July 16, 2025 • 15 mins
Tracie Lambert, the self-described "chaos coordinator" for Bumble Bee Blinds in Oklahoma, brings infectious energy and design expertise to this conversation about building a trusted, woman-owned business in the window treatment industry.
The story begins with founder Monica Hope's post-COVID epiphany that corporate America no longer aligned with her values and vision. Seeking to build a legacy for her children and make a meaningful difference in her community, Monica and her family launched Bumble Bee Blinds after receiving what Tracy calls a "God wink" – opening her calendar on National Bee Day while deciding between business opportunities.
What distinguishes Bumble Bee in a competitive market is their servant-hearted approach and deep local accountability. "We're going to see you at ball games, at the grocery store, at the bookstore," Tracie explains, highlighting how their community presence creates natural accountability. This commitment to quality and service has earned them an A rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Tracy's passion truly shines when describing her mobile showroom – a vibrant yellow van affectionately named "Bee-Gee" that brings the full window treatment experience directly to clients' homes. With a background in interior design, she follows two simple but powerful rules: "functionality first" and "I don't sell ugly." This approach empowers homeowners to make confident decisions about products that significantly impact their living spaces.
From traditional blinds to the resurgence of modern drapes, from residential spaces to commercial properties and outdoor patios, Bumble Bee Blinds continues expanding throughout Oklahoma.
Visit Bumble Bee Blinds on social media or schedule your free consultation today to experience their unique, personalized approach.
https://www.bbb.org/us/ok/oklahoma-city/profile/blinds/bumble-bee-blinds-of-norman-0995-90123306
https://www.facebook.com/bumblebeeblinds.norman
Follow BBB Serving Central Oklahoma on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn @BBBCentralOK
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And welcome back to the Build With BBB podcast.
I'm your host, Kasey, Farmerwith Better Business Bureau
serving Central Oklahoma.
Today we have a very specialguest.
We have Tracy Lambert, who isthe chaos coordinator for Bumble
Bee Farm in Oklahoma City.
They do some fantastic work.
They are a BBB accreditedbusiness and strong community
partner.
You will often see them bumpingaround at different trade shows
(00:22):
and different things.
So welcome, Tracy, to thepodcast.
We are so glad to have you.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Thanks for having me, casey, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Yeah, so I love to start off with just about the
easiest question Tell me aboutthe origin story of Bump Week
Live.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
It is an amazing story.
My boss, monica Hope, is anincredible woman who has a
background in corporate Americaand she, like many post-COVID,
had enough.
It kind of changed for her inpriorities and we'll just say a
wake-up call.
It wasn't that she didn't enjoyher role, but long hours kind
(00:57):
of the same song and dance andthen, really kind of looking at
life through a different scope,she decided she wanted more.
So she took the time with beingat home with COVID and doing
more remote work because thingswere pretty much shut down.
She was fortunate to keep herjob, but really just looking at
life differently, and her andher husband came together
(01:20):
alongside her mother-in-law andthey decided they wanted to
build a legacy for her children,give back to the community and
really do something that made adifference in their lives and
the lives of others.
And that's where they decidedto embark on Bumblebee.
So they went to a show that wascalled Discovery Day and got
(01:41):
the information on Bumblebee andshe was on the fence about it.
It was between bumblebee andanother company and she opened
up a calendar one day and it wasNational Bee Day and she really
took that as a God wink anddecided on that day that that
was the sign she needed, andsince then there's been no
looking back.
And then they found me, whichwas also a God wink.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Yeah, and we chatted about this just before and I
think we'll talk about it alittle bit later in the episode,
but I think an easy place totake it from there is what makes
Bumblebee Blinds different fromother window treatment
companies.
I think the heart of thebusiness.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
The motivation is a servant's heart.
When Monica interviewed me, ofcourse you know there's always
the question why do you want towork here?
I really do have a servant'sheart.
When Monica interviewed me, ofcourse you know there's always
the question why do you want towork here?
I really do have a servant'sheart.
I'm very people-oriented and Ido believe home is our safe
haven.
And yes, we are talking aboutwindow treatments, but window
treatments play a very importantrole in our home.
(02:39):
They block light, they help ourbabies sleep, they block it
when we're watching our ballgames and they definitely dress
up the space and can elevate thehome as well.
So we're spending a lot ofmoney and a lot of hours at work
.
