Back in the day, when I had just started my new business, I struggled with defining my bio for my brochure.   Yes, I had taken specialty redesign & staging training, yet I didn't have a degree in Design, but rather a degree in Psychology.  My naivety pressed me to think that my degree would be meaningless to my prospects.

Little did I know that one of my greatest assets in the success of my business has been that wonderful degree!  And because I quickly discovered that what I did for a living, yes, required me to have great decorative and creative skills, more importantly was my aptitude and understanding of the psychology of people.

...I'm not a home stager, I'm your house shrink!

I can't stress the absolute significance of refining your skills to include an in-depth education in understanding your clients and prospects.   Whether you are meeting with a Realtor as a potential associate, conducting a Staging Evaluation, or talking to a reporter or producer on the phone - One of the main components to your trade success - is that you understand the needs and personality types of not only your clients, but those associated to your business.

How do your honed skills benefit your business?  The list is endless... 

•·         We are in the business advising and consulting homeowners regarding the most expensive purchase they ever made, and likely a majority slice of their net worth; as well as their safe haven and emotional grounding- board.   Knowing their personality type is a crucial element in not only conducting one-on-one business with them, but also how you creatively and productively provide your services for them.

•·         We are in the business as being a reliable and educated resource for our Business Associates, helping them create a better revenue stream and professional image.  Understanding your associates' personalities, how they conduct business and how you can morph your skill and service set to benefit their business style is a crucial component to your business philosophy and plan.

•·         We are in the business of understanding what the latest trends are in consumer spending and needs in the Home & Garden arena.  Having sharp listening, communication and trend spotting skills allows you to be on the cutting-edge of your industry and serve your clients well.

•·         For business success, one has to been able to network and promote themselves in the community and media.  Understanding how to effectively pursue these key associations, and create a long term relationship with them allows you to become the go-to resource - Keeping you in the Public's Eye.

How do you refine these skills? There are so many resources available. 

•·         Learn through Industry Mentoring.   Find someone in the industry that is an expert and learn from them.  The best education is to be educated by someone like you.

•·         Take courses in psychology and use your to-the-trade only resource partners' educational forums.  Many of your business or industry partners have wonderful education workshops on this subject - One of my favorite ones came from a window hardware company!

•·         Be a voracious reader - Take the time to be a student of text.  I dug up an awesome Doctoral Thesis on the psychology of the home buyer as it pertained to model homes, and found in its bibliography an eye awakening book on the social psychology of home decorating and design.

Since 1999, Interior Stylist Julea Joseph has owned Chicago area based design and staging business - Reinventing Space.  Your seen her on HGTV or Chicago Tribune's CLTV giving homeowners expert insight on how to refresh, style and celebrate their space -Whether prepping their home to go on the market, just settling in, or just in need of a change. Julea also offers educational services to Realtors and Home Stagers in the industry.