Welcome to our Member Spotlight series, where we celebrate the people and businesses making an impact in the Strive community and beyond. Today, we’re featuring Eric and Amber Hoffman, the team behind Bumble Bee Blinds. Specializing in custom window coverings that blend style, privacy, and functionality, they make home upgrades feel simple—from expert consultations to seamless installation. Join us as we explore how they built their business, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what makes their work so rewarding.
Tell us a little about Bumble Bee Blinds
Bumble Bee Blinds of Boulder is a locally owned and operated window coverings business serving the Boulder community and surrounding areas. We offer a full range of custom blinds, shades, shutters, and drapes to suit every style and budget. Our process is designed to be completely hassle-free — we come to you for an in-home consultation, take precise measurements, and handle professional installation from start to finish. As a franchise with strong national backing, we combine the personalized service of a local business with the quality and reliability of a trusted brand. Whether you’re updating a single room or outfitting an entire home or commercial space, we’re here to help you find the perfect window coverings solution.
What led you to start Bumble Bee Blinds?
I came to Bumble Bee Blinds of Boulder after a career that included practicing law and serving as a COO, and I was ready to build something of my own in a community I love. I was drawn to the franchise model because it offered the best of both worlds — the independence of entrepreneurship with the support of a proven system. Window coverings turned out to be a perfect fit because it’s a business built on real relationships, craftsmanship, and helping people transform their spaces. Boulder is such a vibrant, design-forward community, and I saw a real opportunity to bring a higher level of service and expertise to the market here. It’s been incredibly rewarding to build something tangible that makes a visible difference in people’s homes and workplaces.
What sets your business apart from competitors?
What sets us apart is our commitment to a truly consultative, white-glove experience — we don’t just sell window coverings, we help clients find the right solution for their space, lifestyle, and budget. We come to you, which means no showroom pressure and no guesswork, just personalized guidance in the comfort of your own home. Our product selection is extensive, and because we work with top manufacturers, we’re able to offer quality and variety that big box stores simply can’t match. We also stand behind our work long after installation is complete, because we know that’s how lasting relationships — and referrals — are built. At the end of the day, we’re a small local business that genuinely cares about getting it right for every single client.
What is something you wish you’d known when starting out?
I wish I had known just how much of small business success comes down to community — getting involved early and often makes an enormous difference. Building relationships with other local business owners, joining organizations like the HBA Metro Denver and the Boulder Chamber, and showing up consistently creates a network that supports you in ways you can’t fully anticipate when you’re starting out. I also wish I had been more patient with the ramp-up period; there’s a natural learning curve to any new venture, and trusting the process is easier said than done when you’re in the thick of it. On the operational side, investing in the right systems and people from the beginning saves so much time and energy down the road. The businesses that thrive are the ones that build strong foundations early, even when it feels like you should be focused entirely on chasing new customers.
What is one unexpected way your business has evolved?
When I launched Bumble Bee Blinds of Boulder, I never anticipated that running the business would ultimately inspire an entirely new venture. Navigating the world of digital marketing as a small business owner — and experiencing firsthand how underserved local businesses are when it comes to honest, effective marketing — planted the seed for what became The FS Agency. The FS Agency is a marketing and AI consulting firm that grew directly out of the lessons learned building Bumble Bee Blinds, and it now serves local service businesses, wellness, and hospitality clients across multiple verticals. It’s a case of one business genuinely giving birth to another, which is something I couldn’t have scripted when I first started measuring windows. Looking back, it makes perfect sense — entrepreneurship has a way of revealing opportunities you never knew you were looking for.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part is the moment a client sees their finished installation and the room just comes together — there’s a real joy in that transformation that never gets old. Window coverings are one of those finishing touches that people often underestimate, and watching someone realize how much of a difference it makes is genuinely satisfying. We also love working with clients over time — many of our customers come back when they’re ready to tackle another room or refer us to friends and family, and that kind of trust means everything to a small business. There’s also something deeply fulfilling about being part of the Boulder community in a tangible way, contributing to spaces where people live, work, and gather. At the end of the day, we’re in the business of making people’s spaces more beautiful and functional, and that’s a pretty great thing to be able to say.
