Simply Shutters, a company founded in 2017 in Port St. Lucie, Florida, has achieved remarkable growth by focusing on a single product: plantation shutters. By concentrating on this one product, the company has been able to build deep knowledge and expertise, setting it apart from competitors.
The company's founders, Tim McBride and Stephen Bromstrup, drew on their experience from a previous shutter business that failed due to its broad product offerings. They realized that by trying to be like every other company in the industry, they had lost sight of what truly mattered. This lesson informed their approach to Simply Shutters, where they vowed to do things differently.
The founders' goal was to make shutters easier to buy, price, and install. They achieved this by streamlining their product line and focusing on quality, price, and process. This approach allowed them to create a simpler buying path for customers and stronger systems for the business.
A key factor in Simply Shutters' growth was its partnership with a manufacturer in China, which enabled the company to sell directly from the source and reduce costs. This move was crucial in making high-quality plantation shutters more affordable for middle-class homeowners.
As demand for the company's products rose rapidly, Simply Shutters faced challenges in keeping up with orders. However, instead of viewing this as a failure, the team used it as a turning point to rethink their approach and improve their operations.
Simply Shutters has invested heavily in product development, rebuilding its PVC plantation shutters piece by piece. The company has changed every single piece of the shutters, making them stronger, better looking, and more durable. This steady improvement has been a key factor in the company's growth.
Today, Simply Shutters operates several warehouse locations across Florida, has served over 50,000 homes, and installs thousands of shutters each week. The company is also preparing to expand into Texas with its first warehouse there.
The company's success can be attributed to its focus on in-house employees, rather than subcontractors. This approach allows Simply Shutters to control service, training, and accountability, ensuring that quality remains a top priority as the company grows.
The story of Simply Shutters offers valuable lessons for business owners and career builders. By choosing one lane and staying with it, companies can build long-term growth and success. Sometimes, a big idea is simply choosing to do one thing exceptionally well.