So when you come home, you wantto enjoy your space and I like
to empower people in thatprocess.
And for Monica and Terry that'sher husband, who is also an
(03:02):
owner, and our head installer Ibelieve that what separates us
is we're saturated in thecommunity, we're a local
business and we're veryaccountable.
When we hang those blinds ordrapes or Romans or shutters, we
do it with such care and suchaccountability.
We're going to see you at ballgames.
We're going to see you at thegrocery store, we're going to
(03:24):
see you at the bookstore and weknow that and that's in each one
of us, that accountability andthat just need to do the right
thing, and I think thatseparates us.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
And you touched on one of BBB's core values, at
least here locally in our office, beyond our standards for trust
is accountability, and aligningyour business with trust and
ethical business practices isclearly important.
You guys have an A rating andhave been doing some great
things here locally.
Tell me why that's at thecenter of how you operate.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
I think, because A lot of times when you launch a
business, you're kind of justdoing it on the wings of faith.
You really can have all thetools, you can be equipped with
all the knowledge, but at theend of the day it's really how
you show up and how you growfrom your mistakes and you're
going to make mistakes in anybusiness.
(04:14):
But when you're, you know soleproprietors and entrepreneur
spirit and, like for Monica,coming from a very regulated
corporate world, unlike me whohas very entrepreneur spirit
it's kind of that merge ofpersonalities that helps us to
come together and understand theprocess of a new business.
And through making thosemistakes you do see the
(04:36):
accountability to the customerclient.
You do see, you know what thatreally did go south, we really
mismeasured that.
But we will do everything tomake it right.
And we know how disappointedyou might be that it didn't come
in when you wanted it to comein or you know it didn't fit as
snug as we would like it.
But we're going to make itright and we're going to
(04:58):
expedite this and we're going toget it done.
But we're going to make itright and we're going to
expedite this and we're going toget it done and you're going to
love it.
So it's not the panic or thedeflection and I think so much
nowadays sometimes smallbusinesses get a bad rap and
being part of the BBB and thenhaving that accountability as
Bumblebee and partnership withBBB, I think that we just drive
(05:21):
that home we just stay true toourselves and go to bed at night
knowing that we've done theright thing.
Wonderful.
Can you see it in the work thatyou do?
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Let's talk about your offerings because it's a wide
range, and how you customize foreach client that you might
contract with.
Tell me about that.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Well, one of the things that definitely separates
us.
People will call and say well,can I come to your showroom?
Well, I am the showroom I drivea big yellow bus is what I call
it.
It's not really a bus, it's avan, smothered and covered in
bumblebees and we have given itthe name Bee Gee.
It was kind of a thing where weall named our vans and we came
(06:00):
up with that name for tworeasons.
And we're staying alive.
And then you know that song wasmade by the Bee Gees, so it was
just a fun name.
And you know, in new businessyou're trying to stay alive,
right?
You're trying to survive thedance of growing and getting
your name out there.
And so I drive that and insideof it is every kind of sample,
every kind of lookbook see it,touch it, feel it, and then even
(06:23):
examples of the actual product.
So what I do is I never bringall that in, I just bring myself
and my iPad and we just startwith a conversation because it's
very overwhelming and I've beenin the business long enough to
recognize how overwhelming theinvestment is and people don't
know until they know and you canthrow out names like a Roman or
(06:45):
a roller or a cellular or solarroller, and that means nothing
to them.
Nothing to them.
So I have two rules when I gointo the home, and those two
rules are functionality first.
If it doesn't fit the needs andthe desire of the customer, I
didn't do my job.
And then the second one is Idon't sell ugly.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yeah, you have a design background.
Yes, let's talk a little bitabout that.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Yeah.
So I moved back to Oklahomawhen I was 24.
I am an Oklahoma native andwent to school in Kentucky.
I am an Oklahoma native andwent to school in Kentucky and I
enjoy again having thatservant's heart, really helping
people feel confident andempowered in the choices they
make for their home, whateverthat is.
I've worked in granite andmarble and tile.
I've been my own soleproprietor.
(07:33):
I ran my own business and didstaging and one-day makeovers.
I still talk to some of thoseformer clients.
Some of them have purchasedBumblebee Blinds.
So I love helping people feelgood in the space that they live
in and that folds intoeverything I do.
Every single day I have peoplesay are you really happy doing
(07:54):
that?
That's so far from what you did.
