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The New Face of Professional Staging

By
Home Stager with www.Staged-to-Sell

I have to admit this blog was inspired by the comments from another blog I wrote last week http://activerain.com/blogsview/1256749/monster-project-monster-results   I am often amazed how this industry and my company has morphed into this amazing multi-level diverse profession.

If someone had told me 7 years ago when I was thinking of leaving the wine industry to start my own business that I would be soon staging homes, designing interiors and creating custom furnishings amongst other things... I would have said they were nuts!  How could I possibly be doing that when I have been a marketeer and brand director for most of my life. You can't simply just go out and start something completely different at 40 in a field that you didn't even know existed, can you?

We'll I guess I proved myself wrong - and others in our industry are continuing to prove me wrong time and time againProfessional Stagers are no longer a person or team that comes into a home and makes end tables from garbage cans with table cloths (not sure we ever really were that), but it has morphed into a wonderful industry of professionals who are educated business people with diverse businesses. If we choose to be, we can provide services for whatever the homeowner needs, whether they are selling or staying in their homes.

The Home Staging professional of today can be master marketing, interior designer, personal shopper, furniture designer, contractor, project manager, author, speaker, and product developer. We are only limited by our own minds and time. Last week alone I worked on four interior design projects, project managed a kitchen remodel, conducted two large stagings and one enhancement staging and spoke at a local event about a book that I was professional adviser for by Nolo Press on selling a house in a tough market. 

Now you tell me what other job in the world would provide me with that kind of diversity? My English born husband always says how lucky we are to live in the United States where opportunities are everywhere. We can do whatever we want. We are only limited by ourselves which means we have no limits.

Last night I had a dinner party for one of my favorite Realtors Denise Papas of J. Rockcliff Realty. In attendance was also the Foster Family whose house I staged last year in Castro Valley which sold in a matter of days. Denise found them a house right down the street from me in Danville and they are now our neighbors. They walked over for dinner and we sat in the back yard last night having a grand time talking about lives, schools and what else - if I had time to come over and talk about some ideas for their house. A the Professional Stager - nice gig.

Show All Comments Sort:
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

Kym, a well presented introduction to the business, and rather timely. I am supposed to meet with a friend tomorrow that's just getting started both in AR and in the home-staging business. I've bookmarked your post to help her. Thank you

Sep 27, 2009 04:35 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Wow, this really hit home for me.  I too started in this business without really fully understanding it's potential.  It is a very satisfying career and each time I help a homeowner, I leave feeling good about what I have done.  That is what I love most about what I do...the ability to express my creativity and the knowledge I have been helpful to others.

Sep 27, 2009 04:53 AM
Lori Kim Polk
Premiere Home Staging : Home Staging Services - Roseville, CA
Home Stager - Roseville, Sacramento

"morphed into a wonderful industry of professionals who are educated business people with diverse businesses".  Boy you said that right! There are so many people who are still stopped at the stop light.  Aren't you glad that you took that "right" turn and went around the traffic jam. LOL ;))

Sep 27, 2009 07:16 AM
Connie Tebyani
Platinum Home Staging, Inc. : RESA-Pro - Calabasas, CA
Platinum Home Staging, Los Angeles and Ventura County

You hit the nail on the head for me as well, Kym.  Who would have though that 3 years ago when I actually started promoting what I do as my "business" that it would have morphed into what I do today.   (BTW - my jaw is still dragging on the floor) ;P

Sep 27, 2009 02:46 PM
the Chris & Lisa Grus Team
Premier Realty Exclusive - Saint Louis, MO
GRI, e-PRO

Great success story!  Our career in real estate has a similarly beginning which continues to amaze me.

You make the staging business seem very exciting and diverse.  I'll be following your posts :)

Sep 27, 2009 03:10 PM
Tammy Mercado
Debra's Designs Home Staging & Redesign - Centerville, OH
Dayton Ohio Home Stager

Thanks for that inspiring message.  I am getting started in this industry and it gave me great energy reading your post!! ...for that, THANK YOU! 

Sep 28, 2009 01:45 PM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

When I think about the beginning, and what has happened since then, it is mind blowing for me.  Every day is a new day, with new challenges, but who doesn't like a good challenge.

Sep 28, 2009 05:37 PM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Well said Kym!  I like this sentence here: We are only limited by ourselves which means we have no limits

Sep 30, 2009 06:58 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTORĀ® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Kym,

Congratulations on your accomplishments and your success story. Design can an embrace so many complimentary and engaging activities and when your doing something you love it's amazing what you can do!

Peace,

Sep 30, 2009 07:10 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Your post really hit home for me too Kym.  If I had known 2 1/2 years ago where I'd be today, I don't think I would have believed it.  Mind you, it's a lot of on-going, hard work but I don't regret a minute of it.  Thanks for writing this great post! 

Sep 30, 2009 09:42 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kym- late coming into this post but am in total agreement.  It has truly morphed into a group of professionals.  It's no longer about walking in with crates and lots of white sheets or blow-up beds.  There's so much a Professional Stager can offer a Seller or any other homeowner.  Congrats to you for your accomplishments!

Oct 08, 2009 08:36 AM
Welcome Home Staging & Furniture Rental
Valesca Bogard - Roseville, CA

So very true Kym.The professional stagers that continue to grow their business have multiple talents. Additionally, most have grown their teams and resources to provide exemplary service to the client. 

I appreciated you including :"We are only limited by our own minds and time." Now, if we didn't have to sleep

Nov 17, 2009 08:11 AM
Cari Anderson
Danville, CA

Kym: you never know where life is going to take you. Congrats and I can tell that you really love what you do. I'm sure I've been in homes on Thursday broker tour recently that you've staged and will be in the future. I hope to run into you sometime in "the field." Have a fantastic day!

~Cari

Mar 04, 2010 04:15 AM
Anonymous
Zyah
Too many compliments too little space, thnaks!
Nov 11, 2011 07:34 PM
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