BLINDS, AWNINGS, HOUSE PAINTING, AND MORE

Fred and Darus Juarez certainly have the entrepreneurial spirit. The couple, who moved to the Rogue Valley in 2011, now own four businesses serving the valley. Their bread and butter, Budget Blinds, offers interior design for beauty and privacy in your home, specializing in automated solutions (“Alexa, close the blinds please”) for your windows.  

Darus grew up in Roseburg and is a graduate of University of Oregon. Fred grew up in Sacramento and fell in love with Oregon’s fishing and hunting and decided to relocate to Brookings as a young man.  With a passion for business ownership, they purchased the Budget Blinds franchise in 2014 through a desire to work and play in the Rogue Valley. The Budget Blinds business has morphed into two other home services businesses: Pacific Northwest Awnings and Southern Oregon Painting, as they saw a need for more great service in the valley and have a passion for giving 5-star service to all their customers.

“Our awning business specializes in exterior spaces such as screened in porches and retractable awnings,” Darus said. “We also do commercial European-style retractable roof pergolas. If you have ever been to Hummingbird Winery or Apricity Winery, you will see our pergolas in action. It’s a truly great product that provides a reprieve from the rainy season in Oregon.”

In 2023, Darus started Young Adults with Autism Social Club as a need she saw for her son, who is on the spectrum.  

“Once an autistic child ages out of the system, there are not a lot of activities,” Darus said. “This prompted me to start the YAAS Club which offers a social outlet and reduced cost activities for adults on the spectrum.  The club serves Jackson and Josephine counties and is funded partially by our blinds, awning and painting businesses. Two of our kids work with us in the business: one has been with us since the start of the venture, and the other joined later. The younger of the two came to us and asked us to help them do what we do, and that became the start of Southern Oregon Painting. which is co-owned by us and Caylee and Austin Getz. Whether you need interior or exterior painting, we will work with you to ensure your vision is brought to life.”  

Together, Fred and Darus have raised seven children in Southern Oregon. Two went on to graduate from Southern Oregon University, one from Oregon Institute of Technology, one from University of Alaska-Anchorage, and one is currently attending University of Alaska-Fairbanks.  

“We have long-term staff that have been with us for years and we treat our employees and customers as family,” Darus said. “Each year we host a weekend camping trip at Applegate Lake and special Christmas events for our employees and their families.” 

At all businesses, the customer comes first. “We pride ourselves on offering outstanding customer service, every time,” Darus said. “We answer our own phones, return calls, show up when we say we will, and service our products. If you come to us, we will be here to help you from the beginning of your project to the end.”

All businesses are run out of the Medford location close to Cartwrights at 650 Oakdale Drive.

“Stop by and say hi and see what we have to offer,” Darus said. “You can also visit with our office dog and cat while you’re there.”

For more information: Budget Blinds (541-779-7033); PNW Awnings & Pergolas (541-500-0170); Southern Oregon Painting (541-500-0705); Young Adults with Autism Social Club (541-218-9013). Or visit them at budgetblinds.com/southernoregon; pnwawnings.com; sopainting.com; or yaasclub.org.