I have often wondered why banks and restaurants put their businesses right next to each other and I always ask "Why build your business right next to your competitor? Then someone answered my question with this; "If you want to do your banking you go where the banks are. If you don't like something your bank did, you go next door. If you go to your favorite restaurant all the time and want a change, you know where to go because you have been looking at their sign for months". Ah, that is it!
So what are we going to do when the competition comes to town? What we need to do is invite them in. People are not going to be looking for property merchandisers next to the dress shop or the grocery store; they are going to be looking for Home Stagers next to the other Stagers, Decorator's, Real Estate Agencies and even furniture stores.
Do we naturally feel like we are in direct competition with our peers? Of course! Until we realize that there is a huge, gigantic, enormous, delicious pie bigger that we can imagine waiting to smother us with its' delights. I recently commented on one of Craig Schiller's posts and Jessica Hughes suggested that I make a post out of it so here it is. Thank you Jessica because we need to embody the vastness of our opportunities.
"5% of the country can afford a decorator and 1% of that elite group hires them. That leaves 95% of the country pining for the good life. They scramble through magazines and showrooms hoping that someday they will be able to afford the nicer things in life. I don't know what percentage of the 95% that is so poor they are just hoping for their next meal and some shelter, but for the sake of getting to my point...
The home stager has 95% of the country to decorate for., not just home sellers. Opening up to this opportunity is the challenge. The fast track for the fast decorator is yet just a spark".
Active Rain is going to experience an influx of competators that have set up shop right next door to you. That is the time to step up your game, offer your very best, give more than you take, and get your piece of the unlimited pie.
Stage It Forward!
Namaste
Sheron, you are very right. There is more work than any one of us can handle alone. One person can't get or even do all of the jobs anyway. Doing excellent work is what will grow each of our businesses. It is better to have a network to share with than to isolate ourselves in fear of the competition.
Neither McDonalds nor Burger King are going out of business...
I like how you worded "the fast decorator" good terminology for what we do. When I stage a home, the homeowners always ask if I would come and help them place their items in their new home. And you are absolutely right that this field is wide open and very affordable to those that cannot afford a decorator.
Love it!! Phyllis Pafumi
I'm the president of the Aurora IAHSP. I love meeting up the members for networking and brainstorming. One person can only stage so many homes!
Sheron,
Love this post! Great job!
It has been my contention for some time now, that if most of the realtors in our areas use stagers, there will be more than enough business for all of us! The real challenge lies in getting everyone on board - realtors and sellers alike!
You should have told me you blogged about this Sheron! I only just noticed it!
I like the spin you put on it. So true!
I'm hungry for some pie so... gotta run!
Keep them coming
You make an excellent point Sheron... I've known this about other businesses, but of course having so many stagers in my backyard makes me a little nervous! There seems to be about 3 of us marketing ourselves full just in the last year... the good thing about that though is that the more houses that are staged, the more the others will need to be staged. The house that looks good this month, is going to be the house that needs staging next month.
If you do good work, and have integrity - you can make a name for yourself, regardless of the "competition"
Hello gang,
You are so right. Looking at our Friday Real Estate weekly. I would say there are 400 homes for sale. and at least 60 Realtors and only two Realtors advertise home staging One is mine and the other are two Realtors who are ASP's I am sure there are wanna be's out there --- I have heard of a couple. but the opportunity is there. Just gotta get out there and sell STAGING . Open house here I come.
Good place to shop Super Store the quality is okay--- price is fantastic now that they are blowing out their stock. $79.00 for a table---- would be great in a condo. Dark woood etc and clear glass vases and all the goodies to go in them and denim and leather (faux of course) 8/1/2 by 11 boxes with lids for $7.95 Was in Zellers's got Alfred Sung towels and bedding half off--- ONLY IN CANADA YOU SAY-----
Anyhooo grreat shopping time.
Marilynn Currie CSP Abbotsford/Chilliwack B.C.
Too much pie makes one fat - bring on the pie! I love pie and don't mind sharing either!
Sheron,
That was REALLY a terrific Post!
When I find myself getting intimidated by competition, I just have to remind myself a few things:
Thanks!
All the Best,
Sean Alvarez
Watch My Listings
Sounds like you've got it all under control Sean.
Here's a some pie for you Ms. Karen! Have as many pieces as you like and there is more where that came from.
If you eat the whole pie, you would be a glutton!!! There is definitely plenty to go around. People should welcome competition. Without competition we get lazy and complacent. A competitior on our heels, brings out the best in us and makes us strive to do better!!!!
I'm more than willing to share that big pie!!!!
Connie - thank you for commenting and sharing how you network. You are a really good role model and you should post about how you network.
John - no one is going to bring me my pie? Now you tell me! Boohoo :...(
I'm the new President of the Raleigh IAHSP (Michelle Kuerlich is also on the board - yay Michelle) and I promote a friendly, sharing atmosphere, not one of competition. My theory is that I just want whoever does a Staging to do it well, not shortchange themselves & get paid peanuts, and grow their business. I figure if the Stagers here can't "ger`er dun" (thanks Larry the Cable Guy) then they need help to learn and expand. When Stagers, no matter how they learn do a great job, it benefits ALL Stagers. When I first started my biz, I learned from fellow Stagers. And in turn when I need a hand, I find new Stagers to work with so I in turn can pass it forward :) There is PLENTYYYYYYYYYYYYYY of biz to go around!
Great post Sheron! How is life in the Central Valley of lovley CA?
Karen - congratulations on your new designation, I am the National Vice President for RESA. Here is to the big pie in the sky and I am sure we will be crossing each others paths outside of AR. And it is HOT here...yuk!
Ray - sounds like the real estate schools have made a killing. Don't forget to put a little ice cream on that pie!
Keep you friends close, keep your competitor's closer!
I am in the practice of holding "Staging meetings" with fellow stagers. It helps everyone.
I use a few of them to give me a hand when I need it. We learn from each other; as well, it's lonely and boring when you're doing it on your own.
Julia
Karen - thank you for your kind words...just passing it on.
Michelle - also some very good advice for all.
Julia - maybe you would like to form a RESA chapter for your area.