I can’t believe I made it through my first “year” as an empty nester. I’m off to pick up my “bigger” girl from college. Now to learn how to deal with a teen who is used to not having a curfew anymore. Any tips are most welcome.

Last month I wrote about a client who took my home staging advice and sold in less than a week with 4 offers at $70,000 over asking. A couple of weeks later I was invited to apply for a host spot for a new HGTV show and my home staging client helped me shoot my demo video for it.

I don’t know whether I’ll get the host spot but I was thrilled when the casting director said my submission was “right on the money.” Now it goes up the chain of command and we’ll see what happens. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Have you heard about the 4 latest home staging jobs? They’re in North Carolina, Massachusetts and California. If you’re not getting job notifications, subscribe to Home Staging Business Report by filling in the big box on the home page.

I recently wrote about whether you’re stuck with your home staging business name if you decide you don’t like it, and what to do if you started with a sole proprietorship and want to switch. If you missed the story on my blog, check it out and see the comments from fellow stagers.

In this month’s articles I share the staging of 2 model homes, the fastest and easiest way to get unstuck and open up the question of whether you need a professional photographer or you can DIY for your portfolio. You’ll also meet 4 inspiring home stagers.

To read this month’s home staging articles Click Here.

And don’t forget to check out our Mother’s Day Madness Event going on right now with savings of up to 50%. Visit http://www.stagingdiva.com/store/.

The spring home staging season is in full swing and my phone is ringing daily with new staging, color consultation and redesign projects.

A recent home staging client’s agent wanted her to put in all new furniture but I knew the cottage-vibe would appeal to local buyers. She took my advice and we used what she already had in new ways. The house sold in less than a week with 4 offers at $70,000 over asking. As a special thanks the owner-artist gave me a lovely encaustic painting for my home!

Last week I did a redesign consultation for a client whose home I staged last year. It was great to see her new home and find ways for her to enjoy it more as her toddlers grow.

A recent town house color consultation reminded me how much I love working with color. Since the client has no plans to move, we went bolder than I normally do. The new 6-color palette allows each room to flow easily to the next.

The home staging job in Los Angeles County is still available for Staging Diva Graduates. If you’re not getting job notifications, subscribe to Home Staging Business Report by filling in the big box on the home page.

I recently wrote about the un-motivating gap we can fall into when we fail to recognize our own success, and the importance of finding “wins.” If you missed it in my blog, check it out and see the comments from fellow stagers.

In this month’s articles I share 3 home staging portfolio tips using an example of a bedroom transformation by Staging Diva Grad Daryl Rosenbaum.

You’ll discover two events you can attend with me in the weeks ahead, get access to a home staging consultation video by Barbara Corcoran, and more.

Please email me about any topics you’d like me to cover in Staging Diva Dispatch or the Home Staging Business Report in the coming months.

Click here to read this month’s home staging articles.

March is here and with it a fresh season and what could be a fresh start for your home staging business. My own surgery and my teen’s broken foot made February a challenge and inspired my blog post Is Your Home Staging Business Off Track?

In it, I shared the importance of taking breaks when we need them and not beating ourselves up over it. After all, a big perk of having your own business is the freedom and flexibility it offers.

Since many of us become discouraged by real estate agents, in one of this month’s articles I introduce you to one Realtor who stages all of her listings, and the sales results she achieves because of it.

I also share the transformation of an outdoor patio area, 5 habits of successful home stagers, and how Staging Diva Graduates in both Germany and British Columbia are getting attention for their staging businesses.

You’ll discover two March events I’m hosting (one of them is a free mini course for aspiring home stagers!) and meet two new home stagers who just joined the Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers.

My goal is to give you the information and inspiration you need to create a successful home staging business. If you have a story idea or question you’d like me to answer in a future article, please email and let me know.

Click here to read this month’s inspiring home staging business articles.

Happy Spring. Like you, I can’t wait to see all the flowers and For Sale signs pop up in my neighbourhood.

“Giving up fear is like giving up sugar: they’re both sneaky ingredients that hide out in almost everything.” – Gabrielle Bernstein

I love that quote because I’ve made it my mission to eradicate both sugar and fear from my life. It’s a constant challenge of course.

