Last week I received a call from a woman in the area who is contemplating becoming a stager. She found me on the internet, saw that I was close by, and asked if I had time to discuss the business with her. I immediately said, "Absolutely!" What an honor to help bring someone else along into the wonderful world of staging!
We met for lunch a few days ago. She whipped out her sheet full of questions and the fun began. She asked questions such as, "Do I need to be accredited?" (Yes, I highly recommend it. It gives you credibility in the industry.) "What program would you recommend?" (That depends. Do you want to spend your money learning how to stage or learning how to set yourself up for business? Different programs are geared toward different ends.) "Do I need business cards, a brochure, a website, a car wrap?" (Yes; yes, soon; yes, but don't rush it or you'll have to have it rebuilt in a few months because your first pass didn't cut the mustard; no, but I do think car magnets are a good idea.) And on and on we went.
Have you ever seen the show, "What Not To Wear"? That's what the second half of our conversation reminded me of, only regarding staging. This dear woman had the benefit of learning from all the mistakes I've made in my (almost) 2 years of being in the biz. (I won't list them here. You would get tired of reading.)
I remember when I first started out, I asked several other stagers I came in contact with how long it took them to get their businesses up and running. They all replied, "Two years." I thought to myself, "Yeah, maybe for THEM!" Well, I realize now that they were right and it's actually very reassuring to me at this point to think back on their words, because it lets me know I'm right on schedule. My business is definitely growing and gaining momentum, but I don't quite have the consistency I'd like. So knowing that it took other successful stagers that long to get up and running is very reassuring.
My point is this: when mentoring others I think we can be the most help to them by being perfectly honest. They need to know what fun staging is, how every day is different, and that it is many things but NEVER boring; but they also need to know that it's not easy and there is a price to pay to build a successful business. Do I enjoy staging? Yes!!! Have I made mistakes? Yes!!! Would I do things differently if I were to start over again? Absolutely!!! Would I go into a different profession? NEVER!!!
Patsy Overton, Accredited Staging Professional
Patsy@SSSHomeStaging.com 770-843-2307 www.SSSHomeStaging.com
Hi Patsy - came across your post. You look like the sharing type of person and I agree, mentoring can be such a positive experience for both parties as long as you stay honest. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
It can be a great and satisfying honor to be thought of as a mentor. It takes a caring and sharing person to act like one.
Thanks for sharing your post about staging. There are a couple of us going to take a glass this summer. I'm really looking forward to it.
Patsy - this is a great post. You have a real ability to relate to people and the sincerity of your encouragement and help for the woman you went to lunch with shows through. I have had one of those weeks where you wonder if it is going to work out and I am not quite at the 1.5 year mark yet, so I guess I will just continue to pursue my passion and continue to grow. The lady you lunched with is a lucky lady to have someone like you. Thanks for sharing your story!
It's that passion for what you do that makes you excel at it! Would that we all would have the same passion for our career that you do! It is refreshing!
Kathy
Thanks, Patsy. It was very generous of you to help out a newbie like that. What goes around comes around : )
Patsy, I am sure you are one awesome person. There are those that would not have given out their time or wisdom. Great lady for sure. I am sure your business will grow more and more.
Now I have moved to Albuquerque and I'm starting from scratch. It's a very hard thing to do, but I'm sticking with it because I love what I do. Your mentoring message not only inspired a newbie but also an old fart like me. Thanks
Yes, honesty in all dealings is a good policy. I see so many people in business not wanting to tell their competition anything. We reap what we sow, and I know you'll have good business in the future as you are creating good business now. Congratulations on your spirit and sense of sharing.
Fredy - Thanks for your comments. Yes, mentoring is a blast!
Jim - Wow, those are words of wisdom! Thanks.
Connie - Have fun!
Sheila - Thank you for your kind words! Here's to both of us blowing the doors off with our staging businesses. I wish you the best!
Kathy - Thank you. Staging is one of the few things I've done in recent years that I'm passionate about.
Bob - I'm sure I got much more out of the meeting than she did.
Andrea - Thank you! What are we going to meet for lunch?
Edgar - And you have inspired me today with your words! Thank you! I've no doubt you will succeed once again.
Terrylynn - I do believe in always being perfectly honest, but the truth is I'm not smart enough to be deceptive! Thanks.
