One of the things we discuss in Course 4 of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program is the importance of media attention and how to get it.
It’s so helpful in boosting your credibility as a home stager, as Staging Diva Graduate Jill Gargus-Turgeon of Edmonton-based Simply Irresistible Interiors Inc recently found.
She was featured recently on CTV news for her vacant home staging services.
This TV coverage expanded her potential target market’s understanding of home staging and how it goes beyond de-cluttering and adding a few decorative accessories.
In showcasing her projects, Jill showed television viewers the clear impact quality home staging has on a vacant home. It was hard to ignore the power home staging has on the first impression that potential buyers have when they see a property online, or in person.
Jill’s track record proves that home staging works.
She staged 64 vacant homes in 2013 with an average of only 9 days on market (DOM). Her business has increased 1340% over the past 10 years.
She says that she loves what she does and over that time she “really learned that creative staging talent is not enough.” Much of her home staging business comes from referrals from satisfied clients and Realtors.
Jill doesn’t stage occupied properties, choosing instead to build up her own inventory of home staging furniture and accessories and focusing on vacant homes.
She reports that her yearly income is “outrageous,” but so are her costs.
She has never taken on any debt, but there are considerable costs associated with investing in your own inventory, warehousing, staff, etc. She treats her business as a “real company and expects it to profit and grow.”
I was surprised to learn that Jill taught home staging courses for another company before taking the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. She writes:
“The Staging Diva Training Program transformed my way of thinking about the business of home staging. I was formerly trained by two other 3-day staging programs. In fact, I was even a teacher for one of them! However, the staging pricing model was incorrect in those other programs. It kept me stuck, trudging up a difficult hill wondering why I wasn’t making real money as a home stager. It wasn’t until Debra Gould explained home staging consulting and billing correctly, that I was able to shift into better home staging income levels.”
I’m always curious about the media coverage home stagers receive and how some stagers focus on staging vacant properties while others prefer occupied listings. What do you like to do?
Have you appeared in the media? Please share in the comments below and if you’d like me to write a feature story on your home staging business, don’t forget to fill out the easy submission form here.
Congratulations on your success, Jill! As your fellow home stagers’ we know how hard you work and how committed you have to be to come up with the designs & inventory to stage vacant homes. It’s a LOT of work and energy.
I stage both occupied and vacant homes in my 4th year of business; with vacant stages increasing in 2014. I like the complete transformation of vacant stages but I also enjoy working closely with home sellers who are always amazed and grateful for the expertise, tips and personal support I can offer them at a stressful time in life. The challenge for me has been balancing my life with an increase in business and not feeling I need to take on all requests for staging!
Thank you so muc! This business is very rewarding in all areas of services, I wish you well in your growth Stacy!
Happy success to all of you! I’m looking forward to joining your league and learning so much about the staging business!
Welcome Herica. Thank you for commenting.
Stacey, isn’t it awesome when we get to the point where we can pick and choose some of our projects! Another solution is to raise your rates again. That weeds some of them out and increases your income even when you’re working less.
I haven’t taken your course YET but I am so excited to do so!! At my age, I was having a mid life crisis. I’ve always loved decorating/staging and can’t wait to get started!! Thank you Debra Gould, for all you do!!
You are most welcome Teresa, and I really appreciate you taking the time to comment! I started home staging during my own mid-life crisis when I decided life was too short not to try and make a living from my creative talent. I never could have imagined 12 years ago where that decision would take me!!
Debra,
Thank you for writing this article! I appreciate all you do for the industry
You’re welcome, Jill! I’m always thrilled to shine the spotlight on Staging Diva Graduates’ successes.
After reading this article I am very keen to know from you Jill how much as a percentage you spent on inventory for staging the vacant homes. I am assuming it took a while to make a profit? How long before profits were realised? It would be nice to hear from you. Thanks for your time in advance. Janine Baird.