Budget Blinds of Central Marin and South Marin

Tony Rennia: Family First

By Matt Solis, Editor

With a rich background in home improvement, Tony Rennia has worn many hats over his career—he even spent five years as a stagehand—but when he decided to take a chance on the window covering industry, he knew he had found something special. “My wife, Jennifer, and I used to work together in another business, and in 2018 we decided we wanted to try it again and started considering our options,” he remembers. “We looked at quite a few businesses, but Budget Blinds was the one that checked all the boxes. With their experience and family-oriented business practices, we knew we had to move in that direction.”

Today, as owner of Budget Blinds of Central Marin and South Marin, Tony says his favorite part of his job is interacting with customers. “I love speaking with people from different walks of life and helping them choose the right window treatments for their needs,” he says. “It’s always exciting to help a client make their house more of a home.”

Tony was born and raised in Sonoma County, and even though he spent parts of his childhood in Oregon and Hawaii due to his father’s job in the service industry, he always knew he’d end up back home. “We live in Rohnert Park now and I really like the close-knit nature of the community,” he says. “Everybody seems to know each other, so it’s definitely one of the biggest ‘small towns’ you can live in. Plus, we’re within driving distance of the snow and the beach, so it’s pretty great.”

Tony and Jennifer recently celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary, and together they navigate a bustling family life with their three children. “Jacob, my son from a previous relationship, is off getting his master’s degree,” he details. “Our younger kids, Gabriel and Aubrey, are in junior high and pretty active. Gabriel plays travel soccer and Aubrey rides horses, so our weekends are usually packed. Sometimes Jennifer and I have to divide and conquer to get everything done!”

Whether they’re watching a movie together at home, heading out for a day on their boat in the summer or hitting the ski slopes in the winter, the Rennias cherish their time together. “We’re definitely close and we enjoy each other’s company,” affirms Tony. “All of my hobbies are related to spending time with my family.”

In terms of a personal or professional philosophy, Tony emphasizes the importance of the Golden Rule. “I try to treat people the way I’d want to be treated in the same situation,” he says. “It sounds simple, but I believe it’s important.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?

A: The Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco Giants.

Q: Coffee or tea?

A: Coffee.

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person?

A: A dog person. We have an American Bully named Freya who comes to the showroom. There’s a sandwich board out front that says, “A puppy works here.”

Q: Would you rather be in a cold place or a hot place?

A: Too much of either isn’t good, but if I had to pick, I would go with a hot beach.

Q: What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

A: My children.