I am replying to Kate Hart's blog here because she has not communicated with me on a personal level since she resigned from Stagedhomes.com as a Trainer. I truly looked upon her as a sister and really miss our relationship. Unable to separate me (just Jennie) from my role as a Trainer with Stagedhomes.com, she no longer trusts that I can actually just be me, and I am sad to report that I cannot blog on her sites as she is not open to hearing from me and I also don't want my responses screened or edited. If that has changed - please let me know Kate. Our last communication you did not respond back to me leaving me with the clear impression that "just Jennie" did not exist. As I shared back then I knew and know nothing about your interactions with attorneys.
As for what transpired with Stagedhomes.com - there is more to the story that I am not going to share here. Not only is this not an appropriate forum, but it's not anyone else's business.
Since you DID put my name in your blog, Kate and asked for my response - I feel it necessary to clarify that my business set up and how you are running yours are NOT the same. I set up a TEAM - like you did. You used my model as a framework for your business. I have shared my team set-up with many ASPs across the nation. However, unlike your company, I give ownership to the team members. They are all independent contractors. The only fees they pay are to help with joint marketing and the fees are based only on their time, not inventory. They are not referral fees - it is money they would be spending anyway - and actually less since we are able to combine our $$ for joint marketing projects and materials. Nor is there a requirement or dollar amount they have to provide or fee to join. It is strictly on their honor and I do not control all the jobs. I do NOT take a referral fee for jobs. I did NOT set up a referral fee program up and down the west coast (as you did on the east).
Being referred to by some as the "Staging Mafia" (not my term - theirs) my business is not set up like yours at all. I have never charged for the many referrals I have given to fellow ASP Stagers all over the US. I have not profited from their work nor have I set up my business to be a resource of leads for other Stagers outside of my market. Those are things you chose to do on your own. So your set up and mine are vastly different. I have given leads to ASPs in my own market as well - again with no referral fees.
Since you are not part of the SHC program you do not have the full details on the referral program. It is NOT for ASPs to charge other ASPs for business - instead it is a way for ASPs that want leads from a lead generation program to help build their business. I don't have to give details here - it is not a requirement for those that want to pass leads to other ASPs - this is not the same thing.
So let me just say - I am tired of people finding reasons to bash Stagedhomes.com and Barb - people with personal issues that should be dealt with on a personal level. This site is full of them. Learn from the past and then move on to do things that are productive.
If I did not know better, I would think that some of you on this site have the sole goal of focusing on Stagedhomes.com and posting negative comments - instead of building your business! WOW. My life is too important for me to keep going back and rehashing stuff. I would think that with your families and other more important issues you'd be able to move on. The emotional energy you put forth to continue to drag us all through your personal drama is tiring. Enough already. Let it go - for your own good and ours too.
This is not an episode of Law & Order. We are not a jury - and we don't have to keep hearing the same old stuff dredged up. We get it. You have issues with how things happened. So does the other side. Let it go for your sanity and for the future of your health and the people on this site who don't need to be dragged down an unproductive rat hole!
I have been off this site of a little over 2 weeks and within the first 5 minutes of logging on - BAM! here is yet another examples of the junk I want to get away from!! Stop the madness!
Anyone engaging in replies to those that want to complain about how they were done wrong (in any situation) - let me advise you to understand there are two very clear sides to any story. There is accountability for actions that some will never take - and so don't always believe everything you read.
Let's go out and Stage and keep it positive!! Isn't that what this site is supposed to be for? I wonder if I'll get a gold star for presenting this viewpoint?
- Jennie
PS - In reply to Craig Schiller's question about trainers having to give up their Staging business, I did write to him privately to answer his question, but will post it here so you can all see it. Trainers with Stagedhomes.com do not have to stop Staging. I still stage. I have always Staged. I will be Staging until I decide not to. I am a Trainer. Therefore, the answer to his question is "no." Trainers were encouraged to put people in place to help handle demand when the Trainer was teaching and traveling, and marketing the courses. That has to happen to fulfill the job role they chose as a Trainer. For some, they decided to stop Staging. They were not forced to do it. They were encouraged to step aside to focus on the Training and for some that meant for them to stop. For me, it meant to use my team. I have encouraged other Trainers that are part of the training team with Stagedhomes.com to put a team in place - and have given my model of team building to them to use. Some patterned it the same, and others ran in a totally different direction with a different goal than mine.
