INDUSTRY RISING STAR: Naomi Beckerleg The Blinds Place – Victoria

Naomi Beckerleg had been working in hospitality for five years when she decided she wanted a change and went for this, her first job in the window furnishings industry.

“I honestly didn’t think I would ever get a chance to be in this industry as I had no experience, however I’m now a year and a half in and still learning every day.”

Despite coming from a different industry, a solid track record in customer service experience and some knowledge about computer programs has helped her progress in her current role at The Blinds Place.

The job wasn’t without challenges though. “I was not from Melbourne, I had moved up from Inverloch, a small Victorian coastal town, to further my work experience. But the biggest challenge for me was to learn everything about blinds, shutters, awnings and security products within a short space of time. Also, I had never done any work in an office before and was keen to apply myself and prove what you can actually achieve when you work hard.”

My advice to anyone starting out in the window furnishings industry is to take things slowly, one step at a time. And don’t be afraid to learn from others.

Naomi Beckerleg
The Blinds Place

Naomi has also been able to make her mark on the business in a relatively short space of time. “My role with The Blinds Place is all-rounder so I work in the office and in the warehouse as well. My day to day tasks in the business are multi-faceted as I monitor the warehouse and assist with admin duties, customer relations and in store sales.”

“Among the innovations I have brought to the business, I have increased our level of after sales service. After an install is completed we now follow up with a phone call to ensure the customer is happy with the final result. We also send out review letters, the results of which are posted online via a range of channels including Google Review. I believe building ongoing relationships with customers is really important. Customer relationships are what a successful business is built on.”

“I like coming to work and I always have since I was 17 years old. In terms of this industry, I like helping people with their orders and helping them bring their ideas to life. When they walk through our doors, they always have a vision of what they want before looking at our product ranges. It’s our job to make that vision a reality, while ensuring they pick the right product for the right application and one that best suits their needs.”

One of the most important outcomes of Naomi’s role at The Blinds Place is that it’s given her ambition and a clear path to the future. She is currently undertaking industry-specific qualifications in the form of the new Frontline Certificate III in Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens and Grilles. “I’ve nearly finished the course and it’s given me a good understanding of the really wide range of products in the market and their different functions. This has given me a lot of confidence in explaining their benefits to customers.”

“Looking ahead, I’d like to work up to being a manager one day or even owning my own business. I have always been a hard worker and will always try to achieve the best of my ability.”

Naomi’s confidence and direction inspire her to encourage others starting out in the industry.

“I remember my first day so clearly, as if it was yesterday. If I could go back to that day I would definitely tell myself: ‘I can do this.’ My advice to anyone starting out in the window furnishings industry is to take things slowly, one step at a time. And don’t be afraid to learn from others; just doing the rounds with a team member and listening to them speak to customers, in order to learn how a product works, that can be really useful. It really helped me. Researching products online also helps, as well as reading the manuals cover to cover and even being hands-on with the products yourself. If you are new to this industry, take your time, you will get there. And remember, everyone starts somewhere!”