I was thinking the other day about how exciting it is when first building a business - the hope and dream of success right there in front of you. And that it CAN be overwhelming to figure it all out but it is so exciting to be on a path of a new passion.
Then as we get a handle on all that is needed to market, manage and run a successful Staging business, do we get to the point where we get on a "same old-same old" treadmill? Are we at risk of getting burned out or losing our passion as we focus on the building of a business?
As a Stager that has been doing this professionally for 5 years (and I acknowledge that most of us would say we've been doing Staging our whole lives - just didn't have a name for it or did not know it could earn us money!) . . . I thought it would be great to hear from those "old timers" that have been Staging professionally for 4 or more years (or 3 years+ if there are not enough 4 years+ to have a good post) - to find out how you/we make and keep each day or experience fresh?
Here are some of my thoughts:
- I still love the transformation - I love standing back and seeing how a space has changed and feeling that feeling inside that "I created this with my vision and ideas!" It's what I call "WHOO HOO!" It never gets old to me.
- I love the "WOW" Factor that we create for others - the sellers and Realtors and Buyers! They may be experiencing Staging for the first time - and so it is gratifying to hear their responses, and share in the newness of it all through their eyes. That never gets old to me.
- And I still love the thrill of the hunt - going after business, educating, and sharing so that more and more will want to Stage. I love that I can still find people that have no idea what I do - one mom at school asked me if Home Staging meant I put on puppet shows for kids' birthdays! I love it! It's a constant process and keeps me fresh.
- And I love the development of new market niches - to expand services and bring Staging to a whole new facet of people and places.
If you have been professionally Staging with a business for a number of years - share what keeps you fresh and excited. As I look to the future, I know that I want to be doing this for a long time - and I want my passion and creativity to stay fresh. There have been times when I have reached burnout after a particularly full week and prayed that the phone would not ring for a day or two while I refresh my batteries. It's important to take creative breaks from our Staging - weekly - have days set aside that we do not use for Staging - and over time, find ways to not have it become a rote routine of predictability.
I think the biggest reason I have not experienced that is that even though Staging is not new to me, each house I deal with and each seller I work with - they are new - and that is what helps keep it new and fresh. I appreciate what I have learned in the past, to help me handle the present and future, and work to keep the FUN and PASSION at the front of what I do in Staging.
Someday we will have a post on here that will be "Octagenarian Staging - Still At it After All These Years!" As I have always shared with others, as long as we have our minds, we CAN Stage until we are old and gray!
-Jennie
Jennie,
Nope, I'm not an old timer but I'll leave a comment anyway!!
I describe my transformations as "Umm...nice." when I speak to Realtors about my services. Here in New Hampshire where RESERVED takes a whole new meaning, a "WHOO HOO!" would probably scare someone!
Just a laugh here.
Sue
I can't believe there aren't more posts!!! I love this topic...
I started staging about 5 years ago. And started staging under the ASP Designation in 2004.
Just recently, I took notice of the fact that I wasn't running back and forth from the moving truck filled with glee like I once did. ??? The one thing that I'm sure of is that I LOVE STAGING! I love the people I meet, the houses I transform and the stress I reduce for my clients. So what is the issue? Simple. I'm too old (even at 35) to be moving the darn furniture myself! It is time to hire a crew of movers!!! That will get me back to WHOO HOO!
hi Jennifer,
Great to see your name above! Yes, getting a moving crew made my life in Staging SOOOO much better! I am a few years older than you, and have always found that the physical side of the Staging is really the only limitation. Definitely look for a moving company that is professional, and reliable. Your back will thank you!
- Jennie
Hi Penny,
Even with years of experience, the newness of any job comes through as the house is new, the sellers are new, and we get that "high" from a finished job done well. I still love that feeling - even with having a well organized buisness now, so the real change with time is really about getting into a groove where not many surprises come up - which makes the staging more enjoyable. - Jennie
Just checking old blogs... no pun intended!
I'm a newbie - 8 months old stager - but didn't have a word for it the years I've been doing it like you said - but each house is like a baby we leave behind. We linger over each room and make sure nothing is left out of place. It's almost too hard to leave sometimes but our real babies are waiting... well they can feed themselves.
The fact that we can create the WOW factor and transform a space is amazing and the realtors are the first to say it so it's reaffirming to us to know we can create that magic. We're just getting started too and I'm excited about the future here in Dallas.
Jennie, you've already been an inspiration to me and a help in my business even though we've never met. You're a generous soul and I truly appreciate you! Karen
Hello Jennie and Staging Familiy!
Just checking out the sites to see who is working harder than me...Staging is in full gear for the spring market. Worried...yes...booked for the month of April and we are just approaching the end of March. Less than a year in the staging business, I can not begin to imagine what staging will be when it "really catches on in Minnesota
Creating the "wow factor" in the staged homes is contageous! One home after the other.
The gratitude and compliments received from clients of staged homes that I have received is beyond what I could have ever imagined. I am so in awe and thank Barb Schwarz every day since I met her.