Professional Documents
Culture Documents
October, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This study aims to identify the current business situation and status of a small-
scale business, “Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds” regarding their sales, customer
feedback, marketing strategy, employees and manpower, profitability, and sustainability.
Moreover, the researchers also wanted to determine what recommendations and
measures can be done to improve the operations of the business. The participant in this
study was the owner of a small-scale business. The research methodology involves a
qualitative approach, in which a semi-structured interview was done to gather data.
Furthermore, the researchers were also given numerical data in terms of the sales and
profit of the business to have an in-depth understanding of the current situation of the
business. The data gathered from the interview was analyzed using a combination of
content and thematic analysis. The data given by the owners were analyzed using
descriptive analysis. Through thorough examination, it was found that the average sales
of the business per month is 32.5 sets, where 20 sets are the lowest number of blinds
sold while the highest is 50 sets. Furthermore, the business received a 95% rating from
the customers and although there were some bad reviews, none of them were pertaining
to the operation of the business itself. The business also utilizes a combination of word-
of-mouth marketing and social media marketing. In terms of employees and manpower,
there is only one employee in the business and that is the owner himself. Additionally, the
business has an average net profit of PhP 10,833.33 per month, with the lowest net profit
of PhP 10,000 and the highest of PhP 15,000. Lastly, it was determined that the business
considers their customers their top priority hence making customer satisfaction their key
to sustainability. After the conduct of this research, the researchers suggest that the
business becomes more engaging and active in social media, widen its target market,
and hire more employees. Thus, the findings of this study will contribute to the business
itself, and existing literature on entrepreneurship, and provide useful information to start-
up and small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs.
INTRODUCTION
Window blinds are gaining popularity due to their aesthetic appeal and security to
the occupants of the residence. Window blinds are "hard" window coverings made of slats
or vanes that can be drawn across a window to stack lengthwise to the side or that fall
down the blind as it is lowered (Walters, 2020). Furthermore, Kay (2022) states that more
people are taking an interest in having window blinds installed in their houses because it
allows them to control their privacy, control the light that can get in their house, regulate
temperature, and make the house look fancy. Hence, due to the demand for said
products, more people are venturing into the industry of window blinds.
It is important to be updated with business data and status so that it keeps pace
with all of the changes going around the market. It also helps in identifying and addressing
risks in the business that may lead to detrimental effects on the company, and to further
improve their operations to better cater to their clients. These are also helpful in creating
and updating business plans that help the company evolve. (Bottrell, n.d.)
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The business “Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds” has been operating for more
than 3 years. It is a second branch of “Lorobe Decor and Window Blinds” which is located
in Cavite, while “Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds” is located in Abuyog, Leyte. The
business offers high-quality blinds (otherwise referred to as “shades”) made of fabric that
can either be rolled up (on a tube; Roller shades), folded up (Roman shades), or pushed
up in accordion style (Pleated and Cellular shades). Many fabrics are used including
blackout fabric, polyester, vinyl, synthetic, and voile. The product's cost depends on the
length and style of the client's window and what kind of fabric they want to use. The owner
of the business is the one who visits the house to measure the windows and to discuss
the costs and the days it will take to wait for the blinds to be delivered. Additionally, they
will be the ones to install the delivered blinds on the clients' windows or homes as part of
their business.
The business adheres to its motto “Discover the difference with Stephanie Decor
and Window Blinds, where your home's beauty and comfort are at the heart of everything
they do.” Furthermore, customer satisfaction is the company's primary focus. They will
respond to any malfunctions or minor problems with the product and assist the users in
fixing it. Assisting clients in selecting the ideal components to improve their living area is
the business's passion.
High-quality window treatment has a high rising demand on the market and the
reasons are, decorations for windows and the inside of a house can make a room look
nicer by adding colorful things, different textures, and pretty patterns. They can also make
a room feel a certain way, like making a living room feel comfortable and friendly or
making a kitchen look cool and modern (Maria, 2018). And lastly, during hot weather,
when the sun is shining, around 76% of the sunlight that comes through regular windows
turns into heat. Window coverings can help stop this heat from coming in, which makes
us feel more comfortable, keeps the temperature inside our homes in control, and reduces
the amount of money we spend on energy (Energy Efficient Window Coverings, n.d.).
“Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds” was chosen by the researchers because of
its seasonal nature. Hence, the goal of this study is to interpret and analyze the business
data of the company to determine whether they are doing good or bad. The researchers
will conduct the study to identify possible pain points of the company and offer solutions
and recommendations that can be used to improve the business.
