Entries by Roger

Beating the odds

The statistics show that 50% of small business owners will close their operations in the first five years of business. 80% of the remaining business will shut their doors in the five years after that. In another words, out of 100 new small businesses that open their doors today, only TEN will remain open in […]

Another Year In Paradise!

Hello and Happy New Year! I had a tremendous time over the holidays in Brazil: great food, family & friends around and lots of smiles. The pictures below can tell you how much fun we had: On my eleven hour flight back to the States, I was wondering how can I have the same type […]

2015 – A Reflection and a Vision

2015 started off well…. We had high expectations. We offered great products. 2015 ended even BETTER You called, I answered. You spent your hard-earned money. But you loved it. We had a great time. You needed it covered. I went 3 steps up… I went 20 feet up… It looked awesome! It was too high… I gave […]

We are now Nationwide! Well, Sorta!

Last week I received a call from Claire. Claire was moving from North Reading to Milford, and needed window coverings for her new home. I have to be honest: I don’t receive many phone calls these days. The majority of my inquires are either via email or text. Yes, texting is so popular nowadays and […]

Riding Along – Vol II

Another seven day week….with lots of plantation shutters and lots and lots of miles! On Sunday, I went to Provincetown a.k.a. “P Town”. This project was installed last Spring, but there were some construction issues over the summer, so the home needed to be repainted. So, I went to reinstall all of the window treatments including fabric Roman shades, automated […]

Riding Along – Vol I

Riding Along is our new way to keep in touch with our clients, friends and fans. Every week , you will have the opportunity to learn what we did, where we went, and what jobs we performed. We’ll even try to make it fun and entertaining sometimes. Curious? Intrigued? Good! Lets check it out: The Holidays Kick […]

Facebooking It

I use Facebook daily…For several reasons: keeping up with family and friends (here and in Brazil), to manage my Shades In Place page and even to admin a group I’ve created (Free Speech Window Treatment Group) to share knowledge among my trade peers. So, not a single day goes by without me checking on my […]

The Consistency of Change

Today is my birthday, not that it really matters to you, or to the stock market on Monday…But I’ve noticed that after 42 times celebrating it on the exact same day of the month (Imagine that!) that the only constant in life is change… For instance: after my first 3 years in school my family […]

Boy…Oh boy !

Last month I wrote about my new working van and how happy I was. Can you believe that, in a little over six weeks, I have driven almost 5,500 miles already? Yeah, between jobs all over the place like Boston, Cape Cod and the Islands, Motorization Courses, Plantation Shutter courses, and a tax-free weekend, our […]

My New Working Van

Last month, I wrote about celebrating my 9 year anniversary in business…A few days later, I got a resignation letter from my 2006 Chevy Express van saying: “Dear Roger, as you are celebrating another strong year in business, I know you are very pumped to achieve much more in the years to come… Unfortunately, I […]

Winning Numbers

I have always been fascinated by numbers and dates. I am not sure if that fascination is related to the fact that I was born on a Friday 13th or not but since I was a kid, numbers have always intrigued me. So, it’s no surprise that around this time of the year we are […]

A memorable surprise!

Welcome to Mother’s Day Month! My Mom lives in Brazil and every Mother’s Day I send her a nice gift in the mail followed by a phone call and a long conversation. And yes, tears are just part of the ritual. I guess what I am trying to do is somehow narrow the void created […]

Picture hanging over stairwell in Boston South End

Picture hanging over stairwell in Boston South End Here’s a fair question: how long would you guess hanging a single picture on the wall may take? Thirty minute to an hour? As a professional offering Art Hanging Services my answer would be it depends. The following job took exactly 2 hours and 45 minutes for […]

Plantation Shutter for Palladium Window in Mansfield, MA

Plantation Shutter for Palladium Window in Mansfield, MA “I would highly recommend Shades In Place. The decorator helping me with my home uses Roger quite a bit, and she thought he would do a good job. He was very professional. His measurements were right and his suggestions were spot on. We were very pleased with […]

How many times can you score ‘my first time’?

