The Window Shading Association of Australia (WSAA) brought retailers, manufacturers and suppliers together at Burwood District Bowls Club on Thursday 26 February for its Barefoot Business event, a three-hour evening that opened with a retailer panel before moving to the green.
Before the shoes came off, three experienced retailers took the floor for a candid discussion covering the practical challenges of running a window furnishings business. Fiona Sombekke of SOM Blinds, Josh McConnell of Delux Blinds, and Andrew Bregman of Jim’s Blinds, Awnings & Shutters worked through a broad range of topics: closing sales without compromising service, guiding overwhelmed customers through product choices, and marketing strategies that generate quality leads rather than tyre-kickers. The panel also covered supplier relationship management, launching new products, balancing team culture with performance, pricing conversations that protect margin, and the systems and processes that reduce day-to-day operational stress. Mistakes, and what can be learned from them, featured too.
WSAA CEO Wesley Fawaz said the tone of the evening set it apart. “Last night we brought members together for one of Australia’s favourite past times – barefoot bowls. This Barefoot Business event was a relaxed evening of barefoot bowls and genuine connection between retailers, manufacturers and suppliers, but before we kicked off our shoes, we got straight into business.”
He pointed out that the willingness of panellists to speak openly was what made the format work. “What stood out most? The honesty. The willingness to share not just wins, but lessons. And the reminder that while our businesses may compete in market, we grow stronger as an industry when we share knowledge. That’s what WSAA membership is all about: practical insights, stronger connections, and a community where people back each other.”
The event was sponsored by Rollease Acmeda, with the association acknowledging Lara Apicella for the company’s support in making the evening possible.
