Business Therapy™ With Joké

Seasonal challenges in home staging and how to plan for them
Introduction

• Overview of the challenges home stagers face with the seasonal slowdown.
• Real estate activity decreases after September as families focus on school routines and holiday preparations.
• Home staging and real estate businesses often experience feast-or-famine cycles.

The Seasonal Struggle

• Expenses continue despite the slowdown, including high warehouse costs.
• Seasonal cycle stress and financial challenges without proactive planning.

Five Key Strategies for Managing Seasonal Flow

1. Diversify Your Services
   • Avoid relying solely on staging; explore complementary services.
   • Clients are often interested in additional services after staging.
   • Convert existing relationships into new projects such as design consultations, room organization, and redesigns.
2. Leverage the Highs and Prepare for the Lows
   • Understand the real estate market's cycles to plan finances accordingly.
   • Build financial buffers by paying a little extra each month toward expenses like rent.
   • Consider prepaying insurance, utilities, and taxes to reduce stress during slow periods.
3. Set Up a Line of Credit for Security
   • Establish a line of credit when business is strong, providing a financial cushion.
   • A line of credit offers flexibility, with interest only on the funds you use.
   • Applying when you’re financially strong helps secure favorable terms.
4. Promote Seasonal Services Early and Consistently
   • Start holiday service promotions by September to maintain visibility.
   • Collaboration with other local businesses can expand reach and resources.
   • Year-round promotion of services familiarizes clients with your offerings.
5. Invest in Education and Build Your Network
   • Use slower seasons to sharpen skills or engage a coach.
   • Strengthen client relationships by attending and hosting events.
   • Connect with real estate professionals and clients at seasonal events to build future business.

Additional Tips for a Financially Strong and Mentally Prepared Business

• Focus on learning, research, and networking during quiet times.
• Stay proactive in preparing for cyclical slowdowns with a mix of strategic actions.
• Aim for a balanced approach to ensure smooth operations through all market conditions.

Conclusion

• The real estate market is inherently cyclical, but with the right strategies, your staging business can thrive year-round.
• Diversifying services, planning finances, and proactive promotions all contribute to a stress-free holiday season.
• Download the customizable expense reserve spreadsheet in the show notes to create a tailored financial buffer for your business.

Closing Note

• Success in staging requires preparation, adaptability, and effort. By following these strategies, you can enjoy the holidays with peace of mind.

Download the editable spreadsheet: planning for the slow season

 What They Don’t Tell You About Starting a Business: 6 Powerful Lessons from My Home Staging Journey 

In this special episode, I’m celebrating the 6th anniversary of my home staging business by sharing six powerful lessons that have shaped my entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're just starting out, thinking about launching your own business, or are already a seasoned pro, these insights will help you fast-track your growth, avoid common mistakes, and set your business up for long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

1. Don’t Be a Superhero – Delegate to Grow
   When you're starting as a solopreneur, it's easy to take on every role. But doing it all will only hold you back in the long run. Learn the importance of documenting your processes and delegating tasks to free up your time and focus on scaling your business.
2. Growth is Uncomfortable, and Failure is Inevitable
   Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone, and failure is part of the journey. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity that will ultimately lead to bigger rewards. Each time you step out of your comfort zone, you’re preparing yourself and your business for the next big win.
3. Growth Doesn’t Always Mean Expansion
   Bigger doesn’t always mean better. I’ve learned to embrace linear growth by refining processes, diversifying income streams
4. Always Keep Your Pipelines Full
   Relying on one major client is risky. Always be marketing and attracting new business. Even when things are going well, keep building relationships and generating new leads
5. Business is Business – It’s Not Personal
   Don’t waste energy on things that don’t affect the bottom line. Focus on what matters, Concentrate on growing your business, and don’t sweat the small stuff that distracts you from your goals.
6. Don’t Compare Your Beginning to Someone Else’s Middle
   It’s easy to get distracted by what others in your industry are doing. Every business is unique, and your path to success should be based on your vision, resources, and personal goals.

