I share my story how I started my home staging business from the ground up and also share a daily staging vlog showing you what a typical day looks like as a home stager.
Wow! We have similar stories! PSY major too. I own a staging company (Viano Decor) in Los Angeles. We staged 94 homes our first year. I had no idea what I was doing but was too deep in the hole to back out. It’s definitely a business that requires a lot of work and it’s not all glam all the time. We’ve been staging 150+ homes a year. See you at the top!
I want to do this!! I just quit nursing school because I realized it's just NOT what I want to do, and it's been my dream to have a job like this!! I've always been the person that rearranges my room 500 times and always adds new things, and paints the wall over and over again lol. I just can't get enough of it. I have some questions: How do you even get in contact with people who want home staging done?? Do you need a portfolio with work you've done before? Do you need to buy all the furniture yourself before reaching out to people to hire you? If I have no money at the moment, what steps do I need to take to become a hired home stager? I know these are a lot of questions, but I'm 100% into this and all the videos I've watched don't really go over these questions! Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!! -Sonja
It was great to hear your story. I became interested in Real Estate and failed the first time I look the test. Stumbled on to home staging and loved it. Got certified and then still had that itch for Real Estate. Took the test again and passed! So now here I am, still dreaming about staging but terrified to start. Fear is really not our friend. I’m hoping to find the courage to get started because I really want to do this. Thanks for the motivation! Please continue to share your journey! Much success!
That's awesome! Thanks for sharing your story. I started my business a couple of months ago after losing my job due to Covid. I've staged a couple of homes so far and I have a few pending projects. I agree it's a lot more work than people think. I say it's more like a project management job. However, I'm having the time of my life! Btw...love your style and good luck with your business. ;)
Thanks Darchell. Can I pick your brain a little bit. I wanted to get starting in home staging but I'm a little stuck. When it comes to the furniture how did start? Did you just start buying or did you rent the larger pieces to begin? Did you start staging entire home from the get go? Do you rent a storage location? Did you hire movers? I'm looking into those details I'm stuck on. Any advice is appreciated.
@@janb6203 HI, I'm stuck too. I finished my course, I've gotten my business name and LLC, but I just don't know how to get customers. I find my market is horrible! There is a UA-cam channel called RevisionMentors they're great as well! Good Luck!
@@roseannakyle1275 Hi! Thanks for the tip. I’ve also been watching Revisions Mentor and yes they are great. Which school did you take your course with? Good for you for getting your LLC. I haven’t taken that step yet. What city do you live in? I think that when getting marketing is #1. Have a Facebook page, instagram, etc. If you have real estate agent friends reach out to them. Have your website with great pics. Just let the world know what you are doing. I live in the Chicago land area and there are a lot of big companies out here but I still want to do this and just need to take the leap. Best of luck to you!
Ali, Thank you so much for the great video. I love how you tell the good and the not so great parts of staging. I started a staging business a few months ago and I am having difficulty getting that first client. I would love to see more of your work and know where you get your inventory, how you price your job and so much more. Thank you!!!
Hi Ali I usually don’t comment on videos but I had to today. I just found you and I really enjoyed this video! You are so down to earth and honest. I just filed my LLC for my new business here in S. Florida for Spotlite Couture Homes and I could already see it’s not going to be all about the glitz & glam 😩 I’m waiting to sit for my state exam as a Real Estate Agent but decided to offer Home Staging as another source of income. So basically when you said you failed the test by 1 point my face looked like this 😳 and this 😬 I’ve always loved the idea of becoming a Realtor but Decorating is my baby it’s my passion. My son gets annoyed with me when I go to 6 different stores to find that one perfect piece that I happen to be looking for to decorate a home (I know it when I see it) 🤣 anyway I loved your story and wish you all the best! Very similar to my story being to it that I’m transitioning from the healthcare field after almost 20 years. I’m nervous but I’m ready.. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith!
I think when starting out it’s much better to not buy inventory and use rental. You have to invest all that money to buy house insure move the furniture. Work smarter not harder as they say. You can always decide to do that after you are established.
Thank you so much for the video. We started the same business at the same time. It is so funny like I can relate with almost every word of your video. Thank you for sharing.
I didn’t have a following and I’m sure local realtors follow you too, as a LOT of people are realtors. The realtor who I’m referring to happens to be someone I went to college with and became a realtor. She gave me a chance.