Well, most of us, if you havethat conversation, most of us
are far away from what wethought we might be doing.
So I feel like I found my roleand I bring that into the home
with me.
When they get stuck on thevisual, when they don't really
understand the look, sometimesI'll take a swatch and put it on
the floor just to show them thecohesiveness and how that blind
(08:18):
even though it's just maybe asimple roller how that will pull
the space together, much like arug.
Because what people don'trealize, pardon me, is that on a
big window or even just astandard window, when you pull
it down, you're getting a lensof a big piece of fabric.
So it is a commitment.
It is a commitment If you gowith a print on a Roman shade.
(08:40):
That's basically like a drapein a smaller footprint on your
window.
That's kind of what a Roman is.
So it's really making themunderstand the commitment that
they're making when they choosethat print or that pattern, and
that's design.
So it's a great experience.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Yeah, I love that and I think so helpful for a lot of
us who don't deal with thisevery day.
We know how to decorate ourhomes to the taste that we like,
and maybe we don't have adesign background, but bringing
in somebody who has the tastefor how to really pull it
together can be so helpful.
Yeah, Making your home feelhomier.
It's so much fun, yeah.
Okay, let's talk aboutBumblebee Blinds and being a
(09:24):
woman-owned business.
How have you put thatinformation out?
Just to let people know likewe're a proud woman-owned
business.
This is how we partner withother organizations in the
community.
Here's how we lead.
Talk to me a little bit aboutthat.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
We just stay very proud and excited and
enthusiastic and recognize thatwomen have a voice and we have a
place.
And I've always said peoplewill say to me and they've had
for years, you know, I'm all a5'2 on a good day They've said,
oh, honey, you can't move thator you need help with that.
You know.
And I say I'm strong and mighty.
(09:54):
And you know, little and mightyactually, and I think it's the
mentality of what you show upwith.
Your empowerment is yourempowerment, no matter what size
you are, no matter whatdirection you're going.
You have to believe in yourselfand not let the world tell you
differently.
Monica has been an inspirationfor me because she took a giant,
(10:15):
giant leap, leaving a verycomfortable world that she was
in 20 plus years herself andthere's such stability in doing
the same thing in a corporateumbrella and there's no wrong in
that, there wasn't any wrong inthat, and if that's what gives
you joy and gives you peace inyour life, then keep keeping on.
But for her she was cravingthat change and it came in a
(10:38):
season for all of us that it wasso unknown, and so she took a
hold of that and looked at herlife and said I want more.
And now here we are and she'sgetting more and doing more and
surprising herself every day asa woman owned business.
And so to your point.
I think it's just thatbelieving in yourself, first
trusting your instincts and notletting one tell you you're too
(11:01):
small or shrinking your lifeJust keep keeping on and know
that you can do it.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
I love that.
I love the surprising yourselfevery day.
What a great way to bring thatto your business.
Just try it, because how wouldshe have known that she could
have built this amazing businessunless she just gave it a shot
Right on?
If somebody was listening todayand they were interested in
learning more, what kind ofideal client should come to
Bumblebee Blinds Like who isyour ideal client that might
(11:28):
need help with?
Or do you do commercial or youonly do residential?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
We do it all.
We are certified in outdoorscreens.
I'm very excited we're doingone for a gentleman in Norman.
He has a huge graduation partyfor his daughter on Saturday and
I met with him and he was alittle anticipatory because it
is a big deal.
You know, kids work really hardand parents alongside of them
(11:53):
and that's just a bigcelebration.
He has a lovely, lovely patioand it was very large and we are
certified in those screens.
And when you're dealing withmotorization, dialing it back
about 10 years, we've met thoseclients.
They've had bad experiences.
You know the motors burn out,they don't know the warranty,
they weren't given theinformation and they need to
(12:15):
feel empowered again in thatdecision.
So we're installing that forhim tomorrow, just in time for
his graduation party.
So, to your point, we docommercial, we do residential
and then we do outdoor as well.
And when I mean outdoor, we'vedone, you know, big pergolas,
outdoor kitchens, things likethat.
So that can encompass a lot ofthings.
It can encompass bar spaces orjust someone's backyard.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
So it sounds like maybe a phone call is the first
place to start.
Just reach out to see if youguys can fill the need because
you offer so much.
Yes, we do.
Okay, cool, what trends are youseeing in the blind?
