These days, financial concerns seem to dominate the news media as shaken investors look for safe options. International equity markets haven’t performed well over the last decade. Neither have other conventional options.
The fixation of the media on investment options recently brought an important question to my mind: how many home staging professionals are investing in their most valuable asset… themselves?
While investing into a mutual fund or a stock may net you a 10% return if you’re lucky, resources that you invest in your own knowledge and education will repay you hundreds, if not thousands, of times over.
As a home staging professional, you ultimately create the ceiling for the success of your career. How many clients you acquire, how many employees you hire, how dominant you are in your market, how much money you make… you are the only one who has the ability to limit yourself.
If your knowledge and understanding of the industry is constantly growing, so is the potential for your business.
On the other hand, if you keep doing the “same old thing”, why would you expect your results to change?
If you’re serious about succeeding with a home staging business, you need to invest in yourself. Here are three ways to begin:
1) Create a reading list—and read on a daily basis! There is an incredible amount of information available if you are smart enough to look for it! Whether its books or blogs focused on business, sales, marketing, strategic planning, or tactics for the home staging industry specifically, I guarantee that you will be able to find valuable information that will have a real impact.
2) Seek wisdom from experienced professionals who have found success. There is no substitute for experience—and whether we are talking specifically about home staging or about business in general, those that have found success are invaluable resources. Seek out professionals who are willing to share their knowledge with you. Ask them what contributed to their success. Ask them to share some of the lessons that they learned the hard way. Ask them what they would do to grow their business, if they were in your shoes. You will find some aren’t interested in sharing their secrets—but you’ll find plenty who are thrilled to share their knowledge with you. At CSP International™ the apprentice and mentor program provides that foundation and resource.
3) Take courses to increase your knowledge. Courses such as the CSP International™ Real Estate Staging Certification will fill in the “gaps” of your understanding of the home staging industry and provides a platform to take your business to the next level. At CSP, we utilize a combination of classroom, applied learning, home study and live coaching giving graduates the tools necessary for success. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity— Call 1 888 STAGING for more information!
There is no better investment that you can make than in yourself. As a home staging professional, your success is virtually unlimited. Investing into your own education and ability will allow you to grow your business and to truly live your dream. So forget the stock market—invest in yourself!