I gave up sugar in October and, other than Christmas, I’ve pretty much stuck to it. Fear comes and goes depending on how far out of my comfort zone I’m pushing myself personally or professionally.

For my birthday I went 3,000 ft up in an hot air balloon to get over my fear of heights. This month I started Improv classes to overcome my fear of looking dumb.

What’s interesting is how getting over your fears in one area of your life sets you up to overcome challenges in others. I’m always amazed at how much overlap there is when I coach home stagers.

In this month’s articles focus on different aspects of home staging marketing because it’s so critical to your home staging success.

You’ll learn how to help potential clients know like and trust you and how procrastination is really just a fear avoidance strategy.

You’ll discover the business-killing home staging portfolio traps to avoid, meet 10 Staging Diva students and Graduates who are home staging award Finalists, and more.

As always, my mission is to help you create your ideal business and lifestyle while having fun along the way.

I wish you every success in 2013 and encourage you to write me about any topics you’d like me to cover in Staging Diva Dispatch or the Home Staging Business Report in the coming months.

Click here to read this month’s articles about home staging.

PS – If you’ve been thinking about starting a home staging business be sure to sign up for the free 5 Simple Secrets to a Home Staging Business: How to Make Money Doing What You Love mini course
> Sign up here if you’ve never taken Staging Diva courses (otherwise you already know these 5 secrets!)

Home Stager, as we begin this new year, I hope you’re taking time to dream about what you can achieve. One of my mentors says that we shouldn’t just write lists of goals, we should create a manifesto for our lives. Just recounting this to you I get the same prickle up the back of my neck as when I first heard it. What an empowering idea, don’t you think?

In this month’s articles I’ll share the first home staging job posting of the year, showcase two vacant staging projects and their results, plus how you can take advantage of a free home stager publicity service I offer my students and graduates.

You’ll discover the home staging consultation traps to avoid, have a chance join me for a no-cost teleseminar, and meet an inspiring home stager who landed on her feet after 2 divorces.

As we move into the 9th year of the Staging Diva Training Program I’m really proud of the community of home stagers we have in 22 countries.

All the content about home staging that I create reaches thousands of wonderfully creative women and men who are stepping into the power of using their God-given talents to make a living. I find that incredibly inspiring.

Thanks to all of you who sent your holiday wishes and feedback to the Horoscope or Home Stagers I sent out as a New Year’s gift.

As always, my mission is to help you create your ideal business and lifestyle while having fun along the way.

Click here to read about the great project opportunity for a lucky home stager as well as all other articles for this month.

Happy New Year Home Stager and I wish you every success in 2013.

Welcome home stager to this month’s Staging Diva Dispatch.

First I want to thank everyone for writing with your birthday wishes, I really appreciate it. I celebrated my 53rd by conquering my fear of heights and floating 3,000 feet over the desert without a safety net.

In this month’s posts I’ll share a very personal story about fear and how it can help you with your business. You’ll see a great example of how simple staging recommendations can make all the difference, give the opportunity to  join me for a no-cost teleseminar, and meet two inspiring home stagers.

I hope you enjoy this month’s articles on the Staging Diva Dispatch. Please don’t forget to send me your story ideas and questions, whether you’re totally new to staging or you’ve been at it for years. I love reading your feedback and success stories and I know they are also very informative, motivating and encouraging for other fellow home stagers.

My goal is to share with you inspiring ideas and tips that will help you no matter where you’re at in your journey of growing a successful home staging and interior redesign business.

We are all on this journey together even when we’re not all exactly in the same place at the same time.

My thoughts and prayers are with all the members of our community who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Click on this link to read all of this month’s home staging posts in the Staging Diva Dispatch. I hope you enjoy reading them and that they help propel you forward towards your dream life.

PS: Did Your Get Your Birthday Gift?

Home stager, if you didn’t get a birthday gift from me this year, click here to join my birthday list for free. I promise to send you a surprise on your special day!

Welcome to my summary of October’s Staging Diva Dispatch articles.

It’s my 53rd birthday this month and I’m continuing to adjust to my new life as an empty-nester.

That’s why I’ve been writing about how to stop procrastinating and get more done. It’s been on my mind a lot as I question how I want to move forward and develop new goals and plans.