Speaker 2 (12:48):
industry I would say the biggest is drapes are back.
Drapes are back and just innormal fashion.
Just, you know.
Full circle.
Full circle, you know.
But it's always different.
I remember my daughter sayingsomething when the neon showed
up in the stores.
You know, daughter sayingsomething when the neon showed
up in the stores, you know.
And I said oh honey, I've beenthere, done that, she goes.
Yeah, mom, but 2000 was a reset, so that was in her brain.
(13:09):
You know meaning that what'sold is new again, right, but
it's always different.
And so people that have haddrapes they might envision like
these, you know, heavy gone,with the wind, tassels, old
world hanging out.
And that's not the dance,unless you want it to be, you
(13:32):
know we can get you there in amore modern way.
I always tell people you needto do what gives you peace.
I leave my aesthetic in the car.
I never push my look ontoanyone.
They have to live with theirchoices.
It's all about empowering themand getting them to feel good
about what they've done.
And drapes take a lot of work toget it right.
So it's a process, but it's agreat win.
It elevates the space.
Something as simple as raisingthe rod higher, can draw your
(13:56):
eye up, make your room looklarger, make things look more
elevated in the space, canreally dress things up, like if
you still have a dining room offthe kitchen, an actual dining
room, which that's kind ofcoming back in the build, not as
many opens.
You know, people are startingto see more walls coming back
and floor plans, so things likethat drapes, I would say.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Big plans?
Does Bumblebee happen for thenext few years?
Anything you want to tease toour listeners today?
Speaker 2 (14:22):
I would say we are growing and just going forward
and we cover so much of Oklahoma.
We're doing things even inTulsa, so we are just on fire to
be a part of the community.
We're looking forward to doingsome community events, possibly
this summer, and we're doing acontest right now on Facebook.
It's kind of like an iSpy Ifyou can name the location of
(14:44):
where I'm at, I take a pictureof the BG.
And if you can name where I'mat the first five that are
correct, I'll announce them onFriday, I post it on Monday and
we send you a treat.
It's just a treat in the mail,yeah, super.
So just engagements like that.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Where can people connect to Bumblebee Blinds if
they've got questions after theylisten to this?
Speaker 2 (15:02):
episode.
We're on Instagram, we're onFacebook, but directly it would
just be calling.
I would say call the office.
Our consultations are alwaysfree.
We always provide you a free,full consultations and they are
in fact a consultation.
I go over all the choices withyou and that's what we would
start with Just a phone call andfree consultations.
If you want to actually look atsome of our work, I would say,
(15:25):
go to Bumblebee Blinds of Normanand check us out.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
For anyone who is listening today that wants to
connect with Bumblebee Blinds orTracy, you can find all of the
information down in the shownotes.
Make sure to give BumblebeeBlinds Norman a follow on all of
their social media channels.
Check them out on bbborg and ifyou've got questions about
today's episode or want to leavea comment down below, let us
know and we will connect you toBumblebee Blinds.
(15:51):
Thanks so much for listeningand we will see you in the next
episode.
Bye, friends.
And welcome back to the Build With BBB podcast.
I'm your host, Kasey, Farmerwith Better Business Bureau
serving Central Oklahoma.
Today we have a very specialguest.
We have Tracy Lambert, who isthe chaos coordinator for Bumble
Bee Farm in Oklahoma City.
They do some fantastic work.
They are a BBB accreditedbusiness and strong community
partner.
You will often see them bumpingaround at different trade shows
(00:22):
and different things.
So welcome, Tracy, to thepodcast.
We are so glad to have you.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Thanks for having me, casey, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Yeah, so I love to start off with just about the
easiest question Tell me aboutthe origin story of Bump Week
Live.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
It is an amazing story.
My boss, monica Hope, is anincredible woman who has a
background in corporate Americaand she, like many post-COVID,
had enough.
It kind of changed for her inpriorities and we'll just say a
wake-up call.
It wasn't that she didn't enjoyher role, but long hours kind
(00:57):
of the same song and dance andthen, really kind of looking at
life through a different scope,she decided she wanted more.
So she took the time with beingat home with COVID and doing
more remote work because thingswere pretty much shut down.
She was fortunate to keep herjob, but really just looking at
life differently, and her andher husband came together
(01:20):
alongside her mother-in-law andthey decided they wanted to
build a legacy for her children,give back to the community and
really do something that made adifference in their lives and
the lives of others.
