ashsr: Another Home Staging tool worth checking out - 03/29/09 05:22 AM
It's funny how things cross paths.  It's been said before that there are no coincidents.  HHHMMMM....  My husband, Tim, does home improvement and handy-man services around northern Atlanta, which has been great because he is my 'handy-man' referral on my written consultations for home staging clients.  He is also a recommended vendor for our Metro-Atlanta ASHSR chapter. We've created that opportunity for things to cross paths for us, but this situation was really cool.
Recently he was hired, by referral from one of his other clients, to replace doors for a man in Roswell.  Through conversation, and mentioning my home staging … (21 comments)

ashsr: New ASHSR Chapter President for a New Year - 02/19/09 01:26 AM
 
In December, we announced the change in leadership for our Metro Atlanta ASHSR chapter from myself to Annette Burnett of Sellers Advantage Home Staging from Johns Creek.  Our first meeting of the new year was also Annette's first official meeting as our new leader---and she rocks!  Special thanks to Brook Furniture Rental for hosting our meeting, AGAIN.  =)  They've been very supportive of our chapter from the beginning.
Our agenda for the meeting included ideas for projects for the chapter to do together, in an effort to EDUCATE the consumer about what we do as home stagers but to also … (2 comments)

ashsr: Metro Atlanta ASHSR Chapter Changes Hands - 01/08/09 03:26 AM
In December of 2007, after joining the newly established American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners, I volunteered to start up the first ASHSR chapter in Georgia:  The Metro Atlanta Chapter. 

My goal was to bring together as many home stagers in the Atlanta area as I could for the purpose of networking, support and education.  Our members stretched as far north as John's Creek, as far east as Lake Oconee, as far south as Newnan and as far west as Smyrna.  Our chapter membership more than doubled over the year with some thanks to the increase in new HSR … (7 comments)

ashsr: Creating a One-Stop-Shop Solution for Homesellers - 10/22/08 09:24 AM


 
 
 
 
 
 
Networking is a key factor to owning a successful home staging business.  While there are many opportunities to have repeat business, in a market like we have today, there's no guarantee that previous clients can be relied upon for subsequential business.  That's where networking becomes invaluable because, like every other service business, it's those referrals that will get the business before the random company from the yellow pages.
It's been said before that the real estate professional and the home stager make a great team to successfully prepare and market a home for … (4 comments)

ashsr: Atlanta Home Stagers: A Rug Resource For You - 09/25/08 02:09 AM
With special thanks to Annette Burnett of Sellers Advantage Home Staging in John's Creek, GA for making the connection, the Metro Atlanta chapter of ASHSR met on September 24 for it's monthly meeting at Liberty Oriental Rugs in Norcross, GA.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
{l to r:  Kathy Lockwood, Jeanne Nolan, Jennifer Lybeer, Annette Burnett, Abby Reilly, Stacie Stamper;  Rowan in front}  We look tiny in front of that beautiful 9'x12' rug.
Our host, Stacie Stamper, gave us a guided tour of their warehouse, which is open only to the trade, … (3 comments)

ashsr: Thinking about becoming a Home Stager? Consult with the Pros first. - 08/21/08 12:59 PM
If you are deciding whether or not a career as a home stager is right for you, then you have some HW to do.  The internet is the perfect place to begin your search.  Make sure you have some paper and a pen ready to take notes.  A nice cup of coffee would work well, too!  Take your time because you are considering starting a business and these things take time.
The first thing that will jump out are the numerous home staging training companies.  Research them carefully to find out which one works best for you, your needs and your budget.   … (20 comments)

ashsr: A Phisher turned out to be an Interviewer! - 06/17/08 03:10 PM
I was picking up my daughter this afternoon when I saw that I had 2 new voicemails.  I didn't recall my phone ringing although having my son and my neighbor's daughter in car while they were playing the Sweenie Todd soundtrack might have been the reason I didn't hear it!  As I sat and waited for Kate's bus to arrive, I checked my new messages.
First call:  My neighbor verifying the address to where I was dropping her daughter off to.  OK, great...I was waiting for that information!
Second call:  It was 'Bob' looking for some information about Home Staging and could I call him back.  … (16 comments)

