How I Started My Home Staging Business

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.

[JoannaSegoviano]

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! <3

[sonjapeterson]

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
-Sonja

[janb]

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!

[fashionvivation]

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!!!

[kathleenmunoz]

Thank you for this video! I feel super encouraged to start my journey as a home stager

[lucysmom]

thank you for sharing this! I am just about to start my own firm, I am so inspired by you!

[darchellhamilton]

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. ;)

[anamericanentrepreneur]

Great story and thanks for sharing that it’s not all glam.

[SimoneSpotlite]

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!

[MsShannaK]

Thank you for this this is awesome. Happy for y’all.

[fittythree]

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.

[maurosegabinazzi]

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.

[winnieileso]

Love the story. Where did you go to get certified in staging like you stated?

[aestheticsbyclase]

Hi Ali! Thank you so much for sharing your story! Very inspiring! Could you share which courses you took?

[courtneywhitakerdesigns]

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?

[carolbecker]

Thank you for the video, very helpful! Where did you get certified and they reach you about how to price consults and staging?

[Miriamrose]

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. 🤞

[zenrockgardens]

Loved this video. The music is a bit too loud and distracting. Actually, not even needed. I was glued to what you said anyway.

[Wisteria_Lane]

How many rooms do you stage in a home? How much do you charge?

[christineramirez]

Can you please share who you went through to get your home staging cert. please thank you so much