And that's where they decidedto embark on Bumblebee.
So they went to a show that wascalled Discovery Day and got
(01:41):
the information on Bumblebee andshe was on the fence about it.
It was between bumblebee andanother company and she opened
up a calendar one day and it wasNational Bee Day and she really
took that as a God wink anddecided on that day that that
was the sign she needed, andsince then there's been no
looking back.
And then they found me, whichwas also a God wink.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Yeah, and we chatted about this just before and I
think we'll talk about it alittle bit later in the episode,
but I think an easy place totake it from there is what makes
Bumblebee Blinds different fromother window treatment
companies.
I think the heart of thebusiness.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
The motivation is a servant's heart.
When Monica interviewed me, ofcourse you know there's always
the question why do you want towork here?
I really do have a servant'sheart.
When Monica interviewed me, ofcourse you know there's always
the question why do you want towork here?
I really do have a servant'sheart.
I'm very people-oriented and Ido believe home is our safe
haven.
And yes, we are talking aboutwindow treatments, but window
treatments play a very importantrole in our home.
(02:39):
They block light, they help ourbabies sleep, they block it
when we're watching our ballgames and they definitely dress
up the space and can elevate thehome as well.
So we're spending a lot ofmoney and a lot of hours at work
.
So when you come home, you wantto enjoy your space and I like
to empower people in thatprocess.
And for Monica and Terry that'sher husband, who is also an
(03:02):
owner, and our head installer Ibelieve that what separates us
is we're saturated in thecommunity, we're a local
business and we're veryaccountable.
When we hang those blinds ordrapes or Romans or shutters, we
do it with such care and suchaccountability.
We're going to see you at ballgames.
We're going to see you at thegrocery store, we're going to
(03:24):
see you at the bookstore and weknow that and that's in each one
of us, that accountability andthat just need to do the right
thing, and I think thatseparates us.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
And you touched on one of BBB's core values, at
least here locally in our office, beyond our standards for trust
is accountability, and aligningyour business with trust and
ethical business practices isclearly important.
You guys have an A rating andhave been doing some great
things here locally.
Tell me why that's at thecenter of how you operate.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
I think, because A lot of times when you launch a
business, you're kind of justdoing it on the wings of faith.
You really can have all thetools, you can be equipped with
all the knowledge, but at theend of the day it's really how
you show up and how you growfrom your mistakes and you're
going to make mistakes in anybusiness.
(04:14):
But when you're, you know soleproprietors and entrepreneur
spirit and, like for Monica,coming from a very regulated
corporate world, unlike me whohas very entrepreneur spirit
it's kind of that merge ofpersonalities that helps us to
come together and understand theprocess of a new business.
And through making thosemistakes you do see the
(04:36):
accountability to the customerclient.
You do see, you know what thatreally did go south, we really
mismeasured that.
But we will do everything tomake it right.
And we know how disappointedyou might be that it didn't come
in when you wanted it to comein or you know it didn't fit as
snug as we would like it.
But we're going to make itright and we're going to
(04:58):
expedite this and we're going toget it done.
But we're going to make itright and we're going to
expedite this and we're going toget it done and you're going to
love it.
So it's not the panic or thedeflection and I think so much
nowadays sometimes smallbusinesses get a bad rap and
being part of the BBB and thenhaving that accountability as
Bumblebee and partnership withBBB, I think that we just drive
(05:21):
that home we just stay true toourselves and go to bed at night
knowing that we've done theright thing.
Wonderful.
Can you see it in the work thatyou do?
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Let's talk about your offerings because it's a wide
range, and how you customize foreach client that you might
contract with.
Tell me about that.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Well, one of the things that definitely separates
us.
People will call and say well,can I come to your showroom?
Well, I am the showroom I drivea big yellow bus is what I call
it.
It's not really a bus, it's avan, smothered and covered in
bumblebees and we have given itthe name Bee Gee.
It was kind of a thing where weall named our vans and we came
(06:00):
up with that name for tworeasons.
And we're staying alive.
And then you know that song wasmade by the Bee Gees, so it was
just a fun name.
And you know, in new businessyou're trying to stay alive,
right?
You're trying to survive thedance of growing and getting
your name out there.
And so I drive that and insideof it is every kind of sample,
every kind of lookbook see it,touch it, feel it, and then even
(06:23):
examples of the actual product.
