KAZAM... BAM... POW!!!
Whether you are a Realtor, interior designer, appraiser, or any other service provider... this can apply to you too.
I live in a very "stager rich" area of Northern California. There used to be over 250 stagers within a 30 mile radius but now there are maybe 15, if that many, that are actively staging on a weekly basis.
I guess you could call these people my competitors. But I don't see it that way. True, we all are looking for work in similar areas, we sometimes go against each other on bids, and we see another stagers work while perusing vacant properties. My biggest competition is really myself. I am always pushing myself to keep up on trends, to pass out my cards every week, to show up to events, to keep up with networking, following up with clients. If I miss out on something... I am mad at myself. I don't beat myself up over it though, I just make a little note for the next time. My "next time" note book is a novel ;)... ask Ryan ;)
So in conclusion, I compete against myself. The other stagers in my area are in the staging industry. What Ryan and I have to offer our clients far exceeds what anyone else can do. So it is up to "me"(and us) to continue the quest to be the finest, quality, staging service in the whole Sacramento Valley.
I won't stop till we get there!
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Lori Kim Polk is the Founder and Lead Designer of Artful Journey Designs and Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation combined with Ryan Dressel from Stage Right Design located in Roseville, California. Recently featured in Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future. We proudly service Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento and surrounding areas.
Call us today at 916-300-0402 or 916-517-5710 for our premier services. "The art of selling your home!"
Lori Kim Polk is owner of Premiere Home Staging, a full service Home Staging and Design Corporation and nationally recognized leader within the home staging industry located in Roseville, California. Lori Kim has a warehouse full of unique accessories and quality artwork to better serve their growing list of clients in the Sacramento areas. She has been featured in Staging Standard Magazine, Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento News and Review, KFBK radio and SMUD's Home of the Future. Proudly serving realtors, homeowners and investors in Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln, Sacramento, and surrounding areas with exceptional home staging.
Lori Kim has helped stage and market hundreds of homes in the Sacramento, Roseville, and surrounding areas since 2005. Our stats say it all.....current DOM with our staging is 18 days. Call us today at 916-300-0402 for our premier services. "We are changing this market one home at a time!"
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Very true! Does that mean I'm justified when I want to knock myself out sometimes? :)
Michelle... Haa! No, don't really beat yourself up. Get a "next" book and write it down. If tearing a page out of it makes you feel better, then do that ;))
Lori -- if I miss out on a particular staging job to another stager, then I realize it wasn't the right job for me and that another one is around the corner. Having this philosophy always works!! (No need to take notes either LOL)
ME...also! I have to tell you that I offered to rent my staging inventory to the local agents in my recent newsletter and at today's MLS meeting and NO takers...so I guess I don't have to worry about them not wanting me.(as was your concern in my post) ..they just don't want to deal with staging, period! Que sera, sera!
True, I think I'm hardest on myself than anyone else. Everyone offers different services, I know what I can and can't do. That's what matters most to me, I'm not going to try to be someone I can't or provide a service that I don't or can't do. Be who you are!
Maureen... I am with you. Sometimes it just isn't the right fit. My favorite word is "next". I keep notes on everything. A true note taker at heart, because I do go back and reflect on a situation. It is my analytical assessing mind... it drive Ryan crazy.
Ginger... I am concerned about that! What a loss to them. Go back to the REAs that you have helped in the past and ask them how you can help their business. Now is the time to differentiate and come up with some creative ways to work together as a team. You have to scratch their back before they scratch yours. I agree with the Que Sera, Sera... but isn't there something else you can do? There goes my "never say never" mind again. Our main business right now is with investors. E-me and I will tell you how to find them.
Cindy... You Go Girl! That is exactly what I am talking about. The only person holding us back is ourselves. We need to be open to change and to diversity. Stay ahead of the game and do your job the best that you can do, be the best that you can be. Hugs to you my friend.... you get it!
What a great attitude Lori Kim! It's always easy to get caught up in the "trying to beat our competition" game. It's best for our souls to only be concerned with how we measure up to ourselves. I always admire your staging, your posts here on AR and your advice to all of us - thanks!
Debra... Well thank you. I really am trying to get back on here. I have alotted only 1 hour a day on all my social network groups. I really enjoy helping others when I am able to and I appreciate your compliment ;)