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Barb's Schwarz's New Book Reveals Home Staging Business is NOT "Pretty" Hocus Pocus!

A few weeks back I posted an announcement of the soon to be released book by Barb Schwarz (grand dame' of home staging) entitled: "Building a Successful Home Staging Business."

So I now have read Barb's new book and here is my promised "Book Review".

First, while I did not agree with everything she writes of... I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised. I found this book to be MUCH better than I expected!

I think Barb masterfully walked the "line" I spoke of in my original post. Readers of this book will find it well written and NOT a "big ego dump" and "fluffy piece of advertising" for her workshops... which were some of the complaints about her last book entitled: "Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money."

This new book is more of a "How About" as opposed to a "How To" operate a home staging business. It is a nice overview for anyone interested in getting into the business. However, if you have have owned and operated a homes staging business... much of what she reveals is no great new news.

For the budding stager the book is a nice summary of the trials, tribulations and necessities involved with starting a home staging business. Barb makes it clear this business is NOT just having the talent to "redecorating a room". This is KEY point that I totally agree with... as I think many people are first attracted into this business because they see it as a way to utilize and tap into their desire to apply their creative flair and decorating passion.

The cold hard reality of STARTING, OPERATING, and MAINTAINING a business is often an afterthought for people who get into the home staging (or any) business. From this book, readers will surely get that the "glamorous staging" work is REALLY about being an entrepreneur that has to work hard at developing their home staging business.

So while I was glad to read this that she says it takes work to own and operate a home staging business, I have to say the book is a little too simplistic and idolized about what it actually does take. I think that some of what Barb shares is really not comprehensive enough and a little glossed over (ie Chapter 3 "Your Business Plan" - only 8 pages long) and some of what she shares would be GREAT advice if we operated in a perfect world and a perfect marketplace where there was NO competition. But again, I was glad to see that Barb was clear about the fact that starting and running a home staging business is not magic. She lets the reader know it is a combination of talent, a lot of hard work, perseverance and a little bit of luck.

So I would say... all in all Barb's new book is a nice OVERVIEW for those considering opening a home staging businesses, but NOT a detailed ROADMAP for those of you already in the industry. There is so much more that can, needs and will be said to move your businesses and this industry to higher levels.

In fact much of what needs to be shared and said can be found right here in our group Stage It Forward...

PS: RIGHT after reading Barb's Overview I recommend you read a good MEATY book on starting and operating a small business. This book is a CLASSIC... The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work & What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber

This Blog made its way to The Hawaii Channel

Posted by Craig Schiller on 06/02/2007 11:50 AM

Comments (23)

home staging, staged homes, home staging industry, barb schwarz, home staging business, staging community, staging training

Originally posted at: Real Estate Staging / Home Staging Blog: Barb's Schwarz's New Book Reveals Home Staging Business is NOT "Pretty" Hocus Pocus!

23 Comments on Barb's Schwarz's New Book Reveals Home Staging Business is NOT "Pretty" Hocus Pocus!

JUN

2007

Craig, your critique is well-written and objective, without personal bias.

I think it might be difficult to write a detailed road map for a successful home staging business; we all live in totally different economic climates that effect our outcomes.

Sue,

The "sizzle" on the back cover of the book is a bit different than the actual content. THAT would be my only complaint. I quote: "...this practical guide will show you exactly how to set up a Home Staging business, and help you run and maintain the business as it grows..."

And thanks... I do think credit is due where credit is due.

All in all I did like the book... for the audience that would REALLY get somethign from it. That audience IS an important part of the future growth of this industry.

I think this is a great idea. I am glad you have this book out there now. I see many people not really thinking this is an issue or worth the money. I will refer people over to you for the book.

Best of luck.

Craig - I think you should publish a Stage it Forward book. It could be a collection of all your blogs with some guest blogs sprinkled in for good measure. I think it would be an instant must have.

Craig thanks for the review of the book. I like the above suggestion about publishing a Stage It Forward book. What to expect in the staging industry.

Thanks so much for the summary Craig. And funny enough, you took the words right out of my mouth when you stated ...

"In fact much of what needs to be shared and said can be found right here in our group Stage It Forward..."

Just as valuable as the blogs, is the wealth of information in the comments. There have been so many clever solutions and ideas left in the responses. Gleaning them, along with the blogs, would make a best-seller!

Craig, what do you say - are you up to writing a book? Your fans at Active Rain would buy it and recommend it to all their friends and family. Come on - do it.... Betty

Thanks for sharing your book review Craig. I was curious to see how she would handle it.

