Business Therapy™ With Joké

Keywords
resilience, entrepreneurship, motherhood, skills, adaptability, personal growth, career transition, stay-at-home mom, leadership, empowerment

Summary
In this conversation, Joké Durojaiye shares her personal journey of resilience and adaptability as she transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to an entrepreneur. She emphasizes the valuable skills that motherhood imparts, which are transferable to the workplace and entrepreneurship. Through her experiences, she encourages other mothers to recognize their strengths and embrace their journeys as they pursue new opportunities.

Takeaways
Motherhood equips you with invaluable leadership skills.

• Every experience as a mom prepares you for entrepreneurship.
• Managing a household is akin to project management.
• Budgeting skills learned at home are crucial in business.
• Conflict resolution is a key skill developed in parenting.
• Moms are resourceful problem solvers in any situation.
• Time management is mastered through juggling family responsibilities.
• Event planning skills from motherhood translate to business events.
• Embrace your past experiences as your superpower.
• You are capable of achieving your dreams, no matter your background.

Chapters
00:00
Journey of Resilience and Adaptability

06:55
From Stay-at-Home Mom to Entrepreneur

14:01
Skills Moms Bring to the Workplace

21:02
Embracing Your Journey and Superpowers

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Rebecca Hay, a Toronto-based interior designer, business coach, and host of the Resilient by Design podcast. We discuss how she transitioned from working with budget clients to running a multi-million-dollar design firm, the challenges of hiring and team-building, and why systems and processes are the key to success in business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Rebecca broke free from the budget client loop and started attracting high-paying clients.
• The biggest lessons from her "lemon project" and how it transformed her business.
• Why hiring based on character over credentials is key to building a strong team.
• How to implement time-blocking and delegation to work fewer hours while making more money.
• The power of processes in scaling a design business without burnout.
• Why getting featured in major publications (Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Better Homes & Gardens) is great for credibility but doesn’t necessarily bring clients.
• The reality of running a successful podcast and why it’s worth the effort.

Bonus: Rebecca is hosting a two-week Bootcamp for interior designers starting February 19th to help designers attract higher-paying clients. If you’re ready to elevate your business, sign up at rebeccahay.com/bootcamp.

Keywords:
Interior design business, attracting high-end clients, business processes, scaling a design firm, hiring for culture fit, time-blocking, work-life balance, interior designer success, pricing strategies, marketing for designers, client experience, home staging business, productivity for creatives, passive income, delegation in business, mindset shifts, resilient by design.

Connect with Rebecca

• Website: rebeccahay.com
• Instagram: @rebeccahaydesigns
• Sign up For: Designer's Bootcamp Starting February 19, 2025
• Podcast: Resilient by Design (Episode 199 featuring yours truly as a guest!)

Tune in and let’s talk about building a business that works for YOU, not the other way around!

In this engaging conversation, Joké Durojaiye interviews Kishah Langham, a prominent figure in the home staging and design industry. Kishah shares her journey from being the first African-American woman to own a bed and breakfast in Wisconsin to founding Texas Stages. The discussion covers her transition into home staging, the challenges she faced as a woman of color in the industry, and the importance of mentorship and networking. Kishah emphasizes the need for diversity in design and shares her philosophy on creating spaces that promote well-being. The conversation concludes with practical advice for aspiring stagers and the significance of building relationships in the real estate market.

00:00 Introduction to Kishah Langham

10:02 Transitioning from Bed and Breakfast to Home Staging

19:59 Challenges and Mentorship in the Staging Industry

30:00 Networking and Marketing Strategies for Success

40:00 Diversity and Cultural Awareness in Staging

48:45 Design Philosophy and Well-Being in Spaces

For more resources and tips on home staging and growing your business, visit our website https://www.businessofhomestaging.com/thepodcast

Let’s continue transforming spaces into dream homes together!