I have 6 other ASP Stagers on my team - when I need to offload work, I do it by using them. My company I started continues to operate at full-steam because I have people in place to help keep it going. When I am home and want to Stage, I do. I still market, I have fun with Staging -I love the creative side and have never been forced by Stagedhomes.com or Barb Schwarz to give up my passion for Staging. Barb actually encourages her Trainers to stay in the mix so that we are fresh in the trenches with ideas.
Gossip never serves a purpose - it's always best to go to the source to find an answer.
- Jennie
Jennie - as I posted a comment in Kate's blog I will also post one in yours. This is a very controversial topic. As I do not know either one of you, I can only give my comments on what I have read.
As I stated in my comment to Kate, I feel that what is important is how we perceive information provided and what we do with that information. The reason I provided a comment on Kate's blog was because I did not perceive the information provided by Kate as whining, name calling nor rude as indicted therein but rather it was her experience.
As you have pointed out, there are always two sides to every story and no one but the participants themselves knows the ins and outs of the situation.
I wanted to let you know that I appreciate your comment to "go out and stage and keep it positive." Thanks for that.
Hi Christine - that is usually the case - that the truth is not usually revealed - and it is always done from a person's personal perspective.
My point is that the other side is not on this site complaining or airing dirty laundry - and there is plenty to air, believe me. What I think is sad is that this is being used for a forum for one person's obvious drama that continues to have a hold long after it should. To me - she needs to let it go as the more she complains and drags everyone through the drama the more it continues to have a hold of her - and it is nothing but negative. That kind of elongated stress is sure to have reprucussions for health - and that is sad.
It is not being posted for constructive purposes - only destructive, and try as I might, I cannot get away from the purposeful negativity that seems to follow this blog group around. As I wrote - I was gone for 2 weeks - time off with my 4 kids and a class to teach - and when I get back on the site am hit between the eyes with yet more drama that I don't really see a point in putting out there. My opinion of course.
- Jennie
I said this before in ANOTHER post I wrote...
"As for all the controversy that surrounds Barb Schwarz. I am sorry it is such. But there is obviously something VERY REAL between these people and Barb. AS there is something REAL between those people that LIKE Barb and Barb.
It is a well known fact that people LOVE bad news MORE then good news. But, the BAD will TRUMP the good. And the BAD will grow and spread FASTER than the good. And the bad will be harder to clean up.
Once the BAD is out there it will stick to the hearts of those who feel it and they will judge, criticize, condemn Barb no matter what she does. She could create a scout troop for orphans that walks old ladies and puppies across street corners... and she will be a target. The hurt these people feel to me seems way too real. Way too deep. Who am I or who are you to say it is not so, for those that are hurting?"
Kate has been hurt. I applaud you for defending and believing in Barb.But Kate has been hurt... and she is being very transparent and forthcoming about it. Unfortunately YOU are caught in the middle. It is obvious you feel a strong affinity for Barb. I think that is good and noble. BUT that does NOT change the reality KATE has lived.
Me
Hi Craig,
When Kate resigned, she not only cut herself off from Barb, she cut herself off from me and all her fellow Trainers that actually cared about her. Shortly after her resignation came frantic calls with her upset about things she thought were being said about her. I supported her as I had all along. I was totally honest when I shared that I considered her like a sister. She looks a lot like my younger sister, in mannerisms, etc. and we had a quick and loving affinity. We spent many hours on the phone with me counseling her through transitions as a Trainer/Stager and helping her to set up a team so that her company could grow beyond herself. She may have figured all this out on her own (I don't doubt it) but it helped that she had my model to use - and then ran with it in her own direction.