In this month’s articles you’ll see a great example of how to stage a master bedroom, discover a crazy revelation I had that totally changes how I choose what ideas to pursue, have a chance to sign up for a no-cost teleseminar with me and meet 9 inspiring home stagers.

That cold nip in the air is reminding me that the holiday season is almost upon us and with it the end of this year’s busy home staging season.

Did you accomplish everything you wanted to in 2012 as a home stager?

Whether you’re a new or established home stager (or you’re only in the early planning stages), I want you to be the first to know about my Big Birthday Sale starting today. You’ll find significant savings on a whole range of products and services to take your staging career to a whole new level.

I’ve learned a lot the hard way on my journey as an entrepreneur since 1998 and home stager since 2002. This means I can cut a ton of corners for you. So if you’re feeling life is short and there’s no time to waste, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to get the training or coaching needed to follow my success blueprint. You’ll save time, energy and frustration when you know how to turn your creative talents into a profitable staging and redesign business.

I hope you enjoy this month’s Staging Diva Dispatch. Click here to read all the home staging business articles.

Happy Fall (or Spring for my Australian readers)!

P.S. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I wrote Heroes of Home Staging with ways to support research and saluting home stagers who have battled their way back from this terrible disease.

Thanks to all of you who took me up on my offer to trade your “empty-nest” tips with my staging business ones!

This past month has been quite an adjustment for me. Having raised a child entirely on my own, I’ve had little time for anything besides parenting and being an entrepreneur over the past 18 years.

Besides all the emotions of letting my baby move out (too soon), I’m re-learning shopping and cooking for one and exploring how I’ll spend my extra time! Now that business travel is suddenly a possibility for me, I’ve got some speaking opportunities and conferences coming up in the months ahead.

Starting and growing a business is a lot like parenthood.

You feel totally scared and ill-equipped at the beginning. Then you gradually grow into your role as a business owner as your business finds its footing.

Each stage of the growth of your home staging business offers new joys, challenges, and opportunities for self-expression and personal growth.

There is no way to imagine all of these before you start and that’s part of what makes it such a rewarding adventure!

So if you’re sitting on the side-lines waiting to feel “totally ready” or waiting for everything else in your life to be “perfect,” forget it! Just like this never happens before you become a parent, it won’t happen before you start your business.

By all means get the training and coaching needed to understand how to turn your creative talents into an actual staging and redesign business, but accept that you will also continue to learn every day in the future.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for close to 25 years (10 as a home stager) and I continue to learn. Otherwise, I’d be completely bored, wouldn’t you?

In this month’s articles you’ll meet 7 inspiring home stagers, see a great example of how home staging warms up a boxy condo, learn about making a video, plus deal with those “bullies” holding you back from living your dreams.

To read the full articles visit: Home Staging Articles for September 2012.

I hope you enjoy this month’s Staging Diva Dispatch. Please send me your questions or story ideas so that I can cover them in future articles or in the Home Staging Business Report.

P.S. I’m looking for a Southern California home stager for a $850,000 vacant home! Get the job details here.

If you’re one of the 350 new members of the Staging Diva community, welcome! We’re now 20,000 strong and I love reading your emails, tweets, Facebook and blog comments.

That story I wrote asking how you feel about gray walls really struck a chord. At last count there were over 40 comments!

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, questions, challenges and insights. I’m especially grateful when you jump in and support each other as you did when I shared the story of one home staging mother of 6 who had to start over in a new town in her 50s.

July was a busy month. I redesigned the Home Staging Business Report. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you should check it out. I post one to two new articles or home staging job postings every week. Plus I’d love your thoughts on the new look!

In this month’s posts you’ll discover: how one home stager won over a doubting husband with a speedy sale, how to take a vacation from your business without worrying that it will fall apart while you’re gone, and a no-cost marketing strategy that you can use in your home staging business right away.

I hope you enjoy this month’s Staging Diva Dispatch. Please add your comments below and send me your questions or story ideas so that I can cover them in future posts or in the Home Staging Business Report blog.

To read the full posts of this month’s Staging Diva Dispatch visit:  Home Staging Articles for August.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!