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What's Your Background?

By
Home Stager with http://www.teribclark.com

I'm curious to know what you did before you got started in the staging business.

1. Interior Designer

2. Artist

3. Real Estate Agent

4. Home Remodeler

5. Professional Cleaner/Organizer

6. Mom

7. Other  (If other, tell me what other, ok?)

And what made you decide to stage instead of what you had been doing before? Inquiring minds want to know.

Comments (27)

Kimberly Wester
Valparaiso, IN

1986-1988  Concession girl at the local cinema

1989-1995  Dental assistant, expanded functions dental assistant, office manager, OSHA standards compliance manager

1995-2005  Full time mom, substitute librarian, part time lunch and recess aide, full time room mother

2005- present  Home stager, substitute librarian, substitute school secretary, full time PTO member, member of the JSE PL221 committee, exhausted woman

May 31, 2007 02:48 PM
Lanita, Interior Concept Designs, Home Staging
Interior Concept Designs - Silver Spring, MD

1994 -1998 Meeting Planner/Director of Development for National Association of State Boards of Education

1998 - 2006 Mom, events planning consultant, real estate agent, Sunday School teacher, pre-school substititue teacher, piano teacher, pre-school admissions rep., room parent, school book fair chair, etc.

2007 - Home stager (plus a ton of other volunteer work!).

May 31, 2007 03:44 PM
Mandi Armitage
Stage It First - Roseville, CA

Hi Teri,

I graduated from college with plans to go to law school.  I worked in a law firm and then changed my mind about that!  I worked random jobs, including a short stint as a bird trainer, until I decided I wanted to be a high school teacher.  While I went back to school I waitressed and worked for an after school program.  I becmae a credentialed teacher and a 1st time mom in the same year.  I taught part-time (40 - 60%) for a few years and I loved it.  I then had my second baby and stayed home for a about a year and a half.  Since teaching high school part-time is almost impossible to do where I live in California, I decided to look for a more flexible job that can be done on evenings and weekends.  I then became a stager!  Luckily I discovered I have a natural "eye" for staging otherwise I would be looking for another career now.  I am having a blast and learning new things all the time.  I do miss teaching and I may go back to it some day, but for now I all about staging!

May 31, 2007 04:51 PM
Stephanie Heron
Dressing Rooms LLC - Scottsdale, AZ
Weeber - Dressing Rooms

I was a Flight Attendant (Air Hostess where I come from) for 10 years then for another 6 years I recruited Flight Attendants and Pilots in Hong Kong of all places. We moved to the US 12 years ago and I spent 9 of them as the Placement Manager for a big flight training school. I have just launched my Staging company and feel kind of weird calling myself a Stager but that is what I am hoping to be when I grow up:)

 Stephanie

Jun 01, 2007 04:09 AM
Julie Davis, Amy Blank - Rediscovered Interiors, LLC
Rediscovered Interiors, LLC - Andover, MN

I graduated from college with a Marketing Degree, wanted to do Interior Design, but thought the Marketing was a "safer" route--should have gone with my gut.  My dad has his own Interior Design business for 30 years, so guess it's in the blood.  However, my husband is an executive for an international big box retailer, so since we moved around quite a bit with no family near by, it made more since for me to be at home with the children.  I have waited 12 years for my time alone when everyone is finally off to a full day of school --only 3 children, just 3 1/2 years apart though---so, my partner and I just started our business over 1 year ago since we knew this time was coming. Incredible how things just come together at the perfect time--of course I believe that would be God's timing.  I absolutely love what we do.  I never really got the saying of do what you love until now.  You feel it in your bones, and there's an extra bounce to your step.   Nothing quite like it. 

Julie

 I still have a secret desire to be a weather woman though---- :)

Jun 01, 2007 04:25 AM
Phyllis Pafumi
ReStyled to Sell Home Staging New Jersey - Old Bridge, NJ
ReStyled to Sell Staging Homes NJ

Hey Terri

Before I got started in the staging business I worked as a real estate paralegal and then switched to a loan processor. I always loved the real estate field. BUT, decorating was always my side hobby. I always did wedding, baby shower, wedding shower themed parties. I always did redesigns for family and friends and my husband and I have always been helping people reconstruct their homes.

I guess it was just a matter of time that we are running our own staging business and loving every minute of it 

Phyllis Pafumi

Jun 02, 2007 11:25 PM
Anonymous
Carol Ellis Luxury-Domain to Home Stage

I have a corporate background with GE and Xerox and degrees in marketing and finance and MBA studies.  I have had my own antique biz for years, and had a penchant for decorating as long as I can remember.  Staging is challenging in this part of the country because it is new and "any new idea around here is an act of aggression."  I have done charity fund raising, am an environmental activist, a mom and now a grandmother (FINALLY).  Persistance and determination pay off in all areas of what I have done and now staging.