ashsr: Atlanta has some really great stagers! - 06/07/08 04:11 PM
Yes, it is true...Atlanta has some really great home stagers.  Not just great talent, but truly great people!  Some of the nicest people I have ever met have been over the last year and half as a home stager.  It's definately become a nice perk!
This past February, our tiny ASHSR chapter here in Atlanta met for the second time and one of the topics discussed was doing a project to give back to the community.  For all intents and purposes, it was a way for us to work on something together as a team while paying it forward to those … (7 comments)

ashsr: A Lasting Impression - 05/07/08 07:31 AM
Most of us will go through our lives meeting many people from all walks of life. 
Those of us that provide a service, like myself being a Home Stager, we continually have the opportunity to meet new people on an almost daily basis.  Some of them will be short term working relationships and others may blossom into long term working relationships.  A few may even develop into solid friendships.  I've been lucky enough to go through my career and end up with a few of those.
For those of us who come from previous corporate backgrounds, you typically work with the same group … (10 comments)

ashsr: I 'Launched' and loved every minute of it - 04/23/08 07:30 AM
Last year when I began my home staging business in Atlanta, I began my search for new and innovative ways to network and get my name out there to the public.  Networking is a challenge to begin with but when you are new to a city with a local network that can be counted on one hand, there is that added challenge to over come.  I was on a mission to beat that challenge!  =)
Active Rain was a great beginning for me although it has taken me time to really meet people on a more local level.  AR has really helped with … (3 comments)

ashsr: Brook Furniture hosts Metro Atlanta ASHSR chapter meeting - 03/12/08 08:53 AM
Brook Furniture was one of the first contacts I made as a home stager.  They spent their time walking me through the warehouse, showing me their product, how the pricing works and gave me literature.  I remember walking out of there feeling so good to have that kind of contact.  They continue to reach out to new home stagers in Atlanta to show them their product and how to create working relationships with them. 
Based upon conversations from the last couple of chapter meetings, I decided to reach out to Brook to see if they'd host an ASHSR chapter meeting.  Lucky enough, … (1 comments)

ashsr: Part II: Bathrooms; Atlanta Home and Design Show - 02/28/08 07:17 AM
 
If you had a minute to catch the prelude to this post, I ran through some of the design trends being seen in kitchens, according to Sarah Fishburn, Manager of Design and Trends for Expo, at the Perimeter location.
Go ahead and kick back with a cup of coffee if you didn't...it's a bit long but she had so much information to share!  (Sorry about that!)
So here we go with Part II:  Bathroom trends.
The most important to remember about bathrooms, Master bathrooms in particular, is that they are designed for YOU (meaning the homeowner...) as it's a personal retreat.  It's polar opposite … (5 comments)

ashsr: More about Press Releases - 02/19/08 08:40 AM
This has been a topic that's been brought up before and something I think is worth addressing again. 
Actually, Press Releases were an action item brought up at the previous Metro Atlanta ASHSR chapter meeting.  Members wanted more information about writing them and thought it was a great topic to bring back to the ASHSR forum.
A month or so ago, Amber Langston wrote a great blog about Press Releases.  I've used it as food for thought as she has some really great information to share.  It's become a thorn in my side because I haven't actually had the time to sit down to … (3 comments)

ashsr: New Stager Introduction - 01/08/08 07:49 AM
I had the pleasure of meeting Laura Jones of Accent Home Staging based out of Woodstock, GA today at the very first ASHSR Metro Atlanta Chapter Meeting.  {Ironically, we live in the same town and never met before!}  She is a partner with Amy Powers, who is also an AR member and an SIF member.
Please welcome Laura to AR...I've encouraged her to browse all the amazing groups to join here on AR but told her SIF is a MUST!  =)  I hope we'll be hearing from her soon!
Thanks!
 
… (7 comments)

ashsr: Metro Atlanta ASHSR Chapter - 12/18/07 01:57 PM
 
 
The Metro Atlanta ASHSR (American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners) Chapter is finally formed and coming together.  The first introductory meeting is being held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.
Although this meeting is the first time current members will be meeting, any Atlanta area home stagers that might be interested in joining the chapter are welcome to attend.
Please contact me via ActiveRain and I will forward the information.  Please include the email to which you'd like me to reply.  All responses must be made by Friday, January 4, 2008 in order to confirm the number of attendees for the reservation.
Thank you!
~Abby
… (0 comments)