She Owns it – Chawanne Rutues- Burns – Budget Blinds
Tell me about your background.
I am a wife a mother and a Chemical Engineer. I am not originally from Michigan, but I have lived here for about 20 years. I have two young boys Cannon – 4 and Chase – 2 and am married to a wonderful man Kerry. I practiced Environmental Engineering, and Project Engineering for about 6 years in the corporate world.
What was happening in your life that caused you to want to own a business?
I always thought I should be doing more in life, and I wanted more for my kids and family. I also wanted the flexibility to raise my kids and to be able to look back and have memories of their childhood. I was in the car from early morning until well after dinner.
Why franchising (did you consider a startup)?
I like franchising because it already has the nuts and bolts of how the particular business should be ran, the necessary tools needed for start-up, and a support system. Basically, a proven system that works. With a start-up you are swimming at your own risk with no life guards. I did not want to do that being that this was my first time in the pool.
Why Budget Blinds? – did you look at any other options?
I chose Budget Blinds because I believed the corporate office was serious about me succeeding in the business. I met Chad Hallock during the discovery day and he talked with us, and from that day on I was ready to sign on the dotted line.
What was the biggest surprise (something you didn’t expect) when you opened your business?
I did not expect the amount of paperwork that is required when owning your own business. It requires me to be very organized and if I’m not something will fall through the cracks that really needs to get done.
What would you have done differently now that you know what you know?
Manage my resources better- estimate my start-up cost and then add an extra 25% to that figure. I would definitely have fine-tuned the process of the business and documents before I hired anyone, even contractors.
What’s the best thing about owning your own business?
The flexibility. As a mom and a wife, it is important to have a work-life balance. It is easier to manage my business and my family life when I am the creator of the schedule.
What’s next for you?
Now that I have reached my second year in business, I hope to continue to grow it over the next several years, so I can work ON the business and not IN the business.
