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Active Rain created One Stage for an entirely new industry

The guys that created Active Rain might not realize it (and I KNOW they definitely did not intend it) but they have created something wonderful.

They have created a stage so that the voices of an entire industry, only in its infancy and struggling to be heard, could be heard. That industry is the Home Staging Industry. And today is going to be a VERY special day for all home stagers that utilize Active Rain as a resource for fresh and helpful industry information. We stagers here on Active Rain are welcoming our 500th stager... and THAT is a HUGE milestone for home staging! And that 500th Active Rain stager is Nicola Lindsay Redesign.

If you are NOT a home stager, I do not think you can fully comprehend how significant this milestone is and what Active Rain is doing for our very young industry.

You see prior to Active Rain there was no one place that any and all stagers could freely go to and share information with their colleagues. Many of the company's that provide foundation training in home staging have turned their backs to and would not acknowledge any of their fellows who did not have the same training as they provided... and definitely would not share ideas... or even a compliment!

Active Rain has shattered all that, and has allowed the voices of ALL STAGERS to be heard and RESPECTED. Here ALL stagers are welcome! I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful place.

SO MY HAT'S OFF... to Active Rain and the other 499 stagers who create ONE VOICE on this Stage. YOU ARE ALL SENSATIONAL.

Stage It Forward...

PS: If that smiling face above looks familiar, that is because through the miracle of PhotoShop it is Marci Toliver, the person I call "The Smile of Home Staging". Marci embodies professionalism. She lives and is what more of the leaders of this industry could be... kind, respectful and welcoming to ALL who have and will make home staging their career.

Posted by Craig Schiller on 03/08/2007 12:41 AM

Comments (32)

home staging, home staging industry, activerain, best practices, generosity, staging community, staged homes, staging, professional staging

Originally posted at: Real Estate Staging / Home Staging Blog: Active Rain created One Stage for an entirely new industry

32 Comments on Active Rain created One Stage for an entirely new industry

MAR

2007

Nice tribute Craig.

I said "Hey, that looks just like Marci!" And it is Marci...what a gift you have given her Craig. No one in the rain is going to disagree with you. Marci is the our sunshine . I can't wait for her to see this!!! Congratulations to us for Staging If Forward! And Craig...I can't put into words what you have done for me just by reaching out. You are the best.

I know I am going to be bombarded with emails because I just check the 'notify me' box but I want to see what everyone has to say.

Great point. Whatever AR has/will do for Realtors and Lenders, it likely doesn't compare to what it has done for the stagers!

Oh Marci, you look so good in gold! Thanks to Marci, I was able to find this fantastic group. The spirit of sharing is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Thank you everyone!

Craig, there is no question in my mind that you are correct on this one. No question.

Bravo! Standing Ovation!

I think you are absolutely correct. It not only gave the home stagers a forum, it introduced their world to us. I have learned a lot from that group in the last month alone.

WOW! What a way to wake up! I never knew I looked so good in GOLD!! Thanks Craig!

I got to let my mom see this! That picture looks just like my mom!

AR has truly given me a voice! I dont know what I would have done without AR! Val & Cheryl call me a marketing guru but had I not found the Rain, I dont know where I would have been.

I found mentors who would answer any question that I posed to them...Thank you all! You know who you are!

I'll second Randy - we have learned so much from you, Craig, about staging, and photography, and many other things. It's great when all of us can benefit.

Craig - I am honored to share the stage with someone of your caliber!

Over a year ago, I searched and searched for a forum such as this where I could learn, share ideas, etc... Fortunately for me, I kept up my search and found my way to AR.

I think it's safe to say that we've all benefited tremendously with the existance of this site. And Craig, you've played such a critical role - Thank You!

Marci - you DO look good in gold!

Kathy

Craig,

Your posts are a joy to read. Always upbeat, always some incredible photoshop example. Nice tribute to both AR and Marci.

Wow....congrats on reaching 500. There are many more to come. This site is great for all kinds and that's the beauty of it.

I've only been here a month or so, and what I've learned is priceless. Love and support, did I mention that? Priceless too. Everyone is very welcoming :>) THANK YOU ALL. :...))

