Staging Diva Connects with Grads at Interior Design Show

I had the pleasure of meeting several Graduates of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program and readers of Staging Diva Dispatch at the Interior Design Show in February. We were attending Trade Day, an excellent opportunity to see what’s new in the world of design and make connections with suppliers.

While I spoke to tons of people over the day, I especially enjoyed discussing home staging and marketing with several Staging Diva Graduates. Now I can finally put a face to their names and loved meeting them in person:

Suzie Findlay of Oakville-based Divine Home Staging & Decor

Suzie recently joined the Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers and has created an awesome portfolio and write up. We met up and posed for this picture at the booth for a new magazine Canadian Home Trends.

Debra Gould with Suzie Findlay

Pat McArthur of Toronto-based Home Definition

In addition to being a Staging Diva Graduate, Pat is a member of the Staging Diva Accelerator Business Coaching Program so we’ve spent a couple of hours on the phone together over the last year discussing her business.

Pat has had a whirlwind of activity with interior redesign and staging projects both in Toronto and the Port Elgin/Owen Sound area. I’m looking forward to hearing more about her success at the recent Toronto Home Show.

Parul Lad of Toronto-based Aakriti Designs

Parul caught up with me and Nancy Hoag just as I was getting ready to leave the show. I was pleased I could introduce them to each other since they’re both running their staging businesses in the Toronto area.

Parul brings a unique perspective to her Interior Redesign and Staging Business by combining her expertise with Vastu into her practice.

Vastu is India’s ancient science of design and architecture. And while I’m hardly an expert, I believe it’s similar in it’s objectives to Feng Shui (the ancient Chinese art of placement) though Vastu’s principals are based in Hinduism.

Debra Gould with Parul Lad

Jackie Armet of Staging First Impressions

Jackie is a recent Staging Diva Graduate plus she’s one of my business coaching students, so it was great to finally meet her in person after getting to know her over the phone in our calls.

Francesca Midolo of Staged With Elegance

Francesca really hit the ground running with her business after completing the Staging Diva Training. Following my Gift Certificate strategy from Course 4: Staging Diva’s Sales & Marketing Secrets to Boost Your Home Staging Business, she got two jobs plus many referrals.

After staging a vacant home, her client asked for a bunch of Staged With Elegance business cards to hand out to her friends.

Francesca said what she learned from me has “worked like a charm and makes sense,” and she’s thrilled to be getting paid for doing something she loves.

Debra Gould with Francesca Midolo

Nancy Hoag, ALLDECOR Home Staging

Nancy is based in Richmond Hill and has had her work featured on HGTV’s The UNsellables!

Debra Gould with Nancy Hoag

Comments

Aron Bailey Bruser says

March 2, 2009 at 10:14 am

Great Post! Thanks Debra:)
Francesca Midolo says

March 6, 2009 at 4:08 pm

Hi Debra, it was fantastic meeting you and seeing first hand how dynamic you are. I was so happy to have been able to chat with you about the business and your appearance on the Ambrose Price show. Thanks for taking the time.

Francesca Midolo
Staged with Elegance
Home Staging & Redesign
shelley says

January 28, 2011 at 6:03 pm

Hi Debra, are you going to be at the IDS this weekend? I’m planning on going on Sat (I would have gone on Friday for trade day but I just started your course and don’t have a business registered yet) and hope to see you there.

Shelley
Stouffville, Ont
- Debra Gould says
  
  January 31, 2011 at 7:32 pm
  
  Shelley, Hope you enjoyed the show and picked up various ideas and supplier contacts. I only go on Trade Day. Looking forward to seeing you there next year!

“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.

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— 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.

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— 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

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— Dane Caldwell (ON)*2 Hounds Design

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— Meg Ritchie (AU)*Gold Coast Homestaging

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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

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