I remember when I first started staging, I read a phenomenal book by Barb Schwarz and immediately started filling out my forms to establish my LLC. That was the end of December 2016. From there, I created whatever forms Barb talked about in her book and I used that book to understand the process of Vacant Home Staging and Occupied Home Staging. Next, I learned what their associated contracts looked like and how it worked to involve a furniture rental store in the Home Staging process. At that time, I knew of only 1 stager and did my best to look at her work posted regularly on Facebook so that I could get an idea of what the result of staging a home looked like. I didn’t know of anything or anyone else for probably the next 18 months - 2 years.
Thankfully, I was able to take that stager’s Professional Home Staging class and I received my certification. I remember her telling me, "I want you to enjoy staging" and I was so thankful that she thought enough of me to reach out and mention her class. I also had the opportunity to work in the field with one of her stagers who was on staff full-time as well as her Interior Designer. To this day I’m so grateful for her and her team because any and everything I needed to know, they generously answered it for me. I don’t know what I would have done if it weren’t for her and them and the truth is, I keep going because she originally believed in me. Her business has grown tremendously over the last 2 years and in terms of volume, she does have the largest Home Staging business in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
I started this blog the way I did because I really want to stress the importance of community and mentorship. If you are a new or seasoned Professional Home Stager, it is critical to partner with others within your industry. Several people have been so generous with me when it came to sharing their knowledge and wisdom about the process of Staging, as well as different systems and automation tools to use. A few months ago, a local realtor snapped at me “WHY WOULD YOU ALL SHARE INFORMATION LIKE THAT?!?!” The reason is because I know the God I serve and the God I serve is one of abundance and overflows with blessings. Maybe she should evaluate the God she serves!
Like any other industry, you will find stingy personalities who love to judge here and there and generally speaking, I’ve been able to network with amazing people who want to see me succeed. A lot of us are in the same Facebook groups and are a part of the same organization. As you meet other stagers and start to enhance your community, be open to advice and pay attention because what others go through will help you fine tune where you want your business to go and make wiser decisions. Something to note: if you are able to join any of the stager Facebook groups, it's good advice to avoid posting negative comments about another stager and their work. We live in a small world and we don't know who others are acquainted with. It's also unprofessional and doesn't enhance your brand.
As you get to know others, start to evaluate why they’re doing what they’re doing and make sure you own your unique journey for you, based on where you want your business to go. Each person is a product of their own environment and I recommend keeping this in mind so that your business doesn’t mirror someone else’s insecurity or their ego trip.
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