Moreover, many parties will be significantly impacted by this study. Initially, this
study will offer clear business benefits to entrepreneurs, acting as a helpful resource for
identifying workable solutions to their problems. In addition, the study will benefit
customers who will be informed of the current business situation of the company and
whether they should inquire about them. Also, potential investors will benefit from this
research since it gives critical insights that will help them make good business decisions.
Finally, future researchers could also find this study helpful since it provides data that is
crucial to the industry. In conclusion, this study will benefit business owners, customers,
potential investors, and future researchers.
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PROBLEM STATEMENT
With the prevalence of businesses in the window blinds industry, it is getting harder
for smaller businesses to stay ahead of other competitors. Thus, marking the importance
of keeping updated with the business data and current status of the business. In this
study, the researchers aim to answer the following questions:
METHODOLOGY
The study utilized the qualitative approach in research, more specifically a case
study, to further explore the aspects of the business. Qualitative research is research
using methods such as participant observation or case studies which result in a narrative,
descriptive account of a setting or practice (Qualitative Research, n.d.). Furthermore,
case study research consists of a detailed investigation, often will empirical material
collected over time from a well-defined case to analyze the context and processes
involved in the phenomenon (Rashid et al., 2019). The researchers used the case study
as a research design because it provides a comprehensive view of the phenomenon
being studied. The case study approach allowed the researchers to collect data about a
particular person or group.
Moreover, the study applied the use of interviews to collect data from the
respondents. Aside from that, the researchers also gathered data from the owners of the
business pertaining to their sales and profit. For the data analysis, a combination of
thematic and content analysis was used to further examine the data that was extracted
from the interview. Using content analysis, researchers can ascertain whether specific
terms, themes, or ideas are present in a particular set of qualitative data (Content
Analysis, 2023). The text must be coded, or divided into digestible code categories for
analysis (also known as "codes") to be analyzed using content analysis. To further
summarize the data, the codes can be further classified into "code categories" after the
text has been coded into code categories. Based on an article by Villegas (2023), a
method for analyzing qualitative data called thematic analysis is going through a set of
data and searching for patterns in the meaning of the data to identify themes. There are
various approaches to conducting thematic analysis, but the most common form follows
a six-step process: familiarization, coding, generating themes, reviewing themes, defining
and naming themes, and writing up. The researchers carefully examined the data to
determine the recurring themes that can be used as viable and relevant information to the
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study. Lastly, descriptive analysis was done to describe and interpret the business data
given by the owner. Descriptive analysis is a type of data research that uses both recent
and historical data to identify patterns and links, helping to describe, illustrate, or helpfully
summarize data points so those patterns may develop that satisfy all of the conditions of
the data (Villegas, 2023).
The study aims to identify and examine the current business situation of the
company to determine whether the business is doing good or bad. Moreover, it aims to
create recommendations in aspects wherein the business lacks to improve its operations.
After a thorough examination of the data from the interview and what was given by the
owner, the following was discovered:
Sales
In May, Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds started this period with sales of 30
sets of window blinds. In June, the company was also able to sell 30 sets of window
blinds. However, in July only 20 sets were sold, but they were able to recover in August,
with 25 sets sold. This could be the result of ongoing marketing efforts and the continued
popularity of their window blinds among customers.
In September, sales reached a high point of 40 sets sold. New product offerings
and promotions could have contributed to this boost in sales. In October, the business
reached a higher point of 50 sets of window blinds. This could be the result of enhancing
their marketing strategies and advertising campaigns. It is a way for businesses to
increase their product or service visibility to draw in more potential clients. Furthermore,
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improving their product quality or innovation, and word-of-mouth recommendations can
be the reason why they reached that kind of sales.
Having this kind of business has a lot of risks because this business is seasonal
and pricey, many clients do not continue to purchase the products after knowing how
much the installation of window blinds costs. The industry can be influenced by different
factors like changing design trends, economic conditions, and seasonal demand. When
things are going well, the business can thrive with more sales and customers looking for
new and trendy blind options. However, there may be times when the market slows down,
competition gets tougher, or external factors affect customer spending. Successful
window-blind businesses handle these fluctuations by offering a variety of products and
services, building strong customer relationships, and being flexible enough to adjust their
strategies when necessary.
Customer Feedback
According to the data extracted from the interview, the owners have stated that
they have not received any bad reviews so far. The business garnered an approximate
95% rating over the past six months, which means that most people do not have a bad
experience with the business. Customers have stated that the fabric used is high quality
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and that the blinds are effective because the light from outside of the house does not
penetrate through the blinds. Furthermore, the customers have expressed that installing
the blinds lessened their stress because they no longer have to wash curtains, and the
blinds can be cleaned using only a feather duster. Even with issues, the customers
choose to approach the business for their blinds to be fixed, which the company acts on
immediately.
