Trading Up Consulting and Trading Up Academy are filling a huge void in the window fashion industry by providing knowledge & education when it comes to window treatment installation and customer service. Our goal is to raise the standards for the window fashion industry as a whole, one window covering at a time. Today, I am going to list all of the services we offer so you can take advantage of them and become a top-notch professional in the window treatment installation industry, to...
You might just be starting out in the industry or maybe you’ve been in business for decades. Nonetheless there is one common feature for all successful companies, regardless of size or years in business. And today, we are going to leverage this feature to help your company thrive in 2023.Before we dive in, we have some exciting news regarding the Trading Secrets Podcast! On top of the audio version that you are familiar with, I will also now be recording the show on camera to be uploaded on Y...
Welcome back to the Trading Secrets Podcast.This show is sponsored by WCAA - the Window Coverings Association of America. Their mission is to make available educational and networking opportunities, to encourage a code of ethics for fair practices, and to work for the betterment of the window coverings industry. Today we’re talking about “The Insurance Policy”. Most people (myself included) are not big fans of paying insurance premiums. If you add up the amount you have paid for ins...
A large portion of the window fashions industry is dedicated to discretionary income: Getting consumers with money to spend on things they want versus things they need. For that reason, these consumers can be very selective about the professionals they choose to work with. Today I will share a few tips for you to stand out as a Top-Notch Installer and win those consumers over.Be sure to listen through to the end as I list five concrete tips to becoming a TOP-NOTCH window treatment i...
In today’s episode of the Trading Secrets Podcast we are talking about the kaizen way. This is one of my favorite Japanese words and concepts that I apply to my life and my business that has really made a huge impact not just on myself but those around me too.We talk a little on mindset, goals, and real world examples of how I apply the kaizen way to my overall life and why you should too.Have you heard of the kaizen way before? You likely already apply some of these principles to your e...
In case you didn’t know … I’ve almost left this Earth four times. And I wasn’t even 25 yet. Intrigued? In this episode of the Trading Secrets Podcast, we discuss the importance of not celebrating just your biggest victories, but your small accomplishments too. As someone who has worked so hard to get where I’m at today, and has almost lost my life several times along the way, I find it so important to stop, process and celebrate each step of this journey. Be sure to listen...
Unless you are trying to avoid being discovered by the FBI or the IRS, your name should be all over the place …Confused? Don’t be. In today’s episode of the Trading Secrets Podcast, we will be discussing the importance of SHOWING. UP. Including SEO strategies, proper business etiquette, and marketing tips and tricks to set you apart. I even share a recent personal story to give you an example to work from.As always, be sure to listen through to the end of the episode for my “bo...
On today’s episode of The Trading Secrets Podcast we are talking about ego and the long term effect it can have on your business. You all know how important continuing education and learning is to me, and in this episode, I lay out all the reasons it should be important to you too (Including the ever-so-important ego check sometimes).. In fact, this episode’s idea originated from someone else! Read on to hear more on that story … Be sure to read through to the end of the episod...
Hello everyone, welcome back to another episode of The Trading Secrets Podcast. In today’s show, we are going to talk about the importance of networking events and seminars and why attending home shows can help you become a better professional.Consequently leading you to more success!This episode is brought to you by WCAA - the Window Coverings Association of America. Their mission is to make educational and networking opportunities available to its members. When you join WCAA, you ...
On today’s episode of Trading Secrets Podcast I will share with you an installation project that resulted in an unhappy client, unhappy installer, and unhappy dealer. In every industry, companies strive to provide the best service for their clients and our industry is no different. That’s why today’s episode is so important.Stick around as I share 3 avoidable mistakes dealers can make and provide suggestions on how to prevent these in the future. More happy clients, happy installers, hap...
Why I created the Installation Start Up CourseBrought to you by WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America)In today’s show we are going to talk about what the installation course is and why I created it! If you are in the industry, you can probably agree that window treatment installation or the window treatment industry as a whole are not something that people are very familiar with.Because of this, we (as installers) often receive many questions about what exactly it is that we do a...
In today’s episode, let’s talk about motorization and home automation, along with how you need to get involved in this trend ASAP. This trend has been on the rise since 2006 and is now exploding exponentially.This is the first show of 2022, and at the start of every new year, people start making lists and resolutions of things they want to change and do in the year ahead. Businesses are no different – you should be sitting down to plan out your expectations and goals as an owner, employer, or...
In today’s episode, we are going to be talking about one word and nine meanings. This one word represents 9 qualities that any top-notch installer needs to have.Last week I received a Christmas card from my graphic designer, designed by her with one word on the cover. That word was gratitude, but she had also turned it into an acrostic, meaning each letter of the word represented another word. This inspired me to create a version for window treatment installers.Gratitude itself is the quality...
In this episode we are going through seven ways to put safety first in your window covering business. This includes proper ways to load your van, cordless treatments, as well as what installers can do to keep themselves and others safe.First, it’s important to define what safety is. It comes down to recognizing hazards to achieve an acceptable level of risk. One tip is to mind your dimensions. Otherwise, you will be unhappy with the outcome, and so will your clients. Isolate if you need to so...
In today’s episode we are going to be talking about Virtual Installer Pro – or VIP – card. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had access to a seasoned installer that you could ask all your installation questions to, bounce ideas off of, and get advice? I’m here to tell you how you can access all this and more with the VIP card.I didn’t come up with the original idea for the Virtual Installer Pro card. Originally, my virtual assistant Belinda Wasser from Rocket Girl Solutions came up with the idea. In...
In today’s episode, we are going to be talking about the problems I have faced with social media. It’s been difficult finding someone to help me create content that is engaging and true to me and my business.In trying to be efficient with my time, I realized that I don’t do social media very well. I enjoy the interaction with customers and colleagues, but I am not very good at playing the algorithms. I decided to start working with someone to help me create and curate my social media posts.In...
In today’s episode we are going to be talking about the little details that can make a big difference. If you are in a service-based industry, every step of your customer interaction is important and should be given the same amount of care.Recently, I woke up to find our condo was chilly, despite the thermostat reading 72. The pilot light in our HVAC system was out. It took me an hour to get it going and then, a few days later, it went out again. I called a friend of mine who works as a techn...
When I first started my company in 2006, I planned on creating a giant company with fleets of vans and employees who worked while I counted money and lived the American dream.I got to a point where I had 2 vans and 3 guys working for me, but I would get calls from clients saying they would rather have me come out and do the work. My guys did good work, but they would sometimes leave a mess or leave things out of place. I didn’t like getting those calls. So, I started thinking about how I coul...
Welcome to the first episode of the Trading Secrets podcast. I’m your host Roger Magalhaes, and for today’s episode I want to introduce myself, let you know what this podcast is about, and why I decided to create this show.Originally, I am from Brazil, but now I am based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. I believe I was born an entrepreneur. When I was little, I would pull my shoe shine box around the neighborhood asking everyone I saw if they needed their shoes shined. I attended vocational...
Welcome to Trading Secrets: a podcast about tools, techniques and education on window treatment installations as well as the everyday struggles of running a small business. I am your host Roger Magalhaes and to spice things up, I mix those conversations with a bit of zesty Brazilian sauce. As an immigrant from Brazil living in America for over 20 years, I've learned that hard work and perseverance pays off. But THAT, does not happen overnight. What’s the secret to keep moving further up?...