Kim Olsen is co-owner, with her husband Bill, of Hood Canal Custom Interiors in Belfair. She started out working for her dad in his drapery business in Bellevue in 1969 while she was still in high school. Right from the beginning, she was given responsibilities such as selling fabric, payroll and other bookkeeping duties.

Eventually, she became the manager.

After she and Bill moved to the West Sound area, he decided to get into the shade business. Her years of experience dovetailed nicely with his new business direction.

Hood Canal Custom Interiors opened in 1995, starting with blinds, draperies and other window coverings. And it “grew and grew and grew,” according to Kim.

The demands were far greater than the Olsen’s had anticipated. From window treatment, they added upholstery, then accessories and gift items, and now flooring and some furniture, as well. They also have two interior designers on staff.

Each expansion has come at the request of customers. Kim and Bill took on whatever was needed by the people they were serving.

They now occupy a new 6,000 square foot store, which is a lovely showroom. “We pick the best products at the best prices,” Kim explains. They do a lot of research to be sure of that. “We want our customers to be happy with what they get, to have a trouble-free product.”

Kim serves as the bookkeeper for the store, but still loves to design custom window treatments. She says in selecting fabrics and style, it’s important to make it proportional to the room.

A key to the success of Hood Canal Custom Interiors is service. Kim indicates about half of their business is conducted in peoples’ homes, measuring, installing or showing samples on-site.

As a woman, she has found that she sometimes needs to earn the confidence of certain men who don’t initially trust her business expertise. Kim, like the rest of the staff, easily wins them over.

The Olsens are active supporters of the Boys and Girls Club in Belfair. Bill serves on the board of directors, and together they attend a number of functions that benefit the club.

Kim sees the needs of children in the community, whether their family is well to do or struggling, being met by the Boys and Girls Club.

The store has a clearance section, with items marked down. The unique thing about it is that the purchases from this section are fully donated to the Boys and Girls Club. Customers make their checks out to the club as their donation.

Although her dad is retired now and lives in Bothell, he helps the store out from time to time with his own expertise.

Kim enjoys the challenge of constantly taking on new products, with the additional learning that requires. “We’re having a good time and we’re growing fast,” she concludes.