Kristin and Vanessa of Bluebird Design Company join me today to talk about everything they have experienced about building their business, both from a personal and professional perspective. They share their journey from friendship to successful business partnership, and how they have transformed almost overwhelming business challenges into sustainable success.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a business from scratch with a best friend, how they have founded theirs on 13 years of friendship provides insights into lessons, what challenges may arise, and how best you can stay true to your vision – each other included.

Whether you're considering a business partnership, struggling with work-life boundaries, or simply looking to implement simple systems in your staging business, this conversation offers practical wisdom from two entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated every phase of it.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Tips for successfully navigating business partnerships with open communication
• How saying “yes” to everything might break you and how to turn it around
• What “working on your business” looks like when you’re stuck working in it
• Systems and automations that helped roll in their first $1.2million staging job

RESOURCES:  

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome
• Kristen & Vanessa’s website: thebluebirddesignco.com
• Follow Kristen & Vanessa on Instagram: @thebluebirddesignco

If you want to learn how to market and grow your staging business, enrollment is open for Rethink You Accelerate. This is a year-long mentorship program, where I help you and other staging business owners plan, grow, flow, and thrive with the results that you’ve always wanted. The doors are open and I would love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it. Also, include links to your socials so that more Staging CEOs can find you.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

Are you struggling to balance client satisfaction with your own sanity? In this MVP episode, I tackle the misconception that being "easy to work with" means saying yes to everything. 

Instead, I show you how we maintain excellent client relationships while preserving strong boundaries at Rethink Home Interiors. 

Through years of trial and error, I have developed systems that create predictability clients love without the burnout that comes from constant availability.

Today, I am excited to share those with you.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Why being "ridiculously easy to work with" doesn't mean working 24/7
• How to transition from chaos to systems without losing clients
• When it's appropriate to make exceptions (and how to do it properly)
• The neuroscience behind why humans crave predictability in business relationships

RESOURCES:  

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome
• Follow Kate Elise Interiors on Instagram : www.instagram.com/kate.elise.interiors
• Episode 5: How to Create Boundary Alignment for Your Home Staging Business
• Episode 21: How To Get More Done In Your Staging Business
• Episode 26: How To Change Course When Systems Are Not Working In Your Business
• Episode 28: How To Schedule Your Home Staging Consultation Appointments 

If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it. Also, include links to your socials so that more Staging CEOs can find you.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

We both know that you are great at what you do—turning empty spaces into homes that buyers cannot resist. But marketing your staging business? That’s another story. If it feels like you’re constantly shouting into the void, struggling to get noticed by the right real estate agents and homeowners, you’re not alone. Chasing leads is exhausting—and frankly, it’s not sustainable.

What if, instead of hunting for clients, they came to you?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with video marketing expert Kirsten Graham, who has helped real estate professionals and home stagers stand out in an overcrowded market. She’s breaking down how strategic video content can position you as the go-to expert, build trust with potential clients, and create a steady stream of referrals—without making you feel like a full-time content creator.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How to create SEO-rich content that attracts real estate agents and homeowners
• Strategies for overcoming on-camera fears and showcasing your expertise
• The importance of consistent, authentic content in building your brand
• How virtual assistants and AI can streamline your marketing efforts without consuming all your time

RESOURCES:

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome
• Kirsten Graham’s website: www.sixfigurebusinesscoaching.com  
• Download your free Double Your Income guide: www.outsourcingforbosses.com

If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

Most staging business owners have experienced it—the excitement of landing a new project quickly overshadowed by scheduling complexities. What should be straightforward becomes a logistical challenge of coordinating teams, access details, and client expectations.

The reality is that scheduling vacant stagings can be more manageable with the right approach. It's not about eliminating complexity entirely, but creating systems that make it predictable and efficient.

In this episode, I talk about a comprehensive five-step system for transforming your scheduling processes. This framework has helped staging businesses create consistency for their teams while setting clear expectations with clients, ultimately leading to more profitable operations and less administrative stress.

For you my staging CEO tired of constant schedule adjustments, reactionary planning, and the feeling that your calendar controls you rather than the reverse, this episode offers practical solutions.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How to set clear scheduling boundaries that clients actually respect
• Why categorizing jobs by complexity revolutionizes your calendar
• How to create buffer periods that prevent cascading delays
• When (and how) to automate your booking process for maximum efficiency

RESOURCES:

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome

If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

Effective financial planning is essential for any home staging business looking to scale sustainably. Rather than worry about how to afford your inventory or be limited by insufficient funds, strategic financing can be a tool that helps you grow.

I have seen many staging business owners rely on credit cards or cash reserves to purchase furniture, but this approach can only create financial strain.

Today, I speak with Rod; a financing expert with over 30 years of experience, with a strong focus on home staging. Rod provides a deep dive into how staging businesses can leverage financing options to build their inventory, optimize cash flow, and strategically invest in their growth. He explains why staging inventory should be treated as a long-term investment rather than an ongoing expense and outlines how to access funding without negatively impacting your business liquidity.

Is your staging business being held back by inventory costs? This conversation may be what you need for new growth.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• The hidden costs of using cash reserves or credit cards to purchase inventory
• When is the right time in your business to consider financing options
• How staging businesses have grown through strategic financing
• What infrastructure your business needs in place to qualify for financing

RESOURCES:

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome
• Rod's website: www.rrfinancialusa.com/

If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

Ever rolled out a brilliant new system, expecting excitement, only to get resistance, complaints, or worse—silence? Yep, I’ve been there.

