Inspired by Kimberly Wester's post What a Stager Really needs... Stamina, I wanted to add something else.
I have found that an important part of starting your own business is to surround your self with positive people. Try to group together with like minded people.
One of my biggest challenges in the beginning was the lack of support from my family, my husband and my friends. Everyone thought my business and ideas were good, but that was where it ended. My husband had a "show me the money" mentality. He never came out and said that but when I would come home from a consultation he would ask "How did it go?" I quickly began to realize that translated to "How much did you make?"
What I did not get from my family, I sought out in the business world. My current business partner and I were a great support for each other - we had the same goals. I aligned myself with other business owners that were willing to cheer me on - as was I willing to cheer them on. This helped to keep my spirits high and my goals attainable.
I was lucky enough to find a Realtor who wanted success for his business as much as I wanted success for mine. He knew that staging would set him apart from other Realtors, he knew he needed to step up his services to compete with others. He was the stepping stone I needed.
I am very excited to be able to host the Michigan Roundtable and thank you to those who have already responded. This is the perfect opportunity to surround your self with like minded people. I think that is why Stage it Forward has commanded such a huge following... the people here get it. That is something that I think Stagers desperately need is to know they are not talking to a brick wall. We all have the support of each other.
I was able to persevere and have gained the support from my family and my husband. But if you find yourself alone on a raft in the middle of the ocean... seek and surround your self with people who think like you.
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