It was a bold experiment: could store management experience at Office Depot and Wal-Mart be parlayed into the startup of a homegrown window-coverings business? For Scot Dietz, the answer so far has been “yes.”

Since the launch of 3 Blind Mice Window Coverings in March 2003, profits have increased from $300,000 to a projected $5 million for 2005. He employs seven people full time, and contracts work to another 50. He has offices in San Diego, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Dietz, 35, didn’t have much experience with window coverings before he started 3 Blind Mice. He had done some installation work when he left retail store management and saw an increased need for home decor services with San Diego’s housing construction boom.

From working with billion-dollar companies, Dietz learned essential business skills such as networking and effective hiring. The rest, he says, could be overcome with the right mindset. “Confidence will get you just about anywhere you want to go, and I’ve got enough of that,” he says.

3 Blind Mice’s work in the community has included donations of blinds and installation to shelters for the homeless, youth and abused women, to church organizations, and even to a family on television’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” He even has rallied employees and neighbors to raise funds for tsunami victims and military families.

Dietz, who has been married to Carly for four years, says he wants to infuse the personal touch into every aspect of his business. “We want to take extremely good care of our customers,” he says. “Real people answer the phone here. Everyone from the installer to the receptionist, anyone in our organization, is trained and willing to help.”

When he isn’t working, Dietz enjoys golfing, surfing and go-cart racing.