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at mindset had served Shreya well since opening the doors to Budget Blinds Freehold in 2019. While Budget Blinds holds a national presence, Shreya stresses the vital role each local company holds. "It is incumbent upon all of us to uphold the reputation of the brand," she shares. As she puts it, "we are local, we are small, our names are on each review; we are putting ourselves out there." e drive and work ethic Shreya discusses is also evident in Sonie's success. Winner of "Franchise of the Year" from Budget Blinds, Sonie has been working hard and delivering on her promises to customers, all while juggling life as a busy mom of three. "I was a fashion diva," describes Sonie, referencing the 13 years she spent working in the fashion industry in NYC. Aer starting a family and seeing the need for a more local career ("something where I didn't have to be on a plane every month to Italy"), Sonie discovered a local Budget Blinds franchise for sale and jumped right in. "I used to dress people; now I dress windows," she describes, sharing how the business allows her to "still be creative and have an outlet." With Budget Blinds locations in Paramus, Westwood, and Ridgewood, Sonie asserts that the power behind Budget Blinds is that "there is a budget for every style." Like Shreya, Sonie sees the value in being able to "run independently and small, but backed by a large company." Whether the customer wants to go with "good, better, or best," Sonie emphasizes that "our value and design is amazing." While their recent collaboration might not be typical for the average window treatment company, it is a testament to the guiding principles both Shreya and Sonie embrace. "Help each other, build each other up, and support each other," Sonie emphasizes when asked what advice she would give to fellow women in business. For Shreya, one of the best pieces of advice she's received has come from Sonie: "to just do it." She explains, "Sometimes we get stuck in the loop of getting it perfect before we do it, but there is so much progress you can make by just doing it…progress is better than perfection." From the motorized room-darkening shades they installed in the office to the "light and pretty drapes" that were hung in the dining room to the colorful rods, shades, and drapes that decorate the children's areas, Sonie and Shreya played an integral part in bringing Jamie and Jason's vision to life. 52 VUENJ.COM

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