Episode Highlights:

• Discover why documenting your processes is key to hiring and delegation.
• Learn how to embrace failure and use it as a catalyst for growth.
• My journey from expansion to scaling back for smarter growth.
• Understand the importance of constant marketing and maintaining a steady pipeline
• Gain insight into why it’s critical to focus on your business journey and not get caught up in what others are doing.

Thank you for tuning in to this special episode celebrating 6 years of learning, growing, and thriving in the home staging industry! These lessons have helped me shape my business, and I hope they inspire you on your journey. Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights into building and scaling a successful home staging business!

This episode is packed with actionable strategies and real-life lessons from my experience as a home staging business owner. Want more content like this? Head over to Business of Home Staging for additional resources, courses, and coaching designed to help you succeed in your home staging journey.

Starting Your Home Staging Business – Overcoming Fear, Building Confidence, and Setting Up for Success

Welcome to the Business of Home Staging Podcast! In Episode 1, host Joké Durojaiye, a real estate expert and founder of Genesis Home Staging in Seattle, shares her journey from real estate to running a thriving home staging business. She opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt, emphasizing the importance of launching your business even when things aren’t perfect.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Starting Your Home Staging Journey: How Joké’s experience as a real estate agent and Redfin team leader inspired her move into home staging.
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• Essential Tips for Aspiring Home Stagers: Do you need a real estate license or a design degree? Joké breaks down the qualifications and training that can set you apart without requiring a large initial investment.
• Home Staging Business Models: Discover options like Occupied Staging, Vacant Staging, and Seasonal Decorating, each with unique benefits and investment needs.
• Building a Portfolio to Showcase Your Work: Learn how to make a portfolio through personal projects and volunteer opportunities.
• Setting Up for Success: Affordable website platforms like Wix, WordPress, and Squarespace to get you started, along with tips on leveraging social media and industry associations like RESA for networking and growth.
• Home Staging Inventory and Logistics Management: Practical advice on managing inventory and creating a structured business that supports growth without burnout.

Joké’s candid insights make this episode essential for anyone wanting to start or scale their home staging business. Whether you’re an aspiring stager, a seasoned pro, or simply interested in real estate and design, this episode provides actionable tips to launch your journey with confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• Overcome fear and imposter syndrome by focusing on your mission and message.
• You don’t need perfection to start—take the first step.
• Explore various home staging models to find the right fit for your goals and resources.
• Start small, build a portfolio, and showcase your work with an optimized website and social media presence.

Listen now for pro tips and insights on the essentials of starting your home staging business and discover how to set yourself up for lasting success in the staging industry.

How to start a home staging business

Business of Home Staging is the podcast for aspiring home stagers and entrepreneurs in any field looking to grow and scale their businesses. Hosted by Joké Durojaiye, a Small Business Consultant, Business Coach, and Mentor with extensive experience as a Real Estate Broker. Joké is an award-winning home staging expert, a Director on the National Board of the Real Estate Staging Association, a Licensed Real Estate Instructor, and a three-time nominee for the Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging.

Whether you're in the industry or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes of a home staging business, this podcast delivers practical, field-tested lessons from a fully functioning small business. It offers proven methods to build a thriving business in any industry. This podcast's business insights, personal stories, mindset and strategies apply to most small businesses.

Each episode is packed with no-nonsense, actionable tips on attracting clients, streamlining your staging processes, and boosting profitability. Whether you're dreaming about starting your own home staging business, preparing to launch, or are a seasoned pro ready to scale, you'll find proven strategies and inspiring, candid conversations designed to fast-track your success.

This is not a get-rich-quick business. If you are ready to roll up your sleeves and get things done, tune in to turn your creativity into a profitable reality!

Business of Home Staging LLC does not guarantee any specific results and is not responsible for any losses incurred from the use of the information provided in this podcast. The content shared is based on the author's experiences and personal insights. Neither the company nor the author offers financial, tax, legal, or professional advice. Listeners are advised to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a qualified accountant, financial advisor, attorney and other professional.