I am not hurting for the same reasons she is (and thank you for acknowledging this is really about hurt and not principle) but it still hurt to lose a friend. The whole time I have been on this site, I have avoided blogging on her postings (except one where I wrote about favorite kitchen staging. When she avoided remarking on my comment - the message was clear - I did not exist) . . and stopped posting because I did not feel welcome. I am not the one that wronged her. I had no knowledge of what went on with attorneys or letters. In fact, when I saw she was off the SHC site, I thought it was because she chose not to renew. And yet I became representative of "the enemy" in her mind - and really, this blog posting is more than just about policies.
She has made this personal because of her personal issues - and trust me, Kate is a wise and sharp person who can rise to her own defense - certainly not of the victim mentality. I am not the bad guy - and yet SHE dragged me into this with her misstatement that our companies are the same and my designation therefore should be gone - and ASKED for my input. I am not defending Barb at all - there is nothing to defend. It is clear in our COE that we don't charge referrals. She chose to do it and therefore lost her designation. On my postings, I am only explaining that our business practices differ greatly. And if there is some secret document that exists - she needs to produce it and send it to me because I am being 100% truthful when I share that there is no formal policy on referrals between ASPs that I know about - and as someone that is teaching and in the trenches with SHC, I would be one of the first to know.
I appreciate your insight - and it's evident Kate wants to debate - that's really what this is all about. I suppose it would be a mute point if she did not have a sparring partner. Hmmm - that's a thought. It's like my kids - when they are running around chasing each other yelling, "Mommy, Steven is chasing me!" I tell the one running in front to stop running - you can't be chased if you are not running!
To just allow the blog and not post an appropriate opposite view would have been irresponsible of me - and so I have done my job of clarifying that my company is NOT the same, I did not violate any COE rules, and therefore my set-up is sanctioned by SHC and my designation is secure.
For me - I have made my points - mostly that people will walk their own paths and her goal of turning ASPs away from Stagedhomes.com is a waste of time and a silly vendetta.
- Jennie
Sorry to have to go there again......back to "The Secret" ..........negative attracts negative, positive attracts positive. I think everyone has to decide for themselves what type of person they want to be. It's interesting to me that so many people viewed Kate's initial blog (as Craig noted) but chose not to comment. Maybe they choose not to get sucked into the negativity that we recently went through with Barb's book coming out. It gets a little tiring and depressing.
I am an ASP and I have to say that if I were to get a letter from Barb herself saying that I could no longer be an ASP.........I would be hurt, but okay to move on, because the one most important thing that her training gave me was the confidence to go out in the big world and run my business by myself! If I had invested $5,000 dollars in her course it would still be worth it (with or without the designation). Truthfully if I had the money right now, I would invest in her ASP Master course, because I value her input as much as the positive people on A/R.
I truthfully don't fear Barb. What I really fear is my fellow A/R Stagers disliking me for not agreeing with them. Sorry but week after week I see the same people being negative and the same people being positive. I may become the first A/R outcast by saying this.......but there seem to be alot of people that cheerlead the A/R big guys/girls, (even if it's mean spirited). Whether or not anyone wants to admit it.....there are also leaders and followers at A/R ( just like SHC!) I don't think of it as a negative thing.....just ironic.
Bash Barb, SHC, designations, her book, her emails and the Easter Bunny if you want.......it's all negative!
Have I ever met Barb? No. But I will always be grateful for the knowledge and inspiration that I received from her course...........and that is the reality that Eva has lived!
Eva - what you write is too true. Anyone that seems to stand up for a vie that is in opposition to the big boys/girls is attacked by people simply because we don't agree (or I don't). And yet - it is not enough to scare me off the site - although I am sure there are some that would welcome that. It's important that when inflammatory information is presented as truth there is someone that poses questions and pokes holes in the issue to reveal the real motivation.
Jessica -obsessed with gold stars - hardly, but if my pointing out some of what I see helps them to be doled out more equitably, great. You have to know much of my comments are tongue in cheek humor - which you evidently did not get. Also be careful about calling someone a liar without any evidence. One person with an agenda stating she heard second hand that Barb was not licensed does not a fact make. Kate's blog is not about integrity that she has that someone else supposedly lacks. There are many that have integrity. - Jennie
Well - the gold star is there - so both sides are "featured." You know - now that we are up there - I feel like it should be removed - as this is really not useful for the members of A/R. I know, I know, - "bitch, bitch, bitch - is she EVER happy?" This is NOT a useful blog - has turned into a debate that really should have been handled privately from the start. Like a soap opera it unfolds - are you eating your popcorn?
