What I Wish Someone Had Told Me...
I always knew I would be a designer, although I took quite a few detours along the way. But the thing that was really holding me back and keeping me from launching that career I knew I was suited for was the amount of time and money that getting a degree would entail.
So you'll believe me when I say that I wish someone had told me before I spent 40k on an interior design degree that I could become a home stager TOMORROW for free. 🤣😅
Not to make it sound like it's easy or without challenges, but it's been an incredibly fulfilling career that provides a stable income for me while allowing me to have the flexible schedule that I always craved.
I'm on fire to find as many creatives with mad potential out there who could be rocking a home staging career, they just need to know about how to start.
The $97 course I created is the most affordable out there, but not because it has less value than others - in fact it honestly has more value than most! But I *need* to help you find a better life, and that matters so much more to me than making money.
So many people are stuck in jobs and lives they don't love, all the while knowing they're meant for so much more, but unsure of where to start.
That describes me exactly nine years ago, right before I launched my staging company and turned my life around. Now I want to pass that knowledge on to as many people as I can by teaching how to start a Home Staging business, even if you have a small budget and no degree.
In This Post We'll Go Over:
- What training you need to become a Home Stager
- The necessary qualities you need to be successful
- How to get started
Let's dive in so you can get a feel for whether or not this is the right next step for you. And if you feel the warm fuzzies or the call of adventure nipping at your senses, then you'll know what to do next to start building the life and career of your dreams!
What Training You Need
So there's the question - if you don't need a degree in design, what training or certification do you need to become a stager?
The answer is, absolutely none.
Lots of people will try to tell you that you HAVE to take an industry approved course to become a Home Stager, but the truth is there is no licensure required. It's a completely unregulated industry, which means anybody can call themselves a Stager! (Other course creators like to make you think it's required to take a course so that you'll buy theirs, but you're in a no B.S. zone, so you'll only find the truth here.) 😉
That being said, knowing the ropes is important to any successful entrepreneur. So is it worth it to invest thousands in one of the 'certified' staging courses?
The answer is different for everyone, but if you're starting your business in a lower income area, or if you have a smaller start-up budget (or no budget at all), then those costly courses are more likely to put you in debt than help you climb out of it.
In fact, when I was a new stager I invested over $1200 I didn't have in a course because I thought it would help me find more clients, organize my business better, and make more money.
In reality, it did none of those things, and instead left me feeling overwhelmed and more broke than before.
That's why I set out to create resources for other newer stagers with smaller budgets. I was determined to help others avoid the years of headaches I endured getting my business off the ground and profitable.
So after years of working out every single kink in my business, I got to work creating the best, most affordable Home Staging course out there! I think you're going to love it, and I know you'll be shocked at how much value is packed in for just $97.
Alternatively, if you want to figure it out on your own, there are lots of great resources out there including social accounts, Facebook groups, downloadables and podcasts that can help you learn what you need to know. It will take you longer if you decide to DIY it, but it can certainly be done! After all, that's what I did!
What Qualities You Need
Home Stagers come from all kinds of backgrounds, but there are a few characteristics they have in common.
First, they're extremely driven. Being a small business owner requires dedication and a self-starter drive. Nobody is coming to do it for you or tell you what to do next, you have to drive that momentum yourself. And on the tough days, you'll need to maintain a thick skin and a refusal to quit. Business can be tough but it's an incredibly rewarding career if you're brave enough to take the leap!
Second, they have a natural eye for design. This is a muscle that can be strengthened with practice and knowledge, but having that natural ability and affinity for making things look great is pretty key to finding success as a stager.
Third, they're organized and methodical. Now that doesn't mean artistic or creative people can't make a go of it - I know lots of Stagers who are all of those things at once! But to run a successful business you'll need to be on top of things and find ways to stay organized while keeping lots of plates spinning in the air.
Lastly, they're decent with people. That doesn't mean you have to be an extrovert, in fact I'm a card-carrying introvert! But if you genuinely want to help people and believe in the power of staging, then you'll find a way to connect to clients and grow your business. (And if you decide to invest in Stager Starter as your launchpad, you'll have access to my tried and true method of selling without selling - an easy step-by-step method of skyrocketing your rep that never feels icky or salesy.)
If you're still not sure if staging is a good fit for you, take my Staging Quiz to find out!
How to Get Started
If you think that Staging might be a perfect fit for your life and you want to get started, here are the first few steps you'll need to take!
- Get some training - You'll need to either consume a LOT of media (books, articles, blogs, podcasts, social posts etc...) to get a handle on how to run a staging business, or you'll need to invest in a course. If my $97 Stager Starter course sounds like a good fit for you, you can access it here!
- Get licensed - Once you're sure you want to commit to being a business owner, you'll need to legally register your business and get set up with a tax ID number, and look into speaking with an attorney and an accountant as soon as possible so that everything is above board and ready for you to do business.
- Establish a web presence - I recommend starting with a Facebook Page (local Realtors are tapped into FB more than any other social network) and eventually creating a simple website (although you don't need to do that right away). I recommend Pixieset for building your website (that's what I used to create this blog!), and it's also great for invoicing, proposals, contracts, photo storage & delivery, and sooo much more! It's my favorite tool these days. Click here to get $20 off your first month!
- Build up your portfolio - It's time to stage anything and everything you can get your hands on! That means staging before and after pics in your own home, your mom's house, your friend's basement, or even just a dining table or grouping of accessories. You just need to be able to show that you can take a space and make it more appealing, and take pics of the before and after. Then post them all over social media and your website (if you have one) to prove you know what you're doing! Nothing will be more valuable to you as a new stager than Before & After pics. Take as many as possible!
- Spread the Word - Finally, you'll need to tell anyone and everyone about your new business! I recommend building relationships with Realtors by following them on FB, reaching out to buy them a cup of coffee, and finding out how you can help them in their business. If you need help getting the word out, my free mini-course will teach you the exact method I used to go from a nobody to the most respected stager in my area, practically overnight! Click here to access the mini course.
Are You Ready for a New Life?
No joke, becoming a Home Stager absolutely transformed my life. The freedom of setting my own schedule, the satisfaction of creating beautiful designs every day, and the sense of purpose I get from helping others make money, were all facets in helping build a new me.
But the things I learned about myself in the process of becoming an entrepreneur are priceless treasures, and I thank God every single day for the life I'm living.
I want that for you too.
So if you're ready, then what are you waiting for?
There's a whole new future around the corner.
Much Love,
-Amy 😍
