At the ripe young age of 29, Richard applied for a job at David Jones as a Floor manager. Having no previous retail experience, the only position available was in the soft furnishing section. After just a few months working, learning and asking lots of questions from his piers about blinds & curtains, he took it in his stride to set out on his own – 42 years on, still going strong!

He started the company with the business name ‘Image 80’s’ (named after a fabric collection at the time). Over the years, the company changed name two more times, with its final name change in 2005 to ‘Sunteca’ – which it still remains today. At the time he was the salesman, installer and general dogs body of the company, with his mum Beryl who became his sewing lady. She would sit in their garage using her small sewing machine to make all the blinds & curtains herself.

Once the business grew and Beryl couldn’t keep up with the orders, he opened his first showroom in Willoughby & began outsourcing his products from some of Australia’s best manufacturing companies. Even though the days of his showroom being open are well and truly over, he saw the benefits of WFH (working from home) before it was even a thing, and today has a number of sales reps & installers who work for him.

Throughout his journey Richard has always stayed true to his beliefs in supporting small business & staying local.

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