In this episode, I reflect on the past year, expressing gratitude for the support received and sharing significant milestones achieved. I discusse the importance of embracing change, the power of mindset, and the courage to overcome fear and judgment. Also, I emphasize the value of solitude for deep reflection and strategic thinking, and I encourage you to set intentions for the new year focused on experiences rather than more goals. The episode concludes with a call to take small, sustainable steps towards personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on the Past Year

03:09 Embracing Change and New Beginnings

07:36 The Power of Mindset and Strategy

12:01 Overcoming Fear and Judgment

18:19 The Importance of Solitude and Reflection

20:14 Setting Intentions for the New Year

24:33 Small Steps Towards Big Changes

Recommended Reading
Atomic Habits By James Clear
The Gift Of Imperfection By Brené Brown

Our podcast has a new name: The Creative Business Mindset! This change comes straight from your feedback, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the direction we’re heading.

While home staging has been a big part of our journey, I wanted to broaden the scope to include a variety of entrepreneurial topics. Don’t worry—the heart of the podcast isn’t changing. You can still expect practical advice and inspiring stories, but now we’ll be bringing on a wider range of guests and diving into different industries. My goal is to provide even more actionable insights to help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Let’s grow together!

Home Staging Business Tips And Real Estate Marketing

Guest: Lew Corcoran
Host: Joké Durojaiye

In this conversation, I sit down with Lew Corcoran, a multifaceted home staging expert with a background in real estate and photography. Lew shares his journey from real estate to home staging and photography, emphasizing the importance of technology such as drones and virtual tours in enhancing property listings. He discusses the significance of floor plans in staging and how they aid in visualizing space. 

The conversation also covers key elements for effective staging and photography, common mistakes in real estate photography, and the importance of lighting and leading lines in creating appealing visuals. In this conversation, we also discuss the evolution of the real estate market, emphasizing the importance of understanding market dynamics and buyer expectations. I highlight the critical role of home staging in selling properties, especially in shifting markets. 

The discussion also delves into the impact of AI on the staging process, the balance between virtual and physical staging, and the necessity of creativity in transforming spaces. For more resources and tips on home staging and growing your business, visit our website https://www.businessofhomestaging.com/thepodcast

Let’s continue transforming spaces into dream homes together!

In this engaging conversation, Joké Durojaiye and Marianne Cherico explore the world of home staging, discussing Marianne's extensive background in real estate and staging, the importance of mindset in overcoming barriers, and strategies for building relationships with real estate agents. They emphasize the significance of visibility, networking, and the mindset required for success in the home staging business. In this conversation, Joké Durojaiye discusses the challenges faced by real estate agents, the importance of building sustainable business models, and the need to understand profitability and pricing in the home staging industry. She emphasizes the significance of collaboration over competition and shares effective marketing strategies for connecting with real estate agents. The conversation concludes with insights into future goals and trends in home staging, particularly the resurgence of color in design.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:00 Journey into Home Staging

12:12 Mindset and Overcoming Barriers

20:06 Building Relationships with Real Estate Agents

28:29 Challenges Faced by Real Estate Agents

33:13 Building Sustainable Business Models

39:31 Understanding Profitability and Pricing

42:22 Competition vs. Collaboration

47:56 Effective Marketing Strategies for Agents

52:00 Future Goals and Trends in Home Staging

Host: Joké Durojaiye
Guest: Ellen Mann, President of Chrysalis Creative Home Staging

In this episode I am joined by the insightful Ellen Mann, President of Chrysalis Creative Home Staging, to dive into the nuances of building a successful home staging business. We kick things off with a discussion on the importance of selling oneself in the world of real estate, emphasizing the necessity of speaking the "business language" to attract potential clients. Ellen also shares her journey of transitioning from change management to home staging, offering invaluable tips on starting and sustaining a boutique business, including strategic inventory management and the role of creativity in avoiding a cookie-cutter look.

The conversation gets richer as Ellen speaks about her leadership role in RESA, her efficient staging techniques, and her experiences in the industry, from developing handy toolkits to creatively uniting diverse home elements for a profitable sale. We share personal stories and practical advice, underscoring the significance of business acumen, project management, and adaptability in the home staging field. This episode is a treasure trove for aspiring stagers and seasoned professionals alike.

Tune in for a wealth of knowledge, from mentorship and networking insights to Ellen's candid recounting of her career journey and strategies for daily progress. 

