Home Stager Looks Back on 10 Years in Home Staging

One of the delightful things about having the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program since 2005, is watching how my grads’ lives and careers unfold after taking my program.

What they do with their training, how their business grows, the inevitable personal development that comes along the way, and more.

So I decided to interview Leah Fritz of Perfect Place Home Staging to see what she’d share looking back on the years since she first took my training and started her business 10 years ago.

What made you decide to become a home stager?

I saw home staging as an opportunity to use my natural decorating talents as a means of making money, and enjoying going to work each day.

What impact did the Staging Diva Training Program have?

Staging Diva gave me the confidence to get myself out there as a home stager because the training program laid out a direction for me to follow, and addressed many of the fears that were initially holding me back.

What were the most important things you learned about yourself during your time as a home stager?

People consistently expressed how skilled I was and were more than willing to pay for my services.

That brought me into my own. It gave me confidence in myself, my decisions, and my decorating talents.

I spoke and people listened — that’s powerful stuff!

Was being a home stager your first business and what were some of your financial milestones?

Yes home staging was my first business. Two of the milestones that stick in my mind were that I made enough money to remodel my own kitchen and take my family on a vacation.

What is a favorite memory from your home staging business?

Getting my beloved dachshund Nellie Bean as a gift from a thankful client (the breeder) was tops!

Nellie is still a constant reminder of how the universe rewards us when we put people first. This photo is from one of her birthdays.

How long did you have your home staging business before you moved?

About 9 years, and then my husband was transferred to a smaller city.

When I was just starting out as a home stager after taking the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program, I imagined something great (my business) and worked myself wild to make it a reality.

I kept moving forward despite people saying it would never work. I even kept it going when the housing market crashed and the economy stunk. I continued as a home stager because I had a goal and a clear picture of what I wanted. I’m not a quitter.

Now I’m simply taking a detour and redirecting the “not-a-quitter” spirit that’s still a part of me.

What would the current you say to yourself 10 years ago when you were just starting out?

When you make it, enjoy the ride. There’s no guarantee it will last forever. You have little control over the obstacles that will inevitably litter your path, but you have complete control of how you’ll navigate them.

What has made you think of doing something new now?

I still have passion. I still have drive. I can’t just ignore these God-given qualities in myself and sit idle.

I’ve embarked on a personal journey. I’m fortunate that currently I don’t need to bring home a paycheck, so I’ve committed myself to getting back in shape and improving my overall health. I’m on a lifestyle makeover which includes eating better and exercising.

My goal is to soon see a new and improved Leah in the mirror, which will fuel me for another run at an enjoyable use of my decorating talents… whatever that may entail.

I’ve already helped two local business owners renovate and restyle their stores. This has lead to a lot of chatter among the business community, so maybe a whole new avenue for me has already started to unfold.

Is there anything else you want to share with the aspiring home stagers who may read this?

Don’t hold yourself back because you question yourself or feel fearful. Keep your goals in sight and move towards them a little every day. If it doesn’t come out exactly as you thought, don’t beat yourself up. All of life’s experiences are necessary to us in some way.

Never ever feel you’re in your final chapter. Just turn the page and start a new one.

Thank you Leah for sharing your experiences. I’m sure it will be an inspiration to other aspiring home stagers and I can’t wait to see what you do next!

You can get more of a picture of what Leah’s life was like as a home stager in these articles I wrote earlier in her career.

Staging Diva Grad Leah Fritz Struts Her Marketing Stuff

Wisconsin Home Owner Makes $30,000 on Home Staging

Staging Diva Graduates Get Media Attention in Chicago, Nashville and Kenosha

Two Years, No Offers – Time to Call a Home Stager?

Home Stagers!

Do you have an interesting staging success story to share? Please let me know by filling out this online form and perhaps I’ll feature your business in an upcoming post!

Comments

Susan Atwell says

August 9, 2017 at 9:00 pm

Love this! Leah you have been – and still are – an inspiration! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!
Vicki says

November 23, 2018 at 2:59 pm

Thanks for sharing this, very inspiring and motivating!

“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.

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— Kelli Hughes (TX)*ReAbode Home Staging and Redesign

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— Mary-Maye Lorriman (UK)*Room by Room Interiors Ltd

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— 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.

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— Wynette Williams (NJ)*Red Robyn Interiors

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— 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.

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— Judy Chizmar (PA)*Judy Chizmar Home Transformations

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— Monique Milne (MB)*Milne Well Dressed Homes (MB)

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— 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

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— Lisa Tyus-Lee (OH)*Lights Camera Stage LLC

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

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— 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.

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— 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.

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— Deborah Brischler (CA)*Home Staging Solutions

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— Meg Ritchie (AU)*Gold Coast Homestaging

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— Amy Brown (MO)*Simply Staging by Amy