Factory Blinds owner hands business to longtime employee after 37 years
Gary Streets is retiring from Factory Blinds after 37 years, handing it to employee Kellie Panton.
Gary Streets built Factory Blinds from scratch in 1989, starting with about two days of work a week and growing it to 25 staff. In the mid-2000s, the business nearly collapsed, making just $14,000 in three weeks.
Streets ran a call-to-action radio ad and brought in $120,000 in a fortnight. He's been running memorable ads ever since.
Streets officially retired on September 2 but will stay in store through the end of the year. Kellie Panton, who joined 18 years ago, takes over after the pair agreed terms on the back of a brown paper bag.
Panton says customers often ask if Gary is real or just a voice.
- May 1, 1989
- Business started
- 25 employees
- Final staff count
- 14,000 dollars in three weeks
- Crisis period revenue
- 120,000 dollars in fortnight
- Ad campaign result
Why it mattersSmall-business ownership in Australia can survive crises and grow substantially over decades with the right approach and team.
AustraliaShows how a single Launceston business owner built a significant local employer and kept the shop running through tough economic periods.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 d ago