Kate - I did read your comment - and I will respond here and then am done - let's move on. I was not patronizing you - comparing YOU to one of my children - read the comment again - I was comparing this blog to a situation kids get into - at least my four do. This debate (and I am getting into it again - running around the room while being chased - if I just stop running then the debate stops . . .Get it?) is getting to the last gasp in my opinion.
Your designation was taken away - for reasons in the COE that you signed that you did not adhere to admittedly by choide - that is pretty cut and dried. You stated above you wanted to do what you wanted to do - again your choice. As independent as you are - and with as many ideas as you have - it does not surprise me. And you are free to do what you want but that came with consequences.
I did not invite myself in - you did when you compared your business to mine and asked for my comments. Stating falsely that our business were the same and yet I retained my designation - which is misleading to the many ASPs I have interacted with and trained.
You knew I would HAVE to reply. Against my better judgment here I am. I did not say that you were running your business opposite of mine - not once - I wrote that our practices differ - so if you agree with what I do and are doing some of the same - fine.
There are some fundamental things you are doing that I am not - which you keep glossing over - but I really don't care about that. I am not criticizing your business in any manner - only pointing out what is different and the reason why I still have my designation.
What is different is the crux of the issue which was at the time charging for referrals. I have never done that - you have. That was the primary issue of concern and the apparent reason for removal of your designation - which happens very rarely in the world of SHC and ASP, by the way.
And the info you posted above about this supposed referral program - Who knows where it originated - or if it is even in place wherever it was put together. If this document is out there, I am sure I will hear about it - and in what context it exists and then pose questions as to how this relates to past policies related to the issue.
The key is this "whatever it is" is something that happened in May 2007 long AFTER your situation. What you dealt with was a year ago. So, back then, referrals were taboo. If that has changed - I don't know - but are you hoping they'll go retroactive and reinstate your designation? Is that your goal?
Or is your goal (as you wrote) to dissuade any ASP from renewing out of fear that they might encounter the same issues you did? As I wrote before, that would not happen as 99.9% of the ASPs would not do what you did - so it's not an issue.
I don't believe your passion is gone - otherwise what would fuel your desire to succeed and Stage? Your passion was impacted - sure but evidently not enough to stop you from running full steam ahead in your marketing and business growth. Being hurt - yes I believe that happened. That is sad - time heals things when we let it go. Holding on to this issue only ties you to the company that you are trying so hard to distance yourself from.
And I DO know what the COE states - to whoever did not sign their name on your blog - what I was referencing was the renewal notice wording. This is new wording but as others have written, is no different than other designations such as ASID or REALTOR where in order to continue to use the letters and trademark, and be considered an active member, the people must be in current standing. Companies change their policies over the years as is their prerogative. I don't have to agree or disagree with the changes and I have a choice to adhere to the policy or not. Why is this double standard evident again - do the people at ASID, IRIS, or other designations complain about not using the letters they earned or feel entitled to continue to use them without renewing like ASPs? I'd be interested to know.
And L & L - I like you and remember you fondly, Glad to know you are still out there making a difference in the mid-west. I have no ill-feelings for you or the other L at all. I don't agree with some of what has happened, or about most of your statements comparing the courses, but that is not about you or me.
- Jennie
Jennie~ Looking back I see now how tongue-in-cheek-humorous this post and your comments on Craig's post were. Don't know how I could have missed it. Thanks for pointing it out.
Funny how you conveniently neglected to address the trademark issue.
With regard to my other point:
"Also be careful about calling someone a liar without any evidence. One person with an agenda stating she heard second hand that Barb was not licensed does not a fact make."
Hi Jessica,
I am trying to take this whole thing down about 10 notches and deflect the negativism. Your postings are not helping do that - I fail to see where I somehow "asked" for your very harsh postings or sarcasm. To me you are jumping into something that has nothing to do with you - and I purposely did not address the trademark info and I don't want to get into the issue with you. This was not even a blog about that issue.