You know the change will make things better, but getting your team on board? That’s the hard part. People naturally resist change—not because they’re difficult, but because uncertainty triggers stress and fear of failure. And here’s the kicker: leading change isn’t just about processes or tech—it’s about leadership.

In this episode, I am delving into why employees resist change and, more importantly, how to turn that resistance into buy-in. I’m sharing my own change-gone-wrong story and breaking down the exact steps to introduce, train, and support your team through transitions—without losing your mind.

If you’re struggling with team resistance or about to implement a big shift, this episode is for you. Let’s turn such frustrations into an opportunity for growth, leadership, and (dare I say it?) a more adaptable and resilient business.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Why your team resists change (it’s not just to drive you crazy)
• How to communicate change in a way that gets actual buy-in
• The step-by-step approach to rolling out new systems successfully
• How to create accountability without micromanaging

RESOURCES:

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
•  
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome
• Making of a Manager by Julie Zhou
• Growth Cultures by Mary Murphy

If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

Do you, as a staging business owner, have the necessary skills to lead a team effectively?

More like, “what if the muddy waters of team building you are wading through right now is actually the scaffold of a staging business that really thrives".

No one is born leading a staging business (or any other), so I understand how hard it may sometimes be and why even though we love our businesses, this part may not be our everyday love.

Just like in every other organization where people are brought together and will experience some tension, your staging business is no different. Rather, what differs is the role you play as the leader.

When different personalities and work styles clash, when poor communication leads to a stream of misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and conflict, what do you do?

From mine, other Staging CEOs experiences and recent reads on how to solve such challenges, let’s talk about how to turn your team frustrations into your greatest opportunity for growth. 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• How to identify and address the root causes of your team frustrations
• How to create a growth mindset culture on your team
• How to delegate effectively and empower your team members
• How to build a strong and cohesive team

RESOURCES:

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome
• The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday
• Cultures of Growth by Mary C. Murphy
• Traction by Gino Wickman

If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

"Can I pay at closing?"

If that question and a dozen others like it sound familiar, this episode provides practical solutions for handling “sticky” client requests in your staging business. 

Often, we are tied between maintaining professional boundaries while building strong client relationships. For new stagers especially, these requests often turn into self evaluations and comparison thoughts, arising from not knowing whether our “NO”s are driving our clients into the arms of other stagers who are at their beck and call.

Yet, beyond the instant people - pleasing joy, for stagers like yourself who want to build successful businesses, how we handle such situations are foundational. 

Whether you're wrestling with inventory purchase requests or fighting the urge to price match competitors, I share applicable tips and strategies that can help transform those difficult client conversations into opportunities for business growth.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Real-world scripts for handling tough client negotiations
• How to implement the Fix-It Protocol for policy decisions
• How to convert challenging situations into business opportunities
• Building confidence in your pricing and policies

RESOURCES:

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome

If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

In this Valentine's Day special episode, let's explore a love story of a different kind – the art of nurturing client relationships! More often than not, service-based businesses like ours miss crucial opportunities by failing to maintain meaningful connections with past clients. Yet, these relationships form the bedrock of sustainable business growth and lasting success.

The concept of "loving up" on your clients goes far beyond basic marketing tactics. It's about creating intentional, systematic approaches to staying top-of-mind with both past and potential clients. 

Today, I'm excited to share not just the 'why' but the 'how.' We'll explore the fascinating neuroscience behind staying visible to your audience, break down practical implementation strategies you can start using immediately, and show you how to transform consistent outreach into a steady stream of referrals and repeat business.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• What a Love 'Em Up List is and why it's crucial for your business
• How to create and maintain your list systematically
• Various ways to nurture your professional relationships
• How to turn consistent outreach into business growth

RESOURCES:

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome

If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.

It is a pleasure to bring out from behind the scene, Anna Huff - a dear business mindset coach, for an honest conversation about the internal work that shapes our entrepreneurial journey. From being a Pinterest manager to mindset coach, Anna shares her personal evolution and the crucial lessons she learned about the role of belief in business success.

Going into the challenges that came up with her pivot - much like those you may encounter while building your staging business, she shares powerful insights about viewing "failure" as data and embracing the journey of building your worthiness muscle.

This conversation was a refreshing perspective on what it truly means to serve through staging, and hopefully, it serves as a reminder of how your business impacts families…for good. To overcome all the self sabotages, this episode offers valuable mindset tools to help you show up more confidently in your business.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Why implementing strategies without addressing mindset blocks can hold your business back
• How external validation (or lack thereof) impacts our sense of worth as business owners
• Why your staging work creates ripple effects far beyond just selling homes
• Practical tips for recognizing and reframing limiting beliefs

RESOURCES:

• Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate
• Join the Staging Business School Growth Track Waitlist: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/growth
• Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool
• Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp
• Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome
• Anna Huff's Website

If you want to learn how to market and grow your staging business, enrollment is open for Rethink You Accelerate. This is a year-long mentorship program, where I help you and other staging business owners plan, grow, flow, and thrive with the results that you’ve always wanted. The doors are open and I would love to see you in the classroom!

ENJOY THE SHOW?

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEOs find it.
• Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.