I must admit that March had been long anticipated around here. Not just because the month of March is the start to the spring season and warmer temps (honestly, nothing could have been colder than this past winter in Boston) but also because there were several first times lined up: a-     It was my first […]

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Put Bryan on the speed dial

Put Bryan on the speed dial After my last email mentioning the snow damages at my shop, a big storm took place. No, not a white one. Instead, a big storm of emails, phone calls and even choco brownies in the mail to express support and friendship. THANK YOU!! Among those emails was one from […]

Breaking News

Hello and my apologies for sending another email to you in the month. However I’ve thought it is my responsibility to inform you that due to the extreme amounts of snowfall this winter, my showroom has taken the hit. Lots of snow melting causing severe water damage to our facility..The good news is that event […]

A week of ‘First Timers’

A week of First Timers I have been installing window treatments for almost ten years. In that time frame I have seen many situations from modest homes all the way up to the million dollar ones. Some people may think that windows are all the same and not much could vary from one to another. […]

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New Year’s Resolution-ish

In case you are not aware, today is the 39th day of the year. By now most likely your New Year’s plans to quit smoking, lose weight and get along with your brother-in-law  all those wheels have fallen off the wagon. Yeah, me too… For instance, last month I mentioned that this newsletter was going […]

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It’s time to get resourceful

I simply learn so much from my virtual mentor Harvey Mackay. Being resourceful should be the mindset of any professional – specially window treatment installers like myself. Hope you’ll get inspired by his blog Home: www.HarveyMackay.com Email: [email protected] -x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x- Success is not about your lack of resources, it’s about being resourceful with what you have […]

Best Of Houzz 2015 Award

Shades In Place Inc. of Franklin,MA receives Best Of Houzz 2015 Award Boston, MA – January 28, 2015 – Shades In Place Inc. of Franklin has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The Automated Shade Solutions company was chosen by the more than 25 […]

Don’t let success breed complacency

Although this post is not directly related to window coverings, it is truly related to how I think and  run my company. The takeaway for me is “Never stop learning…” Hope you will enjoy it too. By Harvey Mackay www.HarveyMackay.com [email protected] -x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x- Looking back on his extraordinary career of 35 years, NASCAR driving legend Richard Petty noted […]

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Very Fast Service!!

Solar Shades in Franklin, MA “Only took 10 days for custom shades for our company. We would highly recommend Roger and Shades in Place !!! Job was done in no time at all.”     Client  Vendetti Motors Location Franklin MA 02038 Project Sale & Installation of solar shades for showroom and service areas Scope Client came to us looking […]

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Excellent all around

“Roger was great from our initial discussion all the way through installation. The shades were exactly as expected and installed perfectly. Every aspect of the service was timely and very professional. I highly recommend Shades In Place.”     Client  Ed Parry  (homeowner) Location Milford MA 01757 Project Sale & Installation of cordless and automated cellular shades for […]

From the oven to the freezer

Hello and Happy New Year! After a fantastic 2014 I took a few days off to relax and enjoy time with my folks back home in Brazil. The weather was great – about 85 to 90 degrees for the most part and the food…. mmm…….the food! But like all good things in life, my vacation came to […]

Impeccable service and high quality products

  “Absolutely LOVE our new shades!!! Thank you Roger Magalhaes and Shades IN Place! Impeccable service and high quality products. One little flaw – now the sofa does not match my contemporary decor. Highly recommend Roger and his company to anyone who is thinking of new shades, blinds or the latest trend: motorized shades that you […]

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Outstanding!

” I’ve used Shades In Place for my Master Bedroom, Master Closet, Master Bathroom and Dining Room. Roger is absolutely fantastic. He’s extremely attentive, treats every room as a unique space (no cookie cutter here) and he is honest and professional with his recommendations. He has great email and phone behavior and he’s extremely accomodating regarding […]