That newbie is so lucky to have you to guide her. Boy I wish I had someone like that. I started three years ago and I was not as agressive on the business end as I could have been. I'm now just taking off. I agree with you...I wouldn't change what I do, but I would change a lot of things I did.
Sharon - You are giving me too much credit! I was just available, that's all. I'm so glad to hear your business is taking off! The 3rd year must be the charm.
Patsy~ Very nice post! That was great of you to share. I have had great luck ( this is our 1st year) with so many wonderful stagers that share w/ me. Most have become friends for life :)
Wendy - Thanks. Yes, I have found stagers to be a great group of people and so giving. It was a pleasure to be able to do that for someone else for a change. I'm sure you've had your opportunities as well. Thanks for your comments.
Hi Patsy, it's commendable to mentor others and I encourage it to a certain degree.
Lately I find myself (due to lack of time and honestly it seems that more often than not, when I offer advice and hours of my time to others who may call or email I don't often get a follow up response and it's frankly frustrating) referring these inquiries to our wonderful site Active Rain and Stage it Forward.
Who among us would not have loved to pick the brain of a more seasoned stager when we started? I learn daily in the school of life and hard knocks and what works in my market may not in some one elses.
I'm also encouraging those who legitimately want to start this business to contact their local Small Business Development Centers and also join RESA once they start their business.
Patsy, I have had the pleasure of having someine call me up and wanting to me with me about my staging. They had the very same questions.
Wonderful post and I too love sharing and mentoring with new or other stagers. I think this is why I like SIF so much!!
Karen - Sounds like you are getting lots of calls for mentoring! I can see where that would be extremely time consuming. I like your idea of referring them to AR and SIF!
Isabel - Were you answers the same?
Cathy - I agree!
Patsy what goes around comes around and you will benefit. Too many people are paranoid about sharing what we do. Personally I'd rather tell them the right way than have it done wrong and hurt the profession. You go girl!
Patsy, it's great that you took the time to mentor a new Stager entering our profession. I am the ethics and mentorship chair of our local IAHSP chapter and that's mainly because in the almost 5 years I've been Staging, I have had countless "newbies" come Stage a home or two with me. In return for their sweat :) they can ask me anything they want about the profession and I always answer honestly and candidly. This profession is not a walk in the park, and not the glamorous job that many think it will be, so I think it's great that they know up front what they're getting into.
Ginger - So true! I don't understand why everyone is so secretive. I mean, it ain't rocket science!
Annie - That sounds like a great trade-off. I'm going to check with my local chapter to see if ethics and mentorship are combined. To my knowledge, they are not, but it sounds like a winning combination. Thanks for your comments.
I agree with Ginger and think you will reep the rewards of your generosity. Industry awareness will grow and strengthen if we all work together!
Hi Patsy, How could I have missed you here??? You are located very near me.
How nice of you to to take the time to mentor this new person, they are very lucky indeed. Mentoring can be so fun and being mentored is a thrill too!
Lisa - Thanks for your comments.
Cynthia - Yes, I had noticed we are neighbors! We'll have to meet for coffee soon.
Sounds good to me Patsy! I'm off to work now, hope your day goes well.
Patsy, I loved reading about your lunch, it sounds like it was fun for you and a wonderful opportunity for her. Some people would want to keep all their information a secret, keep the competition at bay, its a great reflection on you that you instead jumped right in to share.
Beth - Thank you. I think it was more fun for me than for her.
Patsy I think it is great that you share freely with others that want to learn. I think much the same way!
Thanks, Bill. And I think you are awesome!!! I love to read your posts. Thanks for mentoring us on AR.
I know this topic is 5 months old, but I am in the thick of the mentoring process with new stagers (and have been for a year or two). As the local RESA chapter President, I receive numerous requests like you descibed. I have talked to the requestors on the phone, via email, and in the monthly RESA meeting. Recently, I decided to start a blog, The Staging Mentor, www.stagingmentor.com
It is a work in progress and I welcome comments from veteran stagers as well as newbies as far as topics, resources, etc.
Guest bloggers are more than welcome and would save me from another late night, let me know your thoughts!
Beth - What a great blog and resource! Very impressive! I will definitely visit again and will comment when I have anything to add.