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"the dress, the necklace and flip flops?"

By
Home Stager with Martin Designs

Working on redesign projects can be challenging but with the right design skills, patience and a good contract with set policies and procedures your business can go a long way.  Once completing the 3 week design course with Kimberley Seldon, one of the gurus of the Canadian design world, all types of questions were answered and a new vision to run a smooth business took place.

Kimberley had a wealth of information to share with us during our courses that were held at Designer's Walk, in downtown Toronto.  Kimberley is often seen on our local Cityline TV show and she is also design editor of Style at Home Magazine.

The knowledge that was brought to our businesses was invaluable.  Her million dollar question helped us determine a budget a client may have "do you have $1,000 or $1 million - what a way to break the ice and ask how big a job will be.  Using Kimberley's quote, " you have the dress, the necklace and now flip flops"?  It really does put things into perspective for the client so they can understand how we are seeing the project move ahead when they may not be on the same page.  I love using analogies...Susan of Martin Designs with Kimberley Seldon

Comments (10)

Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Susan:  What a great story, and what a great intro into your staging and design business.  Very interesting.  It sounds like you really enjoy doing what you do.  How cool !

Nov 23, 2009 02:10 AM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

Great analogy Susan. Thank you for sharing this cute line!

Nov 23, 2009 02:56 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Fun story Susan.  I love the BUDGET range question ...will use that.  Thanks for sharing. 

Nov 23, 2009 03:56 AM
Susan Crema-Martin
Martin Designs - Sharon, ON

thanks for the comments, I love my job, it is truly my passion.  Writing on ActiveRain is fairly new to me, so hopefully I can continue to share some of my stories from Canada :)

If we can learn something new each day - it is a gift

 

Nov 23, 2009 08:52 AM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

AMAZING-I love this and I will be using this!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

Nov 23, 2009 02:07 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Around here people wear flip flops year round so they probably would think that was ok...lol

Nov 23, 2009 07:24 PM
Monica Stanciu
Staged 2 Sell Solutions Inc. - Markham, ON
Staged 2 Sell Solutions, Markham, ON

Hi Sue!

 

Forgot this analogy from Kmberley. I iwll definitely use it with my clients. Andthe Rogers too:)

Thanks for sharing.

Nov 23, 2009 10:51 PM
Kathleen Garvey
HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Denver - Denver, CO
Denver's Neighborhood Expert - Listings & Sales

Hi Sue--I see you are located in Canada...here in Florida, flip flops and pearls would not turn a head.  : )   using analogies is important when making your point....I use them all the time.

Nov 23, 2009 11:20 PM
Kim Dillon
Creative Eye Home Staging - West Chester, PA

I read the million dollar question in a blog last week.  Loved that quote! 

Nov 24, 2009 01:18 AM
Kimberley Hawley
Hawley Interiors & Staging - Caledon, ON
Hawley Interiors & Staging

Hi Susan, I did the business of design with Kimberley Seldon and it's excellent. Helped me alot.  Kim

Nov 24, 2009 07:53 AM