In the December issue of my monthly newsletter for home stagers, I featured Susan O’Connor – a recent Staging Diva Graduate who had given her notice to leave her corporate job to focus on building her staging business.
At that time, Susan said she had already lined up a consulting job that would bring in some income for her while she got her Wisconsin home staging business, Staged 4 The Sale, off the ground.
I applauded her then for employing such a smart strategy because Susan remembered that becoming a stager doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision!
I received a lovely message from Susan last month. Although I rarely do this, I’m going to share it with you as she wrote it (with her permission of course!).
I believe the message she wants delivered is much more meaningful when you read it in her own words:
“Well, it finally happened. I had my first staging consultation! So as someone fresh from their very first time, I want to share my experience with those who have yet to get there.
First, I’m sure I’m not the only person who tried to calm down by imagining that initial phone conversation with a potential client. Although I felt sure about the kind of information I needed to convey, I still had a voice in my head asking, “Can you make this sale?”
I imagined having to make the “sales pitch” to persuade them of the benefits of home staging. Would I sound desperate? Would they sense my inexperience? Would I fumble at an answer to a question? How will I talk them into it?
Now, with that first home staging consultation behind me, I want anyone who is asking themselves the same kinds of questions to RELAX.
What I found was that people call because they’re already interested! I would possibly be the world’s worst sales person but this was NOT sales as you think about it. This was explaining how we help people, how the process works and at the end, the cost.
By the time I got there all the client wanted to know was how fast I could get over there!
I remembered Debra’s message to ‘let your passion show through’ and that’s exactly what I did. She was so relieved! I never thought these calls would be fun, in fact I was practically dreading it, but it was fun and I want you to know that.
Then came the consultation. It must be what it feels like to be an actor who has rehearsed their lines, because once I got ‘on stage’ all my home staging training kicked in.
Debra’s program gave me everything I needed to walk in there completely confident that I could handle the job. I left them with a pretty significant ‘to do’ list but today, 2 days later, I received an email thanking me and showing me what they had already done in their living room. They were so proud of their achievement!
I hope by sharing this as one more example of ‘you can do this’ I help someone feel more confident that they really can pursue their dreams!”
Susan, thank you for sharing this. I know you’ll help others realize this isn’t all as scary as it sounds! You just follow the roadmap I share in the Staging Diva Program and you’ll be ready and know what to say.
Congratuations, Susan! I felt very encouraged by your letter and the way in which you encouraged the rest of us. Congratulations, too, on your staging project and consultation work. It’s amazing how much we are capable of doing when our hearts are in it and we believe in what we do. Carry on, and be sure to update us! 🙂
You go, Girl!! What an inspiring letter and good advice to anyone who has doubts! I do remember my first couple of jobs, and I felt nervous, inadequate and totally transparent. But as you said, the people have been so nice and they were interested in what I had to say. After all, they wanted to get their house sold and they were looking to me for advice!
Well, it’s been over 4 years and I stll love what I do. I’ve found my niche in doing vacant homes, mostly for investors who do fix n’ flips. I still do occupied home consultations and all types, but really love seeing the transformation when I take an empty house and leave it looking fabulous! What a joy!!
Debbie Fiskum, Perfect Transformations & White Orchid Interiors of Denver
Congrats Debbie on being in your 5th year of business, a nice milestone. I remember well when you were just starting out after taking the Staging Diva Program. I think it’s time I wrote an article about your business! This is a free service I offer Graduates and it’s a great way to spread the word about your business all over the Internet. Here’s the link to submit your info:
https://stagingdiva.com/homestagingbusiness/staging-success-stories/
I wanted to thank all of you who wrote comments. I truly enjoy the collaborative spirit of support we all offer each other and that Debra encourages so passionately. I left my corporate job 3 days ago and am now looking forward. I got a call from a realtor a few days ago about a vacant property and had a great conversation with her. Again, the training kicked in and I felt like an old pro. She said “someone in her office” referred me, she couldn’t recall who. I thought that was GREAT! Best to all of you! Susan.
Susan, your message was very encouraging to me as being a recent graduate who has yet started business, officially. I have just retired from my profession as a court reporter and am relocating to California from Ontario, Canada to pursue my passion. I cannot wait to begin. The best of luck to you but I doubt that you need to hear that. You are on your way! I hope to be on mine very soon, too!
Renee Metzger
Staging It Up
I love how all of you are meeting here and sharing your comments, ideas and experiences!!! Thank you for that. I makes me want to keep writing all these stories and share them with you all.
Renee, from court reporter in the frozen north to home stager in sunny California… you go girl!! I would love to write a story about your transition. You can submit info for me to turn into a FREE article at this link:
https://stagingdiva.com/homestagingbusiness/staging-success-stories/
Im a 61 year old single women who have enjoyed staging my friends home as well as my own home; however, after leaving the job maeket three years ago to care for my ageing mother, I have bren hard press to find a job that I love and would me for mu hard work effort. Therefore, I wanted to try my hand at home staging AB&B&B than onto the home sale market. I’m sure that would be good at home staging once I learn all of the steps to move mr forward.
Hi Debora, You’ve come to the right place! My students know they have staging and decorating talent, what they’re missing is a complete business model to follow to turn that talent into a living.
I have many Staging Diva Grads in your age group (and at least a handful who started in their 70s), when you follow my approach this is not a physically demanding job and it offers a ton of control over your schedule. Glad you’ve got your free pass for the “5 Simple Secrets to Home Staging: How To Make Money Doing What Your Love” mini-course this week! It’s the perfect next step for you!