Blind Man

Teri and Colin Sellwood began Blind Man in 1993, with one phone hanging from the wall in an unfinished basement, and with the motto, “We’re not happy unless our clients are happy.”
According to Colin, that motto not only remains true for the window blind retailer, but it has now become the standard by which they judge all their work.
“We operate 100% on that basis because that’s what people deserve and what they expect,” Colin emphasized. “Fun is important to us. We are non-pressure, and we believe in operating with a smile and a laugh.”
Since Blind Man opened in 1993, Colin has been driving up to Eureka almost every Friday from the Flathead to meet with prospective customers.
“People call us, thinking about some blinds,” Colin said, going through the process. “Maybe one blind for the bathroom, or for the whole house. That’s one of the fun parts; I never know until I get there. I go up and knock on the door – usually there’s a dog or two. And first you have to make friends with the dog.”
From there, small talk commences until they get around to the window situation. Colin gives his recommendation, based on the room and what the customer wants the blind to accomplish: privacy, insulation, looking nice, light control, UV protection, all of the above, etc.
With Blind Man’s 1,500 square foot Hunter Douglas showroom, the only one in Montana, there are enough options for any homeowner. Hunter Douglas is the leading blinds manufacturer in the country, and since Blind Man has the only showroom for Hunter Douglas, it gives them access to many styles no other Montana retailer can have. When meeting with a customer, Colin brings a large selection of fabrics, woods, and examples of different styles of blinds.
“Then I take measurements, give them a price, and leave it to them...they may have to think about it. That’s how we operate,” Colin said.
Also important to Blind Man is its service division. In the Flathead, if someone calls needing a blind fix, they can be there within 48 hours. For the Eureka area, it would be a little longer, but they are almost always there within that week. Unless the cause is obvious negligence, Blind Man doesn’t charge for any maintenance work.
“Other retailers, once they make the sale, they’re gone,” Colin said. “Not with us. We’re about long term relationships, doing great work, and making it fun!”