I think using any derivative of the word "liar" to describe anyone or a situation when you are basing your comments on heresay is worth cautioning. Couching it in "as far as I can tell" is still walking a dangerous line. I know you can point to some document that says the trademark is not there, and I can point to a government document on the trademark that says it is. So now what? Evidently you and I are looking at different "factual" data - and I don't have to convince you of what I know to be true, that is not my goal. If you want to believe what you see as true, I am not here to change your reality nor do I care to.
It really doesn't change what we do in Staging - and I have not seen one blog here about any ASP shouting at non-ASPs to stop using the word "Stage" - so you are defensive for no reason.
I have no idea why you would have an issue with SHC. I don't even know you - you don't know me - and for you to jump on me the way you have is sort of disheartening. I have had enough for one day.
- Jennie
I want to thank the Michelle Ewing and her quick research and posting today titled "WHOA NELLIE" for shedding some truth where people were getting ugly. Just to clarify, a Broker is different than an agent/Realtor and as Stagers we need to know the difference. She saved me the trouble of having to research on my own - and I never doubted for a minute what has been shared with me and others from a person I know to have high integrity. So Shell (on Kate's blog) and Jessica (on mine and Kate's), really before attacking a person's character and assigning the name "liar" to anyone (whether directly or indirectly) - which is really harsh - do some factual and actual research. Apologies anyone?
http://activerain.com/blogsview/123341/Whoa-Nellie-Make-Sure
- Jennie
I have no ill-will towards you Kate, I never have. I have always admired you, know that you will go far in whatever you do, and have many years of making an impact ahead. What I see is that you are really upset - I felt badly about how things transpired when you left up until now. I did not know anything about your losing your designation until long after it happened. I feel badly and am sorry personally that our relatioship was a casualty. I am not the one you have a gripe with so take me off the chopping block.
- Jennie
Please stop writing on this issue. To me it is done and over and when people keep commenting then it continues to draw attention to a non-issue. Charrisa - I have nothing more to say about it - I wish to move on - and I don't have to have the last word that is why I have not responded but I don't want more negative junk said on this about me or anyone else. If someone posts a comment infused with opinion that is negative I have either 2 choices - respond or delete. I don't wish to continue - and so let it be. Please. I have been out staging today and recommend that anyone that wants to continue to post about this issue to get creative - it will remind us why we do what we do. I am not a Stager to debate - I am a Stager to CREATE. Let me go - stop writing on this - there will be other better blogs to respond to in the future. I don't have any feelings of malice to anyone that likes to write - I just don't wish to get into an issue with anyone else and respectfully request that you let this blog go die a timely death.
Thanks - Jennie
Jennie,
I must apologize to you. I thought you had deleted several of my comments, not only in this blog, but also a conversation we had several days ago. I just happened to run across our earlier conversation on the original Kool Aid blog. I had thought that it was on the Certification blog. I looked in the wrong place for it. I shouldn't have gotten as upset as I did considering you just deleted one of my comments. You had every right to do that. It's your blog.
I also want to tell you that I really felt I was doing you a favor by writing you what I did yesterday. Someone once told me that in life, as in Staging, we need a neutral party to put our perspective in it's proper place so that we will know how others percieve us. I truly believe that you were trying to do the right thing by writing all these defensive posts about the Kate Hart issue. I just wanted to let you know, from my perspective, from an unbiased party that has only been on the Active Rain site one week, it wasn't helping your case, only hurting it. That's all. I'm sorry if I offended you. Perhaps I should have sent you a personal message instead of posting a comment on your blog. Anyway, what's done is done. I can't take it back, but I hope we can move on from here.
Sincerely,
Charissa
Let's do that - I know I'll see you on other postings - Just want this one to end as in the end it really was not productive. My main concern from the start was that I did not want others that I know and am accountable to - to think that I had somehow done something wrong with regards to a code of ethics that I adhere to and teach about - because that is not the case. As it was represented by the other person, that is what people would think - so I had to enter the situation - and let it escalate from there. End of story - moved on - had 10 hours of Staging yesterday and am sore and tired today - but excited about the outcome of the 2 houses we did!!
- Jennie