Overall, the company has a very high rating when it comes to customer feedback
and satisfaction. Despite the few negative comments, it does not affect the business
greatly. The negative comments are only about the prices of the blinds. Businesses have
a target market where these customers can afford the services being offered. Some
people who want to acquire the services do not fit into the target market, therefore leaving
a negative remark on the business. But aside from that, it does not greatly impact the
business. If the business maintains this positive feedback and customer satisfaction, it
can continue to flourish and expand the business.
Marketing Strategy
“Mayda kami Facebook page, didto kami nagppost han am mga service tapos
ginpapaboost nam like an ginbabaydan para bagan mag-appear siya sa more nga tawo.
Also, if may ginkakadtuan kami nga balay, ginssales talk nam, labi na if family friend.
Nakakahelp gihap an am dati na clients kay ira kami ginrerefer sa iba.
(“We have a Facebook page where we post our services and we pay to get our posts
boosted so that it would appear to more people. Also, if we visit the houses of our family
friends, we ‘sales talk’ them, then old clients also help because they refer us to others.”)
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Based on the data extracted from the interview, the owners have stated that in
terms of social media marketing, they pay Facebook to boost their page in order to have
a wider reach of audience. In terms of word-of-mouth marketing, whenever the owners
visit family or friends, they encourage them to acquire their services, informing them of
the good quality materials that are being used and the benefits of these blinds. Moreover,
past clients also refer the business to their family and friends which helps the business
become known in their area.
Overall, the implementation of both strategies has impacted the business greatly,
especially since the business is relatively new compared to other companies. The
implementation of these marketing strategies helped the business become known and
garner more clients for the business. However, there are a few lapses in the
implementation, such as becoming inactive on social media and becoming less engaging,
resulting in the page not getting recognition as well as before. If the business becomes
active in social media, it can expand its reach further and get more clients.
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Employees and Manpower
“Wala man kami ginhahire kay ako la talaga it nakadto sit house ngan nataod pero if
damo ngani it ginoorder tapos diri kaya nga usa la, na-hire nala ako hin iba.”
(“We don’t hire anybody, I am the only person who goes to the houses and installs the
window blonds, however, if the customer orders a lot and I cannot do it by myself, I hire
other people to help me.”)
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Profitability
Figure 3. Profit of Stephanie Décor and Window Blinds in May to October 2023
Over the period of six months, from the month of May to the month of October,
Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds' income varied. As shown in the given graph, the
monthly income in May and June was stable at ₱30,000, and the monthly expenses were
constantly at ₱20,000. This meant that each of these months had a net profit of ₱10,000.
A minor drop in income to ₱20,000 was observed in July and August, while expenses
stayed at ₱10,000. This equated to a monthly net profit of ₱10,000. However, the
business saw a spike in income in September, totaling ₱40,000, compared to ₱30,000 in
expenses. This resulted in a higher net profit of ₱10,000. The business's income peaked
in October at ₱50,000, but expenses increased up to ₱35,000 as well, leaving a ₱15,000
net profit.
The company has a high net profit margin, which means that the company is able
to effectively control its costs and/or provide goods or services at a price significantly
higher than its costs. Therefore, a high ratio can result from efficient management, low
costs (expenses), and strong pricing strategies. The business maintains a net profit of
PhP 10, 833.33 per month, and has a 33.33% net margin which is considered high or
good.
Overall, the business displayed fluctuations in profitability over these six months,
with the highest profit of ₱15,000 occurring in October and the lowest profit of ₱10,000 in
May, June, July, and August. For those six months, it is stated in the graph that the
business’ income is higher than its expenses. These financial variations may be indicative
of seasonal trends or changing market conditions.
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Sustainability
“We prioritize our customers talaga. Our business functions because we have
customers and we listen to what they want. Gusto nam nga after they acquire our
services and products kay satisfied hira. Siguro asya nagsustain an amon business.”
(“We prioritize our customers.Our business functions because we have customers and
we listen to what they want. We want our customers to be satisfied after acquiring our
services and products. I think that is why our business is sustained.”)
“Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds” has been around since the beginning of the
pandemic. A lot of businesses have shut down due to a lack of customers and funds
brought on by the pandemic. However, despite those challenges, the business is still
thriving. This is because the business prioritizes the satisfaction of the customers. The
owner has stated that they believe that customers are their number one priority and what
they need and want will come first. Whenever customers come to the business to inquire
about their window blinds, they take their time in listening to what the customer is looking
for and what he would like and dislike in choosing the right window blinds for them. Also,
whenever their customers encounter problems with their products, the business does not
hesitate to act upon the problem immediately so that the customers stay happy.
With a lot of competition, it is hard for smaller businesses to stay afloat because
there will always be bigger and better companies that offer the same services. However,
with “Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds,” they make their customers their top priority,
hence catching customer loyalty and helping the business survive and grow even more.
Loyal customers stay around longer. Accommodating the needs of the customers has
been shown to keep customer retention high and strong customer loyalty. Ultimately,
customer loyalty is important for business as it helps in generating profits and growth.
(Pecb, n.d.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
With the information provided by the business owner and comments by the
customers, it was determined that 95% of feedback towards the business is good.
However, the business also receives bad reviews but it is only towards the prices of the
blinds and not about the operations of the business. In terms of the marketing strategy
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being used by the business, they apply a combination of word-of-mouth marketing and
social media marketing which goes hand-in-hand in reaching a larger audience for more
people to become interested in their products. The business has a Facebook page with
505 followers and 497 likes, and they also talk and promote their business to their friends.
In terms of employees, the owner himself is the one handling the installation of the window
blinds, but he also stated that if the work is too much for him, he hires people to help him
install the blinds.
In relation to the profit of the business, the business had a uniform net profit of
PhP 10,000 for the months of May to September, which is also the lowest net profit that
the business earned. The highest net profit that the business earned was during the
month of October with PhP 15,000. The average net profit that the company earns based
on the data for the past six months is PhP 10,833.33 per month. Lastly, the business is
able to survive and sustain its operations due to customer satisfaction. The owner has
stated that they value and prioritize their customers because they believe that customers
are the ones who keep a business alive, that is why they treat their customers with utmost
care.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of this study was to identify the business data relevant to the current
situation of the business “Stephanie Decor and Window Blinds” in order to keep the
business owner updated about how the business is doing as a whole. Furthermore, the
goal of this study is to provide suggestions and recommendations that the researchers
noticed that the business may lack so that it can continue to improve and sustain its
operations.
Based on the data extracted from the interview and numerical data given by the
business owner, the average sales in the business per month is 32.5 sets, where the
lowest number of blinds sold is 20 and the highest is 50. Moreover, the business received
a 95% rating from customers. It also uses word-of-mouth marketing and social media
marketing to reach a wider audience. In addition, the owner is the sole employee of the
business, however, whenever there is a lack of manpower, he hires two to three
temporary employees. In terms of profit, the business has an average of PhP 10,833.33
per month, with the lowest net profit of PhP 10,000 and the highest of PhP 15,000. Lastly,
it was found that the key to the sustainability of the company was customer satisfaction
because the business prioritizes its customers.
In conclusion, the researchers determined that the business data of the company
is stable and is a sign that the business is doing well. The sales of the business never
became zero hence there was never a month that the business became stagnant.
Furthermore, there was also no instance when the net profit of the business became zero
or negative because they always had at least PhP 10,000 in profit. Business is slow in
some months because of the weather and temperature; however, the business is never
truly down. However, despite the good flow of operations in the business, they still need
to improve their social media presence. Being on social media and having a page is not
enough to catch the attention of viewers, they must always be actively engaging too.
Lastly, customers might get discouraged once they find out that only one worker will be
working on the installation of their window blinds, hence slowing the installation process.
The researchers suggest that the business should hire more people.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the findings of the study, the researchers recommend the following
measures or recommendations to improve its operations. First, “Stephanie Décor and
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Window Blinds” should become more active and engaging in their social media accounts.
They only post once every two weeks, hence weakening their reach to a wider audience.
Being active in social media will help people realize that the business exists and
encourage them to try their services and products. Furthermore, the business should also
expand to other social media platforms aside from Facebook. People are now all-over
social media and there are a lot more platforms that the business can promote on such
as Instagram and TikTok. This will help the company reach more people, and promote
their quality products and services as well. This would also help because more people
are leaning into the use of Instagram and Tiktok, instead of just Facebook. Lastly, the
business should not just focus on Abuyog, Leyte. Not all people will be able to afford the
window blinds sold by the company due to their pricy nature, hence expanding to other
municipalities and provinces would be a big step for the company because they would
also be recognized in other places. Thus, also getting new clients and having bigger
sales.
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