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Why I work with a team...

By
Home Stager with First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign

As many of you know, First Impressions is a company based on a team, not individuals. And I am thankful for this everyday! I think that every stager should have a "team" of some sort. And that is exactly what AR provides. So, even if you work independently, and own individual companies, in times of emergency, you have your "team" or network, to reach out to.

Reason #1 - I am so grateful to be part of a team:

Last November, I was in the middle of staging my second $1 million + home for the same agent. I had brand new furniture delivered on a Tuesday, and the rest of the items were coming out of home that was unstaging on Wednesday. The agent had her photographer and virtual tour guy coming in on Friday - the home had to be finished by Thursday.

Tuesday afternoon, around 3ish, I receive a call from my mother. My sister had just miscarried at 7 1/2 months. This was her second child. I was with Melissa and Sue, my TEAM, when I got the call. They drove me home and said they would take care of everything. Melissa notified the movers not to call me the next day, she contacted the agent to explain the situation, and probably did a whole lot more that evening.

My family lives about an hour away from me, so I left town and honestly, did not think twice about the job. I cannot explain what a difficult time that was - I am sure some of you may unfortunately know - I would not wish that situation on anyone.

Melissa, Sue & Susan (another FI Design Specialist) rallied together and completed the job - buying whatever additional items they needed, working late into the night - I'm sure - without hesitation! No questions, no complaints, no payback necessary. And, I KNEW the home would look fabulous, the agent would be happy, and our business would continue.

The day after my sister miscarried, my brother and his wife had their first child - a healthy baby boy. So, I was out of town, unexpectedly, for a little over 2 weeks - trying to never leave my sister's side, while still doting on my newest nephew. While I was gone, Melissa and team, also covered a walk through for me, with the same agent - which I had cancelled on a few weeks earlier because my 93 year old grandmother had a heart attack and we were not sure if she would make it out of surgery, so I rushed out of town again. She did survive and is doing fine today!

Reason # 2 - See my other blog, Has this ever happened to you? which, by the way, is the same agent for all 3 of these properties - kind of ironic...

I cannot explain my gratitude for these women. The emotional support they provided during an extremely difficult time, as well as the physical support of running to my rescue for an emergency staging and un-staging.

I think we can all benefit from a team - whether you are competitors or in the same company - at times, we all need someone to help us out a little...

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Comments (11)

Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging
You know we are always there for you.  There have been times when I've had last minute deadlines and the team has stepped in to help me get it done on time as well..... It is more of a family most of the time!
Feb 08, 2008 02:35 AM
Marci Toliver
438-4642 - Mauldin, SC
Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging
Bevin- I dont know how other people do!  I would die without Tanya! I'm sorry to hear about your loss and my prayers are with your family.
Feb 08, 2008 03:25 AM
sue wilson
staging assistant - Charleston, SC

bevin- you know i'll stop whatever i'm doing to help you and melissa with anything, but you forgot my key motivation is food. so next time i see you i want a milkshake and fries.

and by the way, if ann asks you to stage another house pass it along to someone else and give yourself a break.

Feb 08, 2008 05:07 AM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Marci - thank you for thinking of us! I know how lucky you and Tanya are to have each other!

Melissa and Sue - Hey Sue! Thanks again for EVERYTHING!!

And dinner is on me next week - yall's choice. Plus - I am donating my time and labor to Melissa's stagings on Tuesday!

Feb 08, 2008 06:04 AM
Kathy Riggle
STAGING SMART N SOLD - Houston, TX
Houston Home Staging

Hi Bevin-

I just commented on the other post about how fortunate you are to have a supportive team! It means everything when the going gets rough.  Sorry to hear about the loss of the baby- I know your sis was grateful that you could be there.

Kathy

Feb 08, 2008 06:50 AM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com
Hey Kathy! Thank you for reading this one too, and I appreciate your sympathy. My sister continues to show her gratitude for me, even though it is not necessary - and fortunately she has an adorable 18 month year, who we were all grateful for during this sad time.
Feb 08, 2008 07:04 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging
Thanks for the payback today!  It was so great having help.  With 5 homes between us this week, this team idea surely is a good thing - I don't know how we would get it done otherwise... I can't wait to post photos now - that will probably come this weekend....
Feb 12, 2008 12:14 PM
Michele Kurelich
Triangle Home Staging & Design/Lasting Impressions - Raleigh, NC
Raleigh Home Staging and Design

Bevin.  You are fourtunate to have people like your team in your life!  It does not sound like it's just a team but an extended family to the family you have!  I have friends that I know will have my back in a time of crisis and it's a great feeling.

After being in AR for just the last few months I have come to truly admire your whole team and what you have accomplished!  Thanks for the timely post......right now I need to figure out how to grow a team and this is probably the biggest reason why.....SUPPORT!

Feb 13, 2008 12:31 AM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Melissa - anytime!

Michele - I am very fortunate! And you are right, we are a family. I think just by being on AR you will find the support you need and other stagers in your area that can lend a hand when you need it. There have been several blogs by stagers in the Atlanta area, that all mention they are competition for each other, but also help each other out in many ways. We are all stagers and want to see our industry grow!

 

Feb 13, 2008 12:39 AM
Gary Barnett
Home Matters - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis
Bevin, I can attest to the awesome power of a team of like minded people.  I on occasion will just set back and watch Linda and her crew of consultants work through problems or opportunities, with amazement.  I especially see this when the group brainstorms about ideas to promote Home Matters the business or about promoting Staging as an industry.  It obviously helps to have individuals that bring different skills to the party.
Feb 13, 2008 01:09 AM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com
Gary - I couldn't agree with you more! It is definitely the differences in us as people and stagers, that really help make a better product!
Feb 13, 2008 03:25 AM