Not too long ago, Tina Parker posted a blog that posed the question is there Karma in business?
Well, I can 
answer that undoubtedly YES!!
Last week I received a sad phone call from an investor client of mine who explained to me that some of his investments had gone bad and he needed to cut corners in order to get his business back on track. So what gets cut first? The staging of course.
The two week point of the second month of our rental agreement was coming that weekend - Saturday. He said he would do his best to pay me for the two weeks and was there any way I could leave it in through Sunday night - after the open house. Unfortunately the house contained 2 pieces of furniture that belonged to another stager and I couldn't grant that without her permission. As soon as that stager heard 'We may not get paid' she couldn't get her stuff out fast enough.
I, however, had a dilemna. I knew without a doubt that the staging would help sell that house - and he NEEDED to sell. Do I stand behind my work and give him an extra day, or do I bolt for possible lack of payment? Really, what was one more day going to hurt if I was going to lose 2 weeks of rental fees? I didn't have another vacant scheduled for that week, so I really didn't desperately need the inventory back.
Well, I decided to leave it in for the extra day. The two pieces that were removed turned out to be inconsequencial as a little rearranging filled in the gap. I had Monday free with nothing scheduled until Tuesday, so the destaging turned out to be a breeze. And guess what happened? Before I was done packing up, I had two new appointments on the books for the next day - for vacants. Plus, I have gained a client for life as my investor swears I will be the only stager he ever hires and is singing my praises to his real estate team. Why? Not because I did him a favor, but because he says "It's nice to know that someone is willing to stand behind what they do and are motivated by more than just money."
I won both bids and will be staging them both next week. Now, I actually need more furniture, but that's another story... Anyway, I believe a little good will goes a long way and you will be rewarded in the end.
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