So what I do is I never bringall that in, I just bring myself
and my iPad and we just startwith a conversation because it's
very overwhelming and I've beenin the business long enough to
recognize how overwhelming theinvestment is and people don't
know until they know and you canthrow out names like a Roman or
(06:45):
a roller or a cellular or solarroller, and that means nothing
to them.
Nothing to them.
So I have two rules when I gointo the home, and those two
rules are functionality first.
If it doesn't fit the needs andthe desire of the customer, I
didn't do my job.
And then the second one is Idon't sell ugly.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yeah, you have a design background.
Yes, let's talk a little bitabout that.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Yeah.
So I moved back to Oklahomawhen I was 24.
I am an Oklahoma native andwent to school in Kentucky.
I am an Oklahoma native andwent to school in Kentucky and I
enjoy again having thatservant's heart, really helping
people feel confident andempowered in the choices they
make for their home, whateverthat is.
I've worked in granite andmarble and tile.
I've been my own soleproprietor.
(07:33):
I ran my own business and didstaging and one-day makeovers.
I still talk to some of thoseformer clients.
Some of them have purchasedBumblebee Blinds.
So I love helping people feelgood in the space that they live
in and that folds intoeverything I do.
Every single day I have peoplesay are you really happy doing
(07:54):
that?
That's so far from what you did.
Well, most of us, if you havethat conversation, most of us
are far away from what wethought we might be doing.
So I feel like I found my roleand I bring that into the home
with me.
When they get stuck on thevisual, when they don't really
understand the look, sometimesI'll take a swatch and put it on
the floor just to show them thecohesiveness and how that blind
(08:18):
even though it's just maybe asimple roller how that will pull
the space together, much like arug.
Because what people don'trealize, pardon me, is that on a
big window or even just astandard window, when you pull
it down, you're getting a lensof a big piece of fabric.
So it is a commitment.
It is a commitment If you gowith a print on a Roman shade.
(08:40):
That's basically like a drapein a smaller footprint on your
window.
That's kind of what a Roman is.
So it's really making themunderstand the commitment that
they're making when they choosethat print or that pattern, and
that's design.
So it's a great experience.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Yeah, I love that and I think so helpful for a lot of
us who don't deal with thisevery day.
We know how to decorate ourhomes to the taste that we like,
and maybe we don't have adesign background, but bringing
in somebody who has the tastefor how to really pull it
together can be so helpful.
Yeah, Making your home feelhomier.
It's so much fun, yeah.
Okay, let's talk aboutBumblebee Blinds and being a
(09:24):
woman-owned business.
How have you put thatinformation out?
Just to let people know likewe're a proud woman-owned
business.
This is how we partner withother organizations in the
community.
Here's how we lead.
Talk to me a little bit aboutthat.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
We just stay very proud and excited and
enthusiastic and recognize thatwomen have a voice and we have a
place.
And I've always said peoplewill say to me and they've had
for years, you know, I'm all a5'2 on a good day They've said,
oh, honey, you can't move thator you need help with that.
You know.
And I say I'm strong and mighty.
(09:54):
And you know, little and mightyactually, and I think it's the
mentality of what you show upwith.
Your empowerment is yourempowerment, no matter what size
you are, no matter whatdirection you're going.
You have to believe in yourselfand not let the world tell you
differently.
Monica has been an inspirationfor me because she took a giant,
(10:15):
giant leap, leaving a verycomfortable world that she was
in 20 plus years herself andthere's such stability in doing
the same thing in a corporateumbrella and there's no wrong in
that, there wasn't any wrong inthat, and if that's what gives
you joy and gives you peace inyour life, then keep keeping on.
But for her she was cravingthat change and it came in a
(10:38):
season for all of us that it wasso unknown, and so she took a
hold of that and looked at herlife and said I want more.
And now here we are and she'sgetting more and doing more and
surprising herself every day asa woman owned business.
And so to your point.
I think it's just thatbelieving in yourself, first
trusting your instincts and notletting one tell you you're too
(11:01):
small or shrinking your lifeJust keep keeping on and know
that you can do it.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
I love that.
I love the surprising yourselfevery day.
What a great way to bring thatto your business.
Just try it, because how wouldshe have known that she could
have built this amazing businessunless she just gave it a shot
Right on?
If somebody was listening todayand they were interested in
learning more, what kind ofideal client should come to
Bumblebee Blinds Like who isyour ideal client that might
(11:28):
need help with?