Collaboration Over Competition 
Real Estate And Home Staging with Chan Davies

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my good friend and creative partner, Chan Davis, who is a licensed real estate agent and the CEO of Stellar Interiors. We talk about how choosing collaboration over competition has helped us grow in the home staging business. From starting out as warehouse neighbors to becoming close business partners, we share how working together and blending our unique styles has made both of us better at what we do.

This episode is full of personal stories, like borrowing gold stools and how teaming up has opened new opportunities for us, both in business and in life. Even though our design styles are different, we’ve found success and creative fulfillment by supporting each other. Chan also shares her inspiring journey from real estate agent to home stager, along with tips on knowing your worth and embracing collaboration in your work.

No matter what field you’re in, this episode offers valuable lessons on building a supportive community. Tune in for this heartfelt conversation, and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review. Get ready to see how collaboration can transform your business!

Contact info:
 
Website: https://www.businessofhomestaging.com/thepodcast
Download the editable spreadsheet: planning for the slow season

 How to Start and Scale Your Home Staging Business

Host: Joké Durojaiye
Guest: Tanya Nazaria, Founder of Brilliant Staging and Home Design

Episode Highlights:
Introduction to Tanya’s Journey

1. • Tanya shares her unexpected path from law enforcement to home staging, starting Brilliant Staging in Seattle, and recently selling it after eight years.
   • Background in business, marketing, and accounting set Tanya up for success, helping her transition into a new industry.
2. The Unexpected Start in Staging
   • Tanya’s passion for design was discovered as she staged her own home for sale, receiving overwhelming positive feedback.
   • After quitting her job and researching home staging, she decided to start the business, focusing on growing her skills and learning along the way.
3. Key Advice for Aspiring Stagers
   • Understand your “why” before starting a staging business. Decide if you want to focus on design or on running and growing a business.
   • Emphasizes that staging can be a creative career without owning a business by working for established staging companies.
4. Importance of an Exit Strategy
   • From the start, Tanya planned to build a sellable business, structuring processes and systems to support an eventual handover.
   • Highlights the difference between running a business and creating a job for oneself, emphasizing the value of becoming an absentee owner.
5. Building Operational Systems
   • Documenting processes, creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), and planning for scalability.
   • Intellectual property, branding, and team building as foundational aspects that support smooth operations and eventual sale potential.
6. Challenges in Selling a Business
   • Professional appraisal helped Tanya understand the market value of her business, balancing emotional attachment with realistic numbers.
   • Insight into how assets, inventory, and intellectual property are valued differently by buyers and brokers.
7. Navigating Emotional and Practical Hurdles
   • Tanya explains the importance of detaching emotionally and focusing on profitability to attract buyers.
   • Leveraging intellectual property, unique branding, and explaining these aspects directly to potential buyers to convey business value beyond the numbers.
8. Building a Reliable Team
   • Discusses the significance of hiring team members who share the business vision and contribute positively, sharing insights on making difficult personnel decisions when necessary.
   • Tips for finding employees who bring fresh ideas and support growth, reinforcing that staging businesses cannot thrive alone.
9. Fun Closing – To Chop or Not to Chop?
   • Tanya and Joké share a fun, light-hearted debate on the popular design question: “To chop or not to chop pillows?” Both agree – they’re on Team Chop!
10. How to Connect with Tanya
    • Tanya now offers business consulting services to help other home stagers plan and execute an exit strategy for their businesses.
    • Find Tanya’s services at NazariaDC.com.

Key Takeaways:

• Approach your staging business with an end in mind; have a clear exit strategy, whether it’s selling, handing down, or retirement.
• Building a sustainable business requires well-documented processes, a reliable team, and strategic growth.
• When selling, focus on bottom-line profitability and market valuation while also emphasizing the unique brand and systems you’ve created.

Quotes from the Episode:

• “Know your ‘why’ before starting a business – are you in it to stage or to build a business?”
• “Hiring the right people is crucial; one good team member can elevate the business, while one wrong hire can bring it down.”

Connect with Us:

• Follow Joké and the Business of Home Staging Podcast for more insights and inspiration.