Hi to all again! It's been so long since I've had the opportunity to blog and am very happy to be back!

The week of June 9th I travelled to Alexandria, Virginia and spent 60 hours in class training with Barb Schwarz herself for my continuing education. The result? I have received my Accredited Staging Professional Masters Certification and am so proud! It is the highest natinoally recognized Certification/Designation/Accreditation and the only one that is recognized by the National Assocation of Realtors!

I can proudly say that I am the first to receive the ASPM certification in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey! Very exciting for me! OK...I'm done with my horn tooting!!

Before having met Barb, I read a blog I believed was about Barb's new book, however upon further reading realized that it was really inteded to belittle the ASP/ASPM designation and Barb herself. It was complete with a gigantic string of scathing and ridiculing comments after it that made me just a touch apprehensive about meeting Barb in person.

That aside, I truly have a passion for my industry and decided that if I wanted to Master my craft, I would put the apprehensiveness aside, and learn from the Master.

Much to my delight, when I did finallly meet Barb she was warm, sweet, funny, professional, respectful, and most of all, kind. She is a person who has a passion for the industry she built and has no qualms with enthusiastically showing her passion and sharing her valuable knowledge.

For anyone who questions the intentions of Barb, I would say...email her. She is very communicative and willing to share. Aside from the fact that she created the industry, she is a wonderful person! Take the time to get to know someone before judging, that's all.

Don't always believe what you read. Take the time to investigate...

When hiring a Stager for your listing or recommending a Stager, be sure they have the only designation recognized by the NAR...ASP/ASPM. Go to www.StagedHomes.com to find a local ASP.

Thanks for reading and come back soon!

Theresa Minichiello, ASP, ASPM, IAHSP

Accredited Staging Professional Master

Stage Right! Home Staging, LLC

Hockessin, Delaware