So...exacty WHEN do I jump off the cliff?

Jaynee - we hear ya! Don't people in corporate America sell their homes? I would start right where you are and market the heck out of it. And maybe sell a couple of those cars...

You ditch your current career in favor of your staging career when you can support yourself/family.  You need to figure what it the bottom dollar amount you need in order to quit and market yourself full time.  I feel your pain.

Jaynee, I simply couldn't see the way over the cliff this time either. So I said to my boss, "I love ya Boss, but I'm getting burned out here. What do you think about keeping me on part time until I can get this business up and rolling?" That is where I am right now. Still working part time and working on the marketing.

We have owned 6 businesses during our married life. Four were quite successful. One was the worst flop anyone ever experienced in business. And now the sixth is yet to be judged. I do know I learned from all the businesses we had but I learned more from the failure than all the other four put together.

Perhaps I'm incorrect but I believe the very most important part of any service business like ours is MARKETING. Are you able to do the marketing stuff while you continue to work? Is it possible to work only part time? Just thinking. 

Hey Jaynee,

I jumped off the cliff myself in 2006 and I haven't looked back. I got tired of earning money for other people. I got tired of having my spirit crushed. I had enough and feel I got the "call". And I love what I am doing. My situation is different from a lot of people. I had a pile of cash and I have no kids. I have a supportive husband who is getting ready to start another career himself. And I have a higher tolerance for risk than most people. I'm used to doing triple gainers off the cliff...it's my preferred method of shaking things up!

But you've been there before. You know what it feels like and you'll have to decide if you're ready to jump. Maybe you only do it part- time as Sandra suggests? Maybe doing some staging work helps with the burnout you're experiencing? Setting up your portfolio, deciding on your business plan and creating your marketing plan takes enough time that you could conceivably get that going first while continue working full time. That would give you some time to earn an income while you lay the foundation for your new business. 

A few things to chew on:

-The start-up costs for home staging are nothing like owning a B&B. As long as you don't ditch a ton of money into accessories and furniture, you can get things going relatively cheaply.

-Since the barriers to entry are low, there are new entrants into the market every day. That just means that you have to stay on your feet and be competitive. I think the staging community in Active Rain has more than doubled since I joined a scant 4 months ago.

-In many markets, the staging business has yet to catch on fully, meaning that you spend a lot of time marketing to educate the general public and our friends in real estate. 

You've come to the right place if you're thinking of this staging thing as a full-time career. There are lots of people willing to share their experience!

Good luck with your decision!

Veronica

Select Home Staging

Denver, Colorado

www.selecthomestaging.com 

Hi Jaynee,

I felt all of the emotions that you are feeling right now...and more.  I worked on my brochures, website format, forms, pricing and stationary while working full time, then took the leap to part time (while they looked for my replacement)........then jumped last year.  It has been the best thing that I ever did and I haven't regretted it for a minute.  My family is happy that I am around more and I am happier in general.  Having your family back you up is a great help because even if you have to switch from steak to hamburger for a few months you will not feel as guilty with them being on board.

I had the same emotion but was more pushed than jumped. The stress of toting the corporate basket and filling it by "making money for someone else"  helped me with my decision. I worked for someone else for 20 years and now found out how little my years meant. So I am excited about my Last Career.

 I agree with Sandra that you should figure out what you can live on or without, then do the leap of design faith. What we do is unique, enough and with the marketing experience you have, you will get along just fine.

So this is a jump of faith....   so go ahead start your last career too...

 

Kathy

Jaynee:  According to statistics and the testimonies of successful people you made a good professional move.  You have to dive in, jump off or take a risk.  I love Anthony Robbins and listen to his tapes often to get me motivated.  He always says that successful people have to make a change in their professinal and personal lives to get the most impact and you know it's  true.  I have had some really great support here in the Rain, Sheron always comes to mind, she has had and still has an interesting career.  There are so many in AR that have been exactly where you are.  I have had more client's this year than last and I will keep the mindset that there will be even more, so hang in there.  You said you couldn't keep "design" out of your head, that's all you think about; 4 words ---Welcome to the Club!  Go for it.

Jaynee,

It ISN'T EASY, but you can do both - for now.  It will take a lot of discipline and mucho mulit-tasking, but if you work your 'day job' and then go home and give your 'dream job' at least a few hours a night, you can start to create the business of your dreams.  You will have to give up your 'free' weekends in favor of visiting Open Houses and meeting realtors.  After work you will have to do online networking (Active Rain) and business planning.  You will have to work twice as hard as the other stagers of Active Rain because you will be doing 'double duty'.

Contact me through AR and I'll be happy to share my experiences in growing my business.

VAL

I too have two jobs.  I am a teacher by day and a Stager afterschool and on the weekends. Luckly, I quess, my kids are grown, and I don't have a husband right now. So I put forth lots and lots of time building my biz.  My very first year of Staging, I reinvested every dime into Inventory and marketing.  Things really didn't start to take off until my second year.  I have 3 other Stagers here that work with me on my team, so if I a client needs something done during the day, I have one of them cover for me.  It works out great.  I plan on retiring from teaching in 4 years.... or, if my Staging matches my income... then I am outa' there :)

Don't quit your day job just yet.

Hi Jaynee, I think we ALL relate to your post.  I can only speak for myself but I had my website up and running (and not much else) when I left my "corporate" job---and insurance benefits.  I felt as if it were my "now or never" moment meaning I could have gone to another job I disliked just as much or taken the leap.  And had more then a few lean years but honestly have never regretted it!!

Jaynee - I think most of us here want to scream JUMP JUMP and take us with you.  But, the reality of life holds us back....be patient a little while longer until staging brings you a regular income and you feel comfortable that you can survive and take care of your needs.  You will know when it is time :-)

All the best.

Start your business part time, NOW. You have the passion , now learn marketing. It will need to be one of your very best skills. Good Luck.