Or do you do commercial or youonly do residential?
Speaker 2 (11:32):
We do it all.
We are certified in outdoorscreens.
I'm very excited we're doingone for a gentleman in Norman.
He has a huge graduation partyfor his daughter on Saturday and
I met with him and he was alittle anticipatory because it
is a big deal.
You know, kids work really hardand parents alongside of them
(11:53):
and that's just a bigcelebration.
He has a lovely, lovely patioand it was very large and we are
certified in those screens.
And when you're dealing withmotorization, dialing it back
about 10 years, we've met thoseclients.
They've had bad experiences.
You know the motors burn out,they don't know the warranty,
they weren't given theinformation and they need to
(12:15):
feel empowered again in thatdecision.
So we're installing that forhim tomorrow, just in time for
his graduation party.
So, to your point, we docommercial, we do residential
and then we do outdoor as well.
And when I mean outdoor, we'vedone, you know, big pergolas,
outdoor kitchens, things likethat.
So that can encompass a lot ofthings.
It can encompass bar spaces orjust someone's backyard.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
So it sounds like maybe a phone call is the first
place to start.
Just reach out to see if youguys can fill the need because
you offer so much.
Yes, we do.
Okay, cool, what trends are youseeing in the blind?
Speaker 2 (12:48):
industry I would say the biggest is drapes are back.
Drapes are back and just innormal fashion.
Just, you know.
Full circle.
Full circle, you know.
But it's always different.
I remember my daughter sayingsomething when the neon showed
up in the stores.
You know, daughter sayingsomething when the neon showed
up in the stores, you know.
And I said oh honey, I've beenthere, done that, she goes.
Yeah, mom, but 2000 was a reset, so that was in her brain.
(13:09):
You know meaning that what'sold is new again, right, but
it's always different.
And so people that have haddrapes they might envision like
these, you know, heavy gone,with the wind, tassels, old
world hanging out.
And that's not the dance,unless you want it to be, you
(13:32):
know we can get you there in amore modern way.
I always tell people you needto do what gives you peace.
I leave my aesthetic in the car.
I never push my look ontoanyone.
They have to live with theirchoices.
It's all about empowering themand getting them to feel good
about what they've done.
And drapes take a lot of work toget it right.
So it's a process, but it's agreat win.
It elevates the space.
Something as simple as raisingthe rod higher, can draw your
(13:56):
eye up, make your room looklarger, make things look more
elevated in the space, canreally dress things up, like if
you still have a dining room offthe kitchen, an actual dining
room, which that's kind ofcoming back in the build, not as
many opens.
You know, people are startingto see more walls coming back
and floor plans, so things likethat drapes, I would say.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Big plans?
Does Bumblebee happen for thenext few years?
Anything you want to tease toour listeners today?
Speaker 2 (14:22):
I would say we are growing and just going forward
and we cover so much of Oklahoma.
We're doing things even inTulsa, so we are just on fire to
be a part of the community.
We're looking forward to doingsome community events, possibly
this summer, and we're doing acontest right now on Facebook.
It's kind of like an iSpy Ifyou can name the location of
(14:44):
where I'm at, I take a pictureof the BG.
And if you can name where I'mat the first five that are
correct, I'll announce them onFriday, I post it on Monday and
we send you a treat.
It's just a treat in the mail,yeah, super.
So just engagements like that.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Where can people connect to Bumblebee Blinds if
they've got questions after theylisten to this?
Speaker 2 (15:02):
episode.
We're on Instagram, we're onFacebook, but directly it would
just be calling.
I would say call the office.
Our consultations are alwaysfree.
We always provide you a free,full consultations and they are
in fact a consultation.
I go over all the choices withyou and that's what we would
start with Just a phone call andfree consultations.
If you want to actually look atsome of our work, I would say,
(15:25):
go to Bumblebee Blinds of Normanand check us out.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
For anyone who is listening today that wants to
connect with Bumblebee Blinds orTracy, you can find all of the
information down in the shownotes.
Make sure to give BumblebeeBlinds Norman a follow on all of
their social media channels.
Check them out on bbborg and ifyou've got questions about
today's episode or want to leavea comment down below, let us
know and we will connect you toBumblebee Blinds.
(15:51):
Thanks so much for listeningand we will see you in the next
episode.
Bye, friends.
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