b'MEMBER MILESTONESskills complemented his own. FromWe have been a WCA member foreliminating the need for hardwiring in a one-person shop, I concentrated onsomewhere around 30 years, saysmany cases.hiring people who are good at things atSiddall. The access WCA has given usBlind Ambitions is looking to continue which I am not. That way I was alwaysto all the commercial projects is whatto be a dominant player in the strengthening our weakest link, hehas allowed us to grow our commercialcommercial market, but we are also explains. That philosophy, along withbusiness. We could not do without it. trying to continue to grow the residential a culture of care, has allowed BlindLOOKING AHEAD side of our business, Siddall says. Ambitions to retain long-term staff. As Blind Ambitions celebrates its 35thWith opportunities to collaborate with Protecting the culture is extremelyanniversary, the company is keeping itshomebuilders, interior designers and important as you grow, Siddall adds.focus on the future. Advances in batteryhome automation companies, the next If I want my staff to really care abouttechnology are allowing larger blinds tochapter looks as bright as the lastthe clients, I had better care about therun on long-life rechargeable batteries,35 years. staff. I try to treat the staff in the manner in which I would like them to treat the customer. That attitude allows me to retain great employees for thelong term.TECHNOLOGY AND EFFICIENCYAs the window covering industry has evolved, motorization and smart controls have become a defining trendespecially in the commercial sector. For Blind Ambitions, this shift demanded constant training and adaptation.Motorization has forced us to develop our expertise. You can no longer consider yourself qualified to sell window coverings just because you have a sense of style or a flair with colour, Siddall says. The products and operating systems have become very complex, so continual training is a must. In commercial buildings, the window coverings often need to integrate with the other building control systems. Like most technology, there are changes and advancements coming all the time.The innovations include the important role window coverings play inenergy efficiency.Even though windows themselves have come a long way in terms of energy efficiency, they are still the part of the building that allows the most heat in summer and the most cold in winter, Siddall explains. Window coverings can make the biggest difference through the use of specific products and fabrics that are designed for energy efficiency.From layered coverings to fabrics with heat-reflective properties, Blind Ambitions offers clients solutions that improve both comfort and sustainability.That drive to stay ahead of the curve has also fueled the companys growth within the Manitoba construction industry, supported by its strong partnership with the Winnipeg Construction Association. Issue 3 | Fall Edition | 2025 BUILD MANITOBA 19'