What have you learned about yourself or your industry along the way?
I’ve learned that I’m more resilient than I ever gave myself credit for — entrepreneurship has a way of testing you in ways that a corporate career simply doesn’t, and coming out the other side of those challenges builds a kind of confidence that’s hard to earn any other way. On the industry side, I’ve been struck by how relationship-driven the home services space truly is; people are inviting you into their homes, and that trust is something you have to earn and protect every single time. I’ve also learned that the businesses winning in this space are the ones that embrace technology and modern marketing rather than relying solely on traditional methods — the window coverings industry is more dynamic and competitive than most people realize. Perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that the line between operator and advocate gets blurry fast; when you care deeply about your clients’ experience, you naturally become a champion for raising the bar across the whole industry. That passion is ultimately what led me to launch The FS Agency — because I wanted to help other small businesses access the same tools and strategies that made a difference for us.
How has being part of the Strive Boulder community impacted you and your business?
Being a member of Strive Boulder has been a smart strategic move for Bumble Bee Blinds, giving us a professional Boulder address that reinforces our local presence and credibility. For a business like ours, where local trust and community roots matter enormously, having that address supports our Google Business Profile and strengthens our local SEO in meaningful ways. It’s a practical, cost-effective solution that allows us to stay lean operationally while still planting a genuine flag in the Boulder market. We were also really pleased to learn that Strive Boulder is a Boulder Chamber member, which means we’re sharing space — literally and figuratively — with other businesses who are equally invested in this community. Supporting fellow Chamber members is something we take seriously, and knowing that Strive brings together like-minded local business owners makes the membership feel like so much more than just an address. We’d encourage any local service business to think creatively about how memberships and affiliations can do double duty — building credibility while delivering real business value and connecting you to a broader community of people who genuinely want to see each other succeed.
If you could grab coffee with yourself 5 years ago, what would you say?
Honestly? I’d say stay in Europe a little longer — soak it up, because you have no idea what’s about to unfold when you get back! But in all seriousness, I’d tell myself to trust the instincts that led to the leap into entrepreneurship, because the path that follows is more rewarding than you can imagine from where you’re standing. I’d also say that the skills you’ve built as an attorney and operator are going to serve you in ways you haven’t fully appreciated yet — don’t undersell what you already know. I’d remind myself that building something meaningful takes longer than you think it should, and that’s not a sign you’re doing it wrong, it’s just the nature of the work. And finally, I’d say that the community you’re about to plant yourself in — Boulder, the Chamber, the HBA, the co-working spaces, the fellow entrepreneurs — is going to be one of the greatest unexpected gifts of this whole journey.
Favorite local spot — where are you taking a friend visiting town?
Easy — I’m taking them to Fritz Family Brewers in Niwot, a family-friendly craft brewery with a fantastic selection of lagers and ales and the kind of laid-back, welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay for one more round. It’s just a short drive from Boulder but feels like a genuine local secret, which is exactly what you want to share with a visitor. What really sets Fritz apart is something that’s honestly hard to find in the US — it has the spirit of an Irish local pub, where the staff take the time to learn your name, remember your order, and actually have a real conversation with you. Having lived in Ireland, that kind of genuine hospitality is something we missed deeply, and Fritz delivers it in a way that feels completely authentic rather than forced. The indoor and outdoor bar setup makes it a great spot year-round, and if you haven’t been, put it on your list — it’s the kind of place that instantly feels like home.
We want to thank Eric and Amber for their willingness to participate in our Member Spotlight series. If you are interested in spotlighting your business or a side project, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Community Manager. We are always eager to help elevate your business in any way we can!