Sue Argue

Aside from learning more about staging from you, Craig, you've added so much to the fun and spirit of the Rain. Now when I take photos in a listing, I consider WWCD ... "what would Craig do?". OK, no ceilings!

LOVE it!!! You are soooo right! Active Rain and the opportunity to network and share ideas has been HUGE for my business! I am not alone anymore! It's because of your wonderful blog that I even found this place...You and all the others have opened up my eyes to so very much in this industry! I'm excited to come on here each morning and have the opportunity to learn and grow!

And Marci....you need to wear GOLD more often...:) I love Craig's surprise! LOL!!

Craig,

Thanks for the post and good to hear from you again. I can echo your sentiments. ActiveRain has created a unique platform for all real estate professionals. In so doing they have help to bring together a terrific group of people like yourself. Truly singularly sensational!

Craig, wonderfully put.

I've only been a "rainer" for 2 weeks and already see the benefit. I've even sent invites to other stagers in my area to join, yes, "competitors" - I believe the more we know the more we grow and what you give out you always get back - there are those who will use and abuse but mostly I see that what goes around comes around and being open and welcoming to newcomers in any situation always makes one feel good and I have felt that here.

I look foward to the future ahead in staging and am so grateful for the support I've gotten here on Active Rain! I hope to return that support as often and whenever I can.

Craig,

I cannot imagine what the last few months would have been like for me without Active Rain. It has given me a place to learn, to gather techniques, to make friends, to get support and also a place to have my voice heard as well. I want to thank you, especially, for creating Stage It Forward and for your generous spirit. Your openness and groundedness (don't drink the Kool Aid) have given this group a sound and solid foundation on which to build and grow.

You have generously shared with us, encouraged us, and genuinely acted as a mentor to many of us. So thank you. The true measure of a person, in my not so humble opinion, is seen in what he or she does for their fellow man. You have showed us over and over what type of person you are by your actions and your willingness to share your wisdom.

Bravo, Craig for being you and helping the staging community grow to where it is today. You deserve a Standing Ovation, (and Marci, we can call Oscar, the aspired golden statue)

Because this community is based on such supportive and positive energy, I suggest if one body ever represents the staging community, it be called, SOAR,
Stagers
Of
Active
Rain.

Craig - Bravo - Excellent point, and you always say it with Style!!

Tina - SOAR! Love it!

As a newbie stager and not affiliated with any one training program, I recently joked after being on activerain for only a very short time, and finding such fabulous people and valuable information, that I wanted to add AR after my name!

It always takes someone with vision for something this grand. I don't think that Bill Gates or Paul Allen knew the true potential of Microsoft when they started it. They had a vision, made it happen and watched it evolve. Hats of to AR and its founders!

Thanks, Craig. It is a terrific educational platform for us agents, too, to get to know your industry, understand how we and our sellers can benefit, and more.

Jeff

Craig- I know you got a gold star for this post but I'd like to award you with this cookie for your commitment to home staging. I don't think all of us would still be around if it were not for your enthusiasm and encouragement. You are our fearless leader!

Marci - I know you are expecting a witty comment but I'm speechless - you do look good in gold.

Good stuff. Never reallzed an industry like staging lacked one location to share information with thousands that find this useful stuff.

Ken

This is an very interesting community. Congratulations to the 500 club!

Craig:

I see you included this post in the Stage It Forward... group. There are other groups on AR that would benefit from this post. Please consider joining and posting this to the following groups:

Home Staging

Staging Secrets

Staging Successes

Rate Your Staging Training

Craig, very nicely done and wow congrats to all the Home Stagers. I think I remember when you were the only one, here on AR. That is a great accomplishment.

It is so nice to hear such accolades. The graphics are superb. Thanks. :)

You are my hero. You rose to the challenge to unite this industry when other leaders in the industry doubted you! Thank you for being a gift and an inspiration to all of us. love kh

MAR

2007

Craig you are so creative. Her name was Marci, she was a show girl.... In a few months I have learned so much from the stagers here. The kindness and generosity of my colleagues in the rain has been nothing short of solid gold.

Wow 500!!!! That is great. I am glad to be part of active rain and am grateful for all the great people here who are so positive and generous with their time and talent! Continued success to my 499 fellow stagers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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