It was January 2023. I had just returned from Brazil: sunny days, family, laughter, grilled meat, and caipirinhas. I was full of warmth—physically, emotionally, and culturally. My tank was topped off.
Then came Boston. The cold hit differently that day. The wind didn’t just go through my jacket—it went through my soul.
That moment, standing there in 17 degrees, shivering and rethinking everything, was the beginning of a shift I didn’t see coming…
Boston Was More Than a Business
It was my first home in America. The first city I learned to navigate. The place where I worked my first job washing cars.
Then came the truck-driving years. Seven of them. Behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, crossing state lines with cargo and dreams, I had a lot of time to think. Time to imagine something else. Something more.
That something became Shades In Place.
Boston is also where I met Ana. My true life partner! It’s where I opened my first business. And where I learned English.
We built a name, a life, and a business. We earned over 800 five-star reviews from clients who trusted a Brazilian guy with a drill, an accent, and a whole lot of care.
We weren’t the biggest company, but we cared deeply. Every home mattered. Because it did.
The Plan Was Simple… But Life Had Other Ideas
The goal was clean: Sell the Boston business and move to Tampa. Start a mirror version of Shades In Place in the Sunshine State.
Spoiler Alert: It did not work like that!
In May of 2023, Ana and I made the move to Florida. Kevin, our trusted installer and all-around rockstar , stayed back in Boston to keep the wheels turning.
I bounced between both cities, trying to keep everything alive. Flights. Tools. Headaches. Hustle.
I tried selling the Boston operation a few times. Close calls. Good talks. Nothing landed. Meanwhile, Tampa was calling.
Building Something New (And Getting Hit With Hurricanes)
We bought a home in South Tampa, and for the first time, it felt like we were settling in again. New roots. New clients. A fresh chapter.
Then Florida greeted us with two hurricanes. Construction halted. Projects paused. The Tampa momentum I was building just… stopped.
It was frustrating. I questioned everything. But slowly, things turned. By February 2025, our home was finally complete, and work in Tampa picked back up.
It was like the clouds lifted (literally and figuratively). And that’s when I knew: It was time to let go of Boston. Time to focus. Time to breathe…
Bittersweet Goodbye
At the end of March, I flew back to Boston for one last time. After two weeks of sorting, donating, and filling up not one but two dumpsters, it was done.
The shelves were empty, and the walls were bare. It was a strange feeling. Quiet. A little sad. But mostly? Gratitude.
For everything that space gave me. For what we built there. For the people who helped make it all happen. Mission accomplished!
What Now?
✅ Kevin is moving to Tampa, and our dream team is reuniting down south.
✅ We’re still handling commercial installation contracts in Boston.
✅ And we’ve partnered with a top-tier associate to support our Boston residential clients with the same care they’ve always had.
But for me? My hands, my heart, and my full attention are right here now—in Florida.
We’re taking on exciting projects across Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, and beyond. Whether it’s motorized shades, custom drapery, or plantation shutters, we’re doing it with purpose – and maybe a little extra sunshine in our step.
Why Blind Audacity?
Because none of this was planned. There were no spreadsheets or a business plan. No fancy pitches. Just gut instinct and a little madness.
Blind Audacity is what this journey has been from the beginning: A leap into the unknown. Guided by instinct, love, and Brazilian craziness. It’s scary. It’s thrilling. And it’s the most rewarding kind of work I’ve ever done.
To Boston: Thank You.
To Tampa: Let’s Do This! Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this wild, beautiful, unpredictable ride.
If you’ve been with me since the Shades In Place early days or you’re just meeting me here in Florida, please know this: I see you. I appreciate you. And I’m just getting started.
If your windows are feeling a little… naked? You know who to call.
Until next month,
Roger – Professional Window Dresser and Retired Snow Shoveler