This was a really great and informative video! Thank you! How do you go about finding a warehouse set up? I am starting my own home staging business and I also paint and upcycle furniture so I really need storage space. I read an article that it may be more practical to just get your basic storage rental unit as opposed to renting warehouse space. What are your thoughts? By the way I first got my real estate license about 15 years ago and I passed the test the very first time. I worked as an administrative assistant full time so I ended up becoming a referral agent but really didn’t have the time to invest. I let my license expire and now I just completed courses and studying to take the test all over again. Let me tell you it seems much more difficult to grasp the concepts then it was 15 years ago!! I do believe it’s because my heart and passion has always been in design and now I am really struggling to get through r.e concepts. All this to say, it was refreshing to hear you say something very similar to what I am feeling. 😊 I do hope I pass. 🤞
Hi, can someone who's starting off on this same path, lead me in the right direction as to where do I get certified, do I start buying furniture..or what other options. Also most importantly, do you approach real estate agencies & offer your business or? I'm so lost..please help 😫
Shame no one responded Laura 😔 Don't know about certification as I'm in the UK and we don't need it. Definitely get insurance! Don't buy any furniture until you've got your first job, but do keep pieces you already have that might come in handy. Absolutely approach agents and developers and anyone working even peripherally in property and construction. Get a good portfolio, cover letter/ CV and business cards. Email is fine but person to person is best. Join forums, business clubs etc. No portfolio? Do up a room I your own house/relatives houses, write a case study around it. Be honest, everyone started somewhere! Good luck.
What course do u have to take for staging- I’m a nurse 55 years old and I want to retire and do staging. I’d like to work with builders so I thought I’d need a real estate license. You really did a great video-
I think when starting out it’s much better to not buy inventory and use rental. You have to invest all that money to buy house insure move the furniture. Work smarter not harder as they say. You can always decide to do that after you are established.
Wow! We have similar stories! PSY major too. I own a staging company (Viano Decor) in Los Angeles. We staged 94 homes our first year. I had no idea what I was doing but was too deep in the hole to back out. It’s definitely a business that requires a lot of work and it’s not all glam all the time. We’ve been staging 150+ homes a year. See you at the top!
I love this!! I follow you on IG. I’m obsessed wjth your progression video of where you started vs. now. I love it and so similar to me! Congrats!!
Is registration required for starting the home staging business?
@@selfishmomalikay
How can I contact you to ask more questions?
Thank you for sharing !!! Just followed your page Johanna! Your work is amazing! I am a realtor in Charlotte working to start up my staging company
I want to do this!! I just quit nursing school because I realized it's just NOT what I want to do, and it's been my dream to have a job like this!! I've always been the person that rearranges my room 500 times and always adds new things, and paints the wall over and over again lol. I just can't get enough of it.
I have some questions:
How do you even get in contact with people who want home staging done??
Do you need a portfolio with work you've done before?
Do you need to buy all the furniture yourself before reaching out to people to hire you?
If I have no money at the moment, what steps do I need to take to become a hired home stager?
I know these are a lot of questions, but I'm 100% into this and all the videos I've watched don't really go over these questions!
Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!!
-Sonja
For the furniture part, you will use a furniture rental. They lease you the furniture to stage.
It was great to hear your story. I became interested in Real Estate and failed the first time I look the test. Stumbled on to home staging and loved it. Got certified and then still had that itch for Real Estate. Took the test again and passed! So now here I am, still dreaming about staging but terrified to start. Fear is really not our friend. I’m hoping to find the courage to get started because I really want to do this. Thanks for the motivation! Please continue to share your journey! Much success!
That’s awesome! That’s another goal of mine but Maybe after I master staging 😊
Did you eventually start?
Hello, any recommendation for home staging courses?
That's awesome! Thanks for sharing your story. I started my business a couple of months ago after losing my job due to Covid. I've staged a couple of homes so far and I have a few pending projects. I agree it's a lot more work than people think. I say it's more like a project management job. However, I'm having the time of my life! Btw...love your style and good luck with your business. ;)
Thanks Darchell. Can I pick your brain a little bit. I wanted to get starting in home staging but I'm a little stuck. When it comes to the furniture how did start? Did you just start buying or did you rent the larger pieces to begin? Did you start staging entire home from the get go? Do you rent a storage location? Did you hire movers? I'm looking into those details I'm stuck on. Any advice is appreciated.
@@janb6203 HI, I'm stuck too. I finished my course, I've gotten my business name and LLC, but I just don't know how to get customers. I find my market is horrible! There is a UA-cam channel called RevisionMentors they're great as well! Good Luck!
@@roseannakyle1275 Hi! Thanks for the tip. I’ve also been watching Revisions Mentor and yes they are great. Which school did you take your course with? Good for you for getting your LLC. I haven’t taken that step yet. What city do you live in? I think that when getting marketing is #1. Have a Facebook page, instagram, etc. If you have real estate agent friends reach out to them. Have your website with great pics. Just let the world know what you are doing. I live in the Chicago land area and there are a lot of big companies out here but I still want to do this and just need to take the leap. Best of luck to you!
Ali, Thank you so much for the great video. I love how you tell the good and the not so great parts of staging. I started a staging business a few months ago and I am having difficulty getting that first client. I would love to see more of your work and know where you get your inventory, how you price your job and so much more. Thank you!!!
Thank you for this video! I feel super encouraged to start my journey as a home stager
thank you for sharing this! I am just about to start my own firm, I am so inspired by you!
Great story and thanks for sharing that it’s not all glam.
