Sonie Skogerson’s Journey on Building a Business with Heart & Hustle (Ep. 100)

In this inspiring and relatable episode, Evan Wohl chats with Sonie Skogerson, a Budget Blinds franchise owner who turned a leap of faith into a thriving business. Sonie shares how she launched her window treatment company with minimal training, the value of early marketing hustle, and how her love for fabric and design fueled her first projects. She dives deep into the support system provided by the franchise, including a strong coaching culture that evolves as your business grows. From tackling early challenges like cash flow and closing rates to navigating tariffs and scaling with the help of community and peer groups, Sonie highlights the power of mentorship, consistency, and social media—especially Instagram—as key drivers of success. This conversation is packed with valuable takeaways for any entrepreneur, especially those navigating franchise ownership, marketing on a budget, and building a referral-based business. Key takeaways: The unique impact of a support system within a franchise network [00:08:13] The transition from corporate fashion to entrepreneurship and the role of social media in marketing [00:01:49] Tried and tested strategies for generating referrals [00:21:45] An inside look into the essential support networks and business coaching that fuel her growth [00:13:55] Connect with Evan Wohl: Opus Private Client, LLC  [email protected]  LinkedIn: Evan Wohl YouTube: OPUS Private Client, LLC Connect with Sonie Skogerson: LinkedIn: Sonie Skogerson Budget Blinds [email protected]  About Our Guest: Sonie is a veteran of the fashion industry, having spent over 10 years crisscrossing North America and the globe for some of the biggest names in luxury sportswear.  She brings her energy, keen eye for quality, design, and detail, and an approachable design style to every personal consultation with Budget Blinds.  Sonie is an expert at understanding your needs and helping you express your own individual style without going over your budget.  She is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design and has studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the London College of Fashion.  Sonie owns three Budget Blinds Franchises in Northern New Jersey & has been covering windows for over 12 years. She is a mother of three and an avid downhill skier.