JUN

2007

Craig,

Since coming to AR, I have found THE MOST HELPFUL staging forum I can imagine, for FREE. The "other one" I paid lots of money for was the fluffy thing that laid a foundation without which I would not be staging at all, so gratitude is in order there too, for the contribution has significantly formed our industry. Thank you for your review and all of your fine entrepreneurial insights and endeavors. AND UP with E-Myth too!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book;

and I agree with Maureen! I would definately buy a "Stage it Forward" book...

I think that would give many stagers direction, advice, enthusiasm as well as realism. In the meantime, thanks for founding this group

Julia

Craig: Thank you for your thoughtful and well-balanced review of Barb's book. You just saved me (and I am sure a number of other people who will read your review) $25 - or whatever it costs - to purchase the book. And I agree that Active Rain and Stage it Forward contain more valuable information than any 100 books.

Thank you again.

Stage it forward would be an awesome book. Thanks for the review and other book recommendation Craig. :)

Gloss over the business plan aspect of our business? Hmmm, that must be why I've been in the business for over 14 years and only once encountered someone with a written business plan!

I enjoyed your book review. I am a newbie AR, but it already is giving me helpful information when it comes to my home staging business.

Thanks,

So Craig would you then agree that while Barb's comments were a bit simplistic, that mine on my Blog...The business of staging is a bit more precise when I say IT SUCKS? LOL

That would be a great title for your book, can I write a chapter? Everyone thinks this is an easy business with an easy way to make a ton of money. It is a GREAT business and I LOVE IT, but this is NOT EASY. I am working 24/7 as you and many of us are.

It never ends..thankfully because that means our businesses are growing and are successful. When I took a business course, and yes I wrote a business plan, it was mandatory, my teacher said be prepared to lose friends, get family upset and eat and breathe your business. If you cannot handle it, get up and leave now!! How true! Staging day is the EASY PART...it's the getting there that's tough

Phyllis pafumi

JUN

2007

Thanks Craig for the review and the reminder that much of what I know about staging came from being on and playing in the rain.

Phyllis: Hear! Hear! The Staging is the fun after ALL THE WORK!!! (None of which is glamorous or fun, even the paid shopping)

Thank you Craig for your review. Not all stagers are at the same place in the evolution of their business. You have those who have been in the corporate world and completely understand the complexities of business plans, profit and loss projections, etc. I found this book to be a good bridge for many on both extemes of the needle. I found the book to be a great intro for the non-corporate types and takes away the fear of the business side of staging. Many truths put in to verbiage that all can comprehend and find useful in the development of a successful staging business. Kudos to Barb and kudos to you for your fair and unbiased review. Thanks!

JUN

2007

Hi Craig - Thank you for your review.

Like any other book, each person will pick and choose what is helpful to them based on where they are in their business life-cycle and what their specific experience and skill sets are. I enjoyed sections of the book, but (and maybe it's just me), I got a little tired of her reference to her inventing staging. Enough already...we know you're a pioneer. Few too many "I's" in the book...but good info nonetheless.

Susan

I'd say you staged your review like a professional would. Uncluttered, un-biased, objective (not subjective) and well thought out. Thanks for your well organized assessment in a neutralized manner that is honest and forthright to many potential buyers. You did your homework!

JUN

2007

Thanks for posting the review. After the initial posting about the book this one was a bit anticlimactic and a WELCOME change to the weather on the AR Site. Since I was teaching a class out of town when this was posted, I did not realize it was here and as promised read your review, and I have read the book too. I agree with most of what you shared.

- Jennie

SEP

2007

Ok I confess, I just recently bought this book (for 30 bucks Canadian no less) and well Craig, in my mind, your blog is farrrrr too kind.

I was disappointed in it. I found it to be "Me Me Me" and " I I I " to death! The chapters that would start with "Me" I found myself quickly turning to the next chapter. Not even interested in what she had to say.

Her ideas on Rafia, and hanging stuffed animals in the bathroom, and greenery hanging from light fixtures astonished me! Talk about TACKY! With home staging, isn't all about "removing the tackiness"? In my mind, yes. So, I will not go in and create more. I didn't find the pictures of the work posted in the book, nicely done at all. This is a sneak peek of what she teaches? Wow!

It amazes me you didn't find the book all about "her", I would seriously hate to see the other books she has wrote. This one was plenty enough of Barb for me.

Oh and anyone know the return policy of Chapters?

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