If you are new here or have been wondering how Austintatious Blinds and Shutters got its start, it’s time to introduce you to Tracey, one of our Founders! Austintatious Blinds & Shutters was born over 20 years ago. Norma Catano and Tracey Hopkins are the proud owners and parents of the Austintatious family. Their goal, then and now, is to commit to our clients to deliver the best window coverings, service, and experience.
Tracey oversees the company and focuses on admin, management, and sales. She spends her days ensuring the continued growth and success of Austintatious Blinds and Shutters. Learn more about our Founder:
What inspired you to start Austintatious?
My parents! They actually had a blind and shutter business at Possum Kingdom Lake (outside of Dallas). It seemed like the perfect business to get out of the ‘corporate rat race’ and to do something fun and exciting, like making homes beautiful and then ultimately to connect with people. So my partner, Norma Catano, and I started Austintatious over 20 years ago and haven’t looked back. It’s been an amazing business, and we are fortunate to have such an incredible staff and clientele.
What’s your best advice for someone who wants to start their own business?
You need to either have or develop ‘thick skin.’ Get ready for the customer always being right whether they are or not. Be ready to work harder than you ever have before. Take constructive criticism seriously and make changes immediately when you see issues. Customers and employees are often your ‘guide’ on how you are steering your ship… so check your ego at the door and listen. And the best advice of all that I received from a very successful friend/colleague/entrepreneur years ago:” As a business owner, never forget that your number ONE asset is people. Your employees, your clients, and your relationships ARE the business.”
What would you like clients to know about Austintatious?
We have the most incredible staff that you could ever work with! Our entire group is extremely proficient at what they do and very professional….AND such fun personalities as well. We are a very unique group and truly are AUSTINTATIOUS!
What are your top goals for Austintatious in 2024?
We have expanded our showroom to showcase our drapery offerings. We have offered drapery for well over 10 years, but we have never really ‘advertised’ or showcased these offerings. So, we are excited to allow prospective clients to come in and browse and let us come up with new and inspiring options that can transform your existing space.
What is your favorite product, and why?
The Hunter Douglas Pirouette has always been my favorite product; I love the look it provides when it is closed – it mimics the look of a Roman shade. But my favorite feature is that you can actually ‘open’ each fold of fabric, so it allows you to view through and see outside through its sheer fabric. It’s an amazing product and provides the ultimate functionality and beauty.
And a little sneak peek into a brand-new product that may become our new favorite product….Aura Illuminated Shades by Hunter Douglas. This new product actually has beautiful styles of shades with built-in illumination. It’s pretty fantastic! We can’t wait to get ours installed in our Hunter Douglas Gallery!
What is your favorite part of your workday?
Definitely, walking in the door first thing in the morning. I love everyone I work with. It’s like coming home. And then there’s our little showroom mascot, Bleu (3-year-old Shitzu), who runs up and greets me as soon as he hears that door open. You can’t beat that! Then I would say my close second favorite is every time I get to work with and speak with a client or potential client. I love meeting and connecting with others.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I love working on the yard, in the garden…really anytime I can connect with nature and/or earth elements is when I truly relax and decompress. Oh, and definitely playing with our dogs, Lola and Deia 🙂
What is your favorite thing about being in/near Austin?
I love the people, the vibe, the music, the hills, the lakes…I truly love it all. I am definitely in love with Austin and the surrounding hill county.
Where’s your favorite place to eat in Austin?
Wow, that is a tough one. I feel like I have a new favorite restaurant every time I eat at a new restaurant. We have such great food in Austin! So, I will have to go with the Austin staple, always good tex-mex, great Mexican martinis, awesome patio, and a true Austin icon – Matt’s El Rancho.