Carol Ellis

Jun 03, 2007 12:16 AM
#14
Sandi Gerrard
Toronto, ON

I was an administrative assistant for a major Canadian law firm, in the Trademarks & Copyright section, for about 13 years.  Then I spent 5 years in the Marketing Department of the same firm (as Coordinator and Project Manager).  I was just itching to do something else, something creative and for myself.  I'd always had a passion for beautiful rooms so redesign & staging seemed like a natural fit.

 

Jun 03, 2007 12:36 AM
Isabel Gomes
Gomes Design - London, ON
Interior Decorator, Stager - London, Ont
I studied business at college. Was an administrative assistant until '91 when I had my first child.  Then 3 more every year after that. Managed, and still do, my husbands medical practice. Manage my own rental investment properties. Continually volunteer at the schools and church.  And now have added to my list, Homes staging and Interior Decorating and Design.  I think though I may have to delegate some work.
Jun 03, 2007 12:11 PM
Anonymous
Michele Kurelich Lasting Impressions byMichele

I majored in Business Informations Systems and was a Software Devleoper.  I had many jobs before that to get me there:)  Moved to Europe for several years and got into interior design when I came back to the States.  Never had my own business though and I love working for myself.  It's a winding path to get me to this point, but I love it!

Jun 03, 2007 01:36 PM
#17
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

Artist, teacher, mom, teacher, stager and still a teacher...... :))))))))))))) Not quiting my day job just yet.

Jun 03, 2007 04:43 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"
  • Real estate agent & house flipper 
  • Sales & marketing ~ American Airlines
  • Bed & Breakfast proprieter ~ Irish countryside
  • Manager of University of Limerick accommodation ~ Ireland
  • Manager of Stanford University's Guest House
  • Professional Stager
  • And always ~ Mom ~ & Dog Lover!
Jun 03, 2007 05:19 PM
Penny Schoenbeck
AZ Home Styling & Redesign - Mesa, AZ
AZ Home Styling

Hi Teri,

I was Manager of Pier 1 Imports for over 10 years. I've always wanted to own my own business and after doing visual merchandising for 10 years, it seemed like the perfact match for me. I've always had a love for decorating and merchadising so when I heard about staging I knew immediatly that was the business for me! I still work part time at Pier 1 as an Asst. Manager, I just can't seem to give up that discount!  

Jun 03, 2007 05:41 PM
Betty Haney
Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB
I was an elementary school teacher for twenty years until I retired.  My sister had recently taken a course on staging and all she could talk about was how much fun it was.  I was very jealous about all the fun she was having and when she asked me to join her, I jumped at the chance.  No regrets - love the job.  Betty
Jun 03, 2007 06:01 PM
Teri B. Clark
http://www.teribclark.com - Sanford, NC
I'm glad to hear from all of you! I love how so many different people with different backgrounds have come to love home staging!
Jun 16, 2007 03:58 AM
Nicola Lindsay
Nicola Lindsay ReDesign and Home Staging - Saint Stephen, NB
CRSS
Let's keep adding, I was a hair stylist and Master Colorist for 32 years with my own salon. I had had enough hair for one lifetime (had hair balls just like a cat) and while working with my hubby all those years part time in his business of flooring, upholstery and custom blinds, I knew I loved interior design. This came along just at the right time. I am eager to please clients and love the challange of staging anf ReDesign too. This is  a dream for me and I am jumping right in to my eyeballs. Did I mention I love it? Smiles
Jun 16, 2007 08:31 AM
Anthea Click
Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com - Franklin, TN
Nashville Home Stager - Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly!

Teri,

I was/am a real estate agent and a Mom. With Mom being the best job I have ever had - and the hardest! I realized I've been staging most of my life, just didn't know that was hat it was called. I wanted to get into staging because that is where my passion lies. I just love it!

Jun 18, 2007 07:22 AM
Stephanie Heron
Dressing Rooms LLC - Scottsdale, AZ
Weeber - Dressing Rooms

Thanks for the laugh Nicola - when I read about the hair balls I nearly spat my dulce de leche frappuccino all over my keyboard!

Stephanie

Jun 18, 2007 09:55 AM
Teri B. Clark
http://www.teribclark.com - Sanford, NC
Wonderful comments - anyone else care to join in and let us know how you got started?
Jun 25, 2007 04:01 AM
Anonymous
ro134ck
m503k
Jul 02, 2007 06:46 AM
#27