set up
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Review product with customer – operation, cleaning, warranty
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Collect final balance from customers
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Document all necessary notes of repairs or completion
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Maintains a safe and clean work environment for the company and client
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Solicit customer feedback upon job completion
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Provide additional recommendations to clients on other sales to enhance current needs
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Schedule and confirm installation as needed
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Prepare blinds for pick up as needed for repairs
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Prepare next day installations with necessary parts
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Install new sampling in the showroom
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Update board with product placement
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Receive and put away deliveries
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Attend continual product training and keeping up to date regarding new product and technical specifications
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Assist with showroom updates as needed and general maintenance of product displays
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Other duties as assigned
Skills
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Technical Skills: Has the technical knowledge and skills to install blinds at a high level of accomplishment (i.e. usage of power tools)
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Customer Focused: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of customers; get first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
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Results-Focused: Solves problems and makes smart decisions that drive sales, profit or customer service; executes work efficiently and effectively; inspires strong performance in self and others
- Learn as you go: Learns quickly with facing new problems or issues; experiments and will try anything to find solutions; enjoys figuring out success, failures and clues for improvement; quickly grasps the underlying structure of anything.