From US Air Force to Home Staging Career

tv talk show set after staging — Home stagers don't necessarily only decorate homes. Here's a TV talk show set after staging by Ana Hitzel.

There is no single path to a home staging career. Home stagers come from many different backgrounds and past jobs before building their own business decorating homes to sell for the real estate market.

I’ve had home staging students who were in: nursing, auto sales, financial services, film, retail, cleaning, painting, stay-at-home-moms, army and more. One was even a past personal assistant to comedian Rodney Dangerfield! You can meet some of them in Craving a Career Change: Reinvent Yourself as a Home Stager.

Corona California home stager Ana Hitzel of AccentPositives Home Staging and I have been corresponding since she first took my home staging courses in 2007, and then more recently on Facebook after she announced that she would be hosting her own radio show. Her first guest will be Cory Chalmers, owner of Steri-Clean and the go to guy on the A&E hit show Hoarders.

But I never knew Ana had previously had an Air Force career!

tv talk show set before staging — Just another office area until Ana transformed it into a TV talk show set!

Ana shares her story here along with before and after photos of a recent transformation she did of a local TV talk show set:

“After a 10 year career in the US Air Force, I didn’t really know what direction I wanted to take with another career. Becoming a full-time mom kept me busy enough but something else was missing. I knew I wanted to own my own business but it had to be something I loved.

Staging has turned out to be the best choice I could have made. I love people, design and the challenges. I love seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces when I have a part in making their lives a little easier and their living spaces better.

I don’t have to depend on some boss allowing me to take time off to be with my kids and support their activities and I make the money I want to make doing what I love. I look forward to going to my ‘office’ instead of dreading it!

Debra’s Staging Diva Home Staging Courses gave me the tools and insight into how to start a staging business successfully. I was able to start without going into debt and implement a sensible business model that set me up for success and not failure. My company has been in business 5 years now and I’m having my best year so far.”

Don’t let not having the “right” background stand in your way

If you’re thinking you don’t have the “right” background to run your own home staging business, consider that home stagers come from all walks of life. I’m sure if someone told Ana after her time in the US Air Force that she’d be running her own creative business decorating clients’ homes to sell, transforming a TV talk show set or hosting her own AM radio show called “Your Place, Your Space Home and Garden Radio” she would have thought they were crazy!

There is no one path to get here. You absolutely need to have natural decorating talent and a desire to work towards building your own business. Knowing how to turn that talent into a money-making business is key, otherwise all you have is a creative hobby. That’s the focus of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Business Training Program.

Congratulations to Ana and the over 7,000 Staging Diva students in 21 countries learning my formula for starting and growing a staging business.

Home stagers, or soon-t0-be-stagers, please share your comments about what career you came out of before home staging, and if possible how you made the leap. I know you’ll inspire others with the many possibilities they have for their own lives!

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Voice of Possibility Group Inc.

Debra Gould has been an entrepreneur since 1989 and knows how to make money as a home stager. Author of 5 guides, and frequently profiled in the media, Debra developed the Staging Diva Training Program to teach others how to earn a living doing something they love.

Comments

Ana Hitzel says

June 4, 2012 at 10:39 pm

Debra,
Thanks so much for the article featuring me and my business. It has been an interesting journey. I thank you for the help on that journey because your courses were invaluable. They helped me make the right decisions on several important aspects of running my business. Anyone interested in becoming a Stager should definitely listen to what your training shares. Being a small business owner is a constant learning process. I have learned a lot through trial and error but you reduced the error part by tons!
Ana
AccentPositives Home Staging
- Debra Gould says
  
  June 4, 2012 at 11:44 pm
  
  Hi Ana, you are most welcome, it’s my pleasure to feature your business and your success. I’m so glad you found my courses helpful and I wish you continued success on your journey! I’ve been an entrepreneur since 1989, and I’m still learning every day. That’s part of the joy and adventure of it actually!
- twitter_Chic4cheapdesgn says
  
  June 6, 2012 at 1:24 pm
  
  Congratulations Ana! That is so cool for you to find an interesting way to get your name out there. All the best to you!
  
  -g

“The Staging Diva Business Training Program is worth every penny!

While there are other home staging courses out there, I’m so happy I follow the business model Debra teaches in her program. It is specific, concise, and thoroughly explained.

In addition to her courses, Debra offers SO many supplemental materials that are incredibly helpful too. The community of Staging Diva Graduates is another bonus, as we all support each other and share each other’s wins.”
— Cristin Lyons (NC)*Raleigh Staging & Design

“The Staging Diva Program is very well organized and explains in the most straightforward terms how to set up your business, maintain and grow it.

By the time I was on Course 3, I had already completed three home staging jobs which more than paid for all the training!

Debra’s step-by-step process allowed me to start a 2nd career doing something I probably should have been doing all along!”
— Rob Reinhart (CA)*Make It-Home

“Once I decided home staging was for me, I was terrified of starting my own business. Staging Diva Training gave me the confidence to do what I love, and contribute to our income after being out of the work force for 15 years.

Debra gave me the information I needed to get over my fear of failure, charge what I’m worth, and get out there and start my home staging business!”
— Kelli Hughes (TX)*ReAbode Home Staging and Redesign

“I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found the Staging Diva Program. I bought it without hesitation and began my training immediately.

I’m excited and inspired. The courses exceeded my expectations and gave me the knowledge to confidently start my own staging business.

