Nobody starts a home staging business hoping for it to never become successful, yet, by the way many new stagers seem 
reluctant to invest money in good-quality tools and training it seems many of you are really holding yourselves back.
When you start any type of business you need to invest in the proper tools to do the best job you can. Luckily, a home staging business is an inexpensive start up with hardly any overhead expenses to worry about and no inventory to purchase. All you really need in the way of equipment is a computer and other office furnishings and an excellent camera. With these items, I strongly urge you to get out of the “buy everything as cheap as possible” mindset and invest in the very best items you can afford.
Buying the lowest model of everything will result in you having to replace it all over and over again for as long as you’re in business.
If you think to yourself, “I’m only starting out so I don’t need to spend money on a big fancy printer,” you have to try to shake that attitude and start thinking about growing into some better quality items once in awhile.
Thinking small will keep you small. Spending money on the proper tools for your business isn’t the same as splurging on a dress you don’t need or a three-course meal at a fancy restaurant. The money you invest to get your staging business going is money that comes back to you.
For example, I’ve only bought two cameras in twelve years, despite all the changes in technology since then. That’s because I bought a very good model to serve the needs I would have as a successful home stager (having to have professional-quality before and after photos) even though I was just starting out. I’ve saved money in the long run because most people have to replace their cheap digital cameras every year or two. Besides, my photos have always been excellent, helping establish my position as the expert home stager in my market.
The bottom line is you need to plan for a real business that will grow. So where you can afford to, get the equipment that will give you some growing room, even if you don’t need the full power of it right away.
Home stagers, what was the best purchase you’ve ever made for your business? What was the worst? Share your own experiences in a comment below!
Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Six Elements Inc. Home Staging
Debra Gould knows how to make money as a home stager and she developed the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program to teach others how to earn a living doing something they love. She is frequently profiled in the media for her home staging expertise and is the author of 5 guides for home stagers.
Photo Credit: ichaz
Debra asked what our best and worst investment has been in business…the best investment I made was a combination of hiring a professional graphics artist to develop my logo and having that logo professionally installed on the entire back window of my van! The only trouble I had at first was remembering it was there! The worst investment I made was in “Dollar store” vases to accessorize with. In themselves, the vases don’t necessarily LOOK dollar store, but the trouble is that so many people buy them because they are so cheap! People start to recognize them in your photos and the problem with that is you label yourself as a “Dollar store” stager! Lesson learned!
Jackie, those are both excellent points! Thanks so much for sharing them. I’ve heard so many stories about people getting business from having their logo and contact info on their vehicles. But as you rightly point out, having a quality logo is key!
No question at all… By far the best investment I made in my home staging business (and also in myself) was the full series of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program! It was worth every penny and I can’t imagine running a staging business without it. Great program and a great value!
Thank you for that Leah and congratulations on heading into your 6th year in business. Quite a milestone!!
Again, good advice for home stagers! My best investment was also the home staging training by Debra. I knew almost nothing about starting a business and I appreciated the step-by-steip checklist to get going!
Also, I had already invested in a good camera, a laptop computer and my husband bought me a Tom Tom GPS system so I can find all those houses! Indispensable!
Certain things just make the job easier! I agree, Debra!
Debbie Fiskum, Perfect Transformations Home Staging in Denver
I have invested in all of the training materials and many of the other Staging Diva resources available to home stagers. They all provide a wealth of information and I’m more confident because of the business insight I’ve gained. I think the best resource though is the opportunity to get one-on-one coaching sessions with Debra because it’s specific to my business and my questions/needs. I think the biggest waste of my money to date was the purchase of artificial trees and plants. I probaby won’t use them in home staging projects, but if other home stagers do, tell me how it’s gone for you! Like Jackie, I’m thinking the artificial greenery may make my staging services look low-budget.