About Us

About Home Smart Shades

Who we are

At Home Smart Shades, we believe the right window shades can make a room feel more comfortable, private, and complete. Our shades are made by SmartWings: motorized roller, cellular, zebra, Roman, woven wood, dual and outdoor shades, motorized drapery, plus fabric samples, remotes, hubs and other accessories.

We know choosing window coverings online takes some thought. Size, light, privacy, and style all matter. Our goal is to make it easier to explore your options and choose with confidence, with clear measuring guides, published delivery estimates and a support team you can email or call.

Home Smart Shades is operated by Zero Filter Online LLC.

What you can expect

Made to your size

Every shade is custom-made after your payment is confirmed, built to the measurements and options you choose, so custom shades are final sale.

Ready for your smart home

Use a remote, an app or your voice. With a smart motor, shades work with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home.

3-year motor warranty

SmartWings motors and controls are covered for 3 years from the date your order ships. Shade, fabric and hardware defects must be reported within 30 days of delivery.

Delivery in about 3–4 weeks

Most custom orders arrive about 3 to 4 weeks after payment. We ship within the United States, with tracking by email.

24 hours to make changes

Changes and cancellation are free within 24 hours of placing your order. After that it's in production and final.

See the fabric first

Fabric samples usually arrive in 4–8 business days, so you can check color and light in your own room.

Our Story

Built by a self-taught entrepreneur

Home Smart Shades is part of a family of online stores run by Zero Filter Online LLC, a US company founded in 2023 by Ahmet Gökhan Kara. It is the latest chapter in a story that began when he moved to Canada in 1994.

Ahmet Gökhan Kara holding his Burlington Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur finalist plaque — **Ahmet Gökhan Kara***Founder · Zero Filter Online LLC*Young Entrepreneur category finalist, Burlington Chamber of Commerce (Burlington, Ontario, Canada). Watch the video ↗

Early years

Ahmet is a fully self-taught entrepreneur. He grew up working in his family’s small business, where he developed a passion for electronics and taught himself to repair TVs, radios and tape players, which he fixed for free for people around him.

Canada, since 1994

He moved to Canada in 1994. In 1998 he designed his first website, cttc.com, and a year later launched his first company, AGK Import and Export. Over the next decade and a half he built a series of businesses in Canada: a banquet center, a full-service car wash, a finance company that served as the Canada-wide distributor of UFO heaters from 2008 to 2014, an automotive service business, Hertz car rental locations in Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton, and Advanced Auto Imports, a high-end luxury car dealership.

His work was recognized when he was named a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur category by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce in Burlington, Ontario.

E-commerce in Canada and the USA

In 2019 he founded CND International Inc. in Canada, which runs zerofilteronline.com and infraredheaters.ca. In 2023 he founded Zero Filter Online LLC in the United States, which operates zerofilterstore.com, homesmartshades.com and wearekema.com.

A family business

In 2026 his son, Kaan Gökhan Kara, joined the company to lead web design and help manage the business. Today it is a family business, run with the same hands-on approach Ahmet has brought to every venture.

Ahmet Gökhan KaraFounder, Zero Filter Online LLC

Milestones

From 1994 to today

Key moments from the first website to today’s family of online stores.

Early years
Grew up in a family businessTaught himself electronics and repaired TVs, radios and tape players for free.
1994
Moved to CanadaThe start of his North American business career.
1998
Designed his first website, cttc.com
1999
AGK Import and ExportHis first company, in import and export.
2000
Marcellos Banquet CenterBanquet and event venue.
2002
Super Shine Full Service Car Wash
2008
H.K Finance Inc.Canada-wide distributor of UFO heaters, 2008–2014.
2009
Advanced AutomotiveAutomotive service.
2010
Hertz Burlington, Oakville and HamiltonCar rental locations in three Ontario cities.
2012
Advanced Auto ImportsHigh-end luxury car dealership.
Award
Young Entrepreneur category finalistBurlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington, Ontario, Canada · Watch the video ↗
2019
CND International Inc. (Canada)zerofilteronline.com · infraredheaters.ca
2023
Zero Filter Online LLC (USA)zerofilterstore.com · homesmartshades.com · wearekema.com
2026
Kaan Gökhan Kara joins the companyLeading web design and helping manage the business.Family business

Our Companies

Companies and online stores

Our active companies in the United States and Canada, and the ventures that came before them.

United States

Since 2023

Active today

Zero Filter Online LLCFounded 2023

Operates our three US online stores.

Canada

Since 1994

Active today

CND International Inc.Founded 2019

Our Canadian e-commerce company.

Past ventures

1999
AGK Import and ExportImport and export
2000
Marcellos Banquet CenterBanquet and event venue
2002
Super Shine Full Service Car WashFull-service car wash
2008
H.K Finance Inc.Canada-wide distributor of UFO heaters, 2008–2014
2009
Advanced AutomotiveAutomotive service
2010
Hertz Burlington, Oakville and HamiltonCar rental locations
2012
Advanced Auto ImportsHigh-end luxury car dealership

★

Young Entrepreneur category finalist
Burlington Chamber of Commerce (Burlington, Ontario, Canada) · Watch the video ↗

Help when you need it

Not sure how to measure, which fabric to choose, or which motor fits your smart home? Start with our How to Measure guide and FAQ, or email us your measurements (a photo of the window helps) before you order and we'll look them over as a courtesy. You remain responsible for the measurements you submit.