So grateful for what I learned from Debra. She shares her gifts and talents so generously!”
— Mary-Maye Lorriman (UK)*Room by Room Interiors Ltd

“The Staging Diva Program was such an influential part of my home staging business plan. The business tools, processes and procedures Debra Gould outlines in the program set you up for success.

I have taken other courses but none compare to the comprehensive program with Staging Diva.

I truly appreciate all Debra’s help and guidance through the courses and group coaching calls. She is such a great inspiration!”
— Lori Carbone (NJ)*Spaces That Speak Home Staging

“I love Debra Gould’s straight forward approach and candor. As a home stager, she knows first-hand what it’s like in the field. Debra is running her own staging business as a real business and knows what it takes.

Debra is truly an uplifting woman and I continue to aspire to follow her lead. Her amazing passion for home staging is felt all the way over here on the Jersey Shore.”
— Wynette Williams (NJ)*Red Robyn Interiors

“The Staging Diva Program taught me many secrets about home staging consultations— especially how to charge, and have no inventory.

I took another home staging course before Debra’s and the Staging Diva Program really helped build my business. Debra forced me out of my comfort zone, she is such an inspiration! Now I know I can make a difference in many people’s lives.”
— Susan Bierig (NJ)*Re-deZine The Shore Way LLC

“I loved Debra’s no-nonsense style of running a home staging business, it’s very easy and straightforward. She keeps it simple, and it all “clicked” for me.

I now have the confidence to get out there and do what I am passionate about. I knew I had the talent, and now I have the business knowledge to round out my staging business. Thank you Debra!”
— Judy Chizmar (PA)*Judy Chizmar Home Transformations

“The Staging Diva Program is fantastic! I wish I had found it before completing a different home staging course. The program provided me with valuable business information that the other course lacked.

I am very impressed with Debra Gould. It is quite evident that she is honest and ethical in all her dealings with her students and clients, and that’s #1 in my books.

She truly has become my mentor!”
— Monique Milne (MB)*Milne Well Dressed Homes (MB)

“I’m so glad I came across the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program. It’s a perfect fit for me with Debra sharing her business model and what has worked for her. She takes the guess work out of how to run a successful home staging business.

Debra is supportive, down to earth and has a wealth of experience under her belt. I can now express my creative passion with more confidence following her guidance.”
— Shelley Giffin (QLD AU)*Rooms for Miracles

“The Staging Diva Program is very comprehensive, flows well, is explained simply, and the content is engaging. I loved the combination of information from Debra mixed in with student questions.

I do not need a business background to be successful as a home stager after taking the Staging Diva courses. They gave me the confidence I needed, to know that I can be successful.”
— Haana Nyamekye (MD)*Zuri Sophia Interiors

“I love that I’m pursuing a career that pays me to be creative, rather than spending my time working for someone else.

Plus, I have the freedom to be available to my family when they need me.

The Staging Diva Program filled in all the questions that I still had after completing another ‘hands on’ program. Thank you Debra, I now have the confidence to build my staging business.”
— Tracie Lacroix (BC)*Sold by Design

“This is the first time in my 57 years of life that I am pursuing something solely for myself — despite my often paralyzing fear!

I’m optimistic and excited to see what the new year has in store for me— due in large part to having found the Staging Diva Program and feeling prepared to take this new journey as a home stager. Debra, thank you sincerely!”
— Lisa Tyus-Lee (OH)*Lights Camera Stage LLC

“Debra’s knowledge and expertise on how to start a home staging business have inspired me.

As a seasoned Real Estate Agent who already staged clients homes, I believe this is a great business to be in.

I am moving my dream of staging homes into a separate business because Debra taught me how in the Staging Diva Program. Thank you Debra!”
— Leslie Manson (BC)*Staging Homes by Leslie

“I appreciate Debra’s candid approach. It’s the reason I chose the Staging Diva Program over other home staging courses.

My first project sold the first day on the market for more than the asking price. This confirmed I’m in the right business.

Thank you, Debra!”
— Casey McDougall (TX)*Custom Home Staging

“I loved the Staging Diva Program! I was skeptical about the format at first, but it was great. The notes were concise and easy to follow. Students asked questions I was wondering about myself, and Debra is clear and direct.

I’m confident in my decorating abilities, but wasn’t sure how to run a professional and profitable staging business. Debra walks you through the entire process.”
— Deborah Brischler (CA)*Home Staging Solutions

“The Staging Diva Program will help me avoid possible mistakes and has provided great clarity on many grey areas— which is great!

I love staging homes and since doing the program, I love it even more as I am confident that I can provide a really worthwhile and valuable service! These home staging courses are very practical. I wish I had completed them sooner!”
— Clodagh Doyle (Ireland)*Placelift Property Renovation Specialists

“I have never been so driven, passionate and totally motivated as I have been since completing the Staging Diva Program. I have not lost any steam nor any excitement.

The fact that the program is start-up business and marketing related to home staging makes it so perfect.”
— Dane Caldwell (ON)*2 Hounds Design

“I knew what I wanted to do as a home stager, but I didn’t know how to go about it. Staging Diva gave me the processes and I followed them.”
— Meg Ritchie (AU)*Gold Coast Homestaging

“I already have a knack for the decorating part of home staging, but I lacked the business side of things.

The Staging Diva Program was great to have at my fingertips so I could listen at my own speed and in my own time.

I was concerned about handling all the paperwork I thought had to be involved in the contracts and such, but Staging Diva has made it SO much easier!!”
— Amy Brown (MO)*Simply Staging by Amy

But I never knew Ana had previously had an Air Force career!

Don’t let not having the “right” background stand in your way

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