Staging Diva Grad on HGTV in First Year of Home Staging Business

Written by Debra Gould -

Suzanne Manlove of Arlington Home Interiors (VA) didn’t waste any time getting her home staging and decorating business off the ground.

Within two months of completing the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program, she earned $2,250 for her time on her first client project, and that was over and above any expenses or rental costs the client paid.

More than enough profit to pay for all Manlove’s training to become a home stager and then some.

But it didn’t stop there!

Manlove was ready to roll when HGTV needed a house for the show My House is Worth What?

Her clients, Jennifer and Tony Klapper needed a home staging plan fast— film crews were coming in four weeks!

Their five bedroom home had great new spaces after doing a significant renovation, but all of the finishing touches hadn’t happened, and several rooms were still unfurnished.

And with three young children, the Klappers needed tons of help de-cluttering too.

suzanne manlove man cave — Photo by Stacy Zarin-Goldberg

They hired Manlove’s company Arlington Home Interiors to stage their home to shine on camera.

Manlove scheduled a walk through, made a priority list, and got to work getting ready for the film date.

The filming was great fun, featuring the Klappers in need of a expert opinion and appraisal. The show’s results will be kept a secret until the show’s airing this Spring.

Over the years, Susanne has garnered a ton more media coverage for her home staging and decorating business.

Including 2 articles in the Washington Post and an Arlington Magazine feature on this “modern man cave.” She designed it for her husband, who she had to treat as a normal client, so the space would reflect his needs.

She has also won Best of Houzz Awards for Design for 3 years in a row! Congratulations Suzanne on all your success!

If you’d like me to write about your staging or design business, or how you got started, you can share your story details here.

To learn more about how to take your decorating talent and turn it into a business, check out the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program here. It includes a whole section on getting media coverage in Course 4.

Debra Gould, The Staging diva

Internationally recognized home staging expert Debra Gould created the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program to teach others how to earn a living doing something they love. She has staged millions of dollars worth of real estate and is the author of several best-selling guides. With 30,000+ students in 24 countries, Debra is celebrated as one of the most influential people in the home staging industry. She appears on: HGTV, CBS Radio, CNNMoney, The Wall Street Journal, Woman's Day, House & Home, Style at Home, GlobalTV, This Old House and more.

Comments

Kevin Rhodes says

January 3, 2009 at 3:51 pm

Hey Debra…..that’s excellent news for Suzanne. I can only hope that I perform as well when I am finally accredited as a home stager. What I want to know is how did she find out that HGTV was looking for a stager?

Happy New Year!

K.
- Debra Gould says
  
  January 4, 2009 at 5:19 pm
  
  Hi Kevin, it’s important to know that there is really no such thing as staging “accreditation” in the sense that it is only a term used by the organization offering you that “credential.” The home staging industry is not regulated and there are no official home staging credentials. Any home staging training company, or private individual for that matter, can offer you their own set of initials to put after your name.
  
  Suzanne is one of many Staging Diva Graduates who have done work for HGTV. You can read about some of the others at this link:
  
  https://stagingdiva.com/ravereviews-students.html
  
  Happy New Year and best wishes for a prosperous home staging business!
  
  Debra
Kevin Rhodes says

January 4, 2009 at 5:26 pm

Thanks for pointing that out. I realized as soon as I posted that it’s really just training. All the best for 2009.
Hayley Harris says

January 5, 2009 at 1:01 am

Go Suzanne! Thats such great news, well done!
Mariette Johnson Wharton says

January 5, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Suzanne,

You are a staging diva! You have beautiful taste so without a doubt your project was a huge success. Way to go!

P.S. Every up-to-date house needs a video phone, right?! :}

~ Mariette
Suzanne Manlove says

January 7, 2009 at 2:42 pm

Thank you all for your support – I am so proud to be a part of the wonderful staging community Debra has created! My business is not yet a year old and I’ve grown so much – don’t give up on your dream to be a home stager – it just takes time and dedication to your dream! Suzanne

“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

Over the years, Susanne has garnered a ton more media coverage for her home staging and decorating business.

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