Hi Ali I usually don’t comment on videos but I had to today. I just found you and I really enjoyed this video! You are so down to earth and honest. I just filed my LLC for my new business here in S. Florida for Spotlite Couture Homes and I could already see it’s not going to be all about the glitz & glam 😩 I’m waiting to sit for my state exam as a Real Estate Agent but decided to offer Home Staging as another source of income. So basically when you said you failed the test by 1 point my face looked like this 😳 and this 😬 I’ve always loved the idea of becoming a Realtor but Decorating is my baby it’s my passion. My son gets annoyed with me when I go to 6 different stores to find that one perfect piece that I happen to be looking for to decorate a home (I know it when I see it) 🤣 anyway I loved your story and wish you all the best! Very similar to my story being to it that I’m transitioning from the healthcare field after almost 20 years. I’m nervous but I’m ready.. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith!
I think when starting out it’s much better to not buy inventory and use rental. You have to invest all that money to buy house insure move the furniture. Work smarter not harder as they say. You can always decide to do that after you are established.
Love the story. Where did you go to get certified in staging like you stated?
I would like to know that
Thank you for this this is awesome. Happy for y’all.
Thank you so much for the video. We started the same business at the same time. It is so funny like I can relate with almost every word of your video. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing!❤
Local realtors that followed me.. oh
I didn’t have a following and I’m sure local realtors follow you too, as a LOT of people are realtors. The realtor who I’m referring to happens to be someone I went to college with and became a realtor. She gave me a chance.
Hi Ali! Thank you so much for sharing your story! Very inspiring! Could you share which courses you took?
What do you do if a client that is buying a home wants to buy the decor? How do you keep track of inventory and prices if you offer that?
This was a really great and informative video! Thank you! How do you go about finding a warehouse set up? I am starting my own home staging business and I also paint and upcycle furniture so I really need storage space. I read an article that it may be more practical to just get your basic storage rental unit as opposed to renting warehouse space. What are your thoughts? By the way I first got my real estate license about 15 years ago and I passed the test the very first time. I worked as an administrative assistant full time so I ended up becoming a referral agent but really didn’t have the time to invest. I let my license expire and now I just completed courses and studying to take the test all over again. Let me tell you it seems much more difficult to grasp the concepts then it was 15 years ago!! I do believe it’s because my heart and passion has always been in design and now I am really struggling to get through r.e concepts. All this to say, it was refreshing to hear you say something very similar to what I am feeling. 😊 I do hope I pass. 🤞
Loved this video. The music is a bit too loud and distracting. Actually, not even needed. I was glued to what you said anyway.
Thank you for the video, very helpful! Where did you get certified and they reach you about how to price consults and staging?
How many rooms do you stage in a home? How much do you charge?
Can you please share who you went through to get your home staging cert. please thank you so much
From where you did certification course?
Hi, can someone who's starting off on this same path, lead me in the right direction as to where do I get certified, do I start buying furniture..or what other options. Also most importantly, do you approach real estate agencies & offer your business or? I'm so lost..please help 😫
first, your mother should be realtor. Otherwise you'll fail.
Shame no one responded Laura 😔
Don't know about certification as I'm in the UK and we don't need it. Definitely get insurance!
Don't buy any furniture until you've got your first job, but do keep pieces you already have that might come in handy.
Absolutely approach agents and developers and anyone working even peripherally in property and construction. Get a good portfolio, cover letter/ CV and business cards. Email is fine but person to person is best. Join forums, business clubs etc.
No portfolio? Do up a room I your own house/relatives houses, write a case study around it. Be honest, everyone started somewhere!
Good luck.
With home staging. Do I have to pay for the furniture with my own money? Pick up furniture? Etc.
I think there are different ways. It can be both. There is vacant home staging and occupied hone staging.
Just wondering what type of fees you charge for staging? I’m sure it’s very market dependent but I was wondering about a range
Stopped listening after the “…and my mom, who is a realtor, got this house , that needed to be staged”
Lol why?
Thanks for sharing your journey. Did you collaborate with artists (paintings) for your inventory ?
Hey! Loved your video. How much did you charge to stage the homes?
Nice sharing . What app do you use ?
Thanks
What course do u have to take for staging- I’m a nurse 55 years old and I want to retire and do staging. I’d like to work with builders so I thought I’d need a real estate license. You really did a great video-
May I ask what corse you took?
Hi! This is a dream of mine. Which course did you take to get accredited?
I took the course through Staging Studio!
How do you get paid????
Where do you take the course?
I did it from stagedhomes.com to become “ASP” accredited
Thank you for sharing your story. I am interested in opening my own staging business as well and this definitely has helped.
Hello, any recommendation for home staging courses?
This is what I’m curious about too!
How do you stage beds?
Boxes on top air mattress
I think when starting out it’s much better to not buy inventory and use rental. You have to invest all that money to buy house insure move the furniture. Work smarter not harder as they say. You can always decide to do that after you are established.