Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Tesoro.
Hi Michelle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I started a little later in life by searching for an outlet for my love of interior decorating. I came across a want ad for beginning stages. I called and set up an interview and found my outlet. I was certified with hands-on training as a PSE, Professional Staging Expert. There are a few ways to stage a home for sale. Vacant- where you bring furniture and accessories into the home to show the homes potential. Occupied staging- where the current home seller lives in the home while it is being sold and you edit and rearrange their current belongings. Consultations- where you walk with the seller and discuss what they can do to stage the home themselves. I quickly fell in love with the occupied staging, which most stagers do not like, and was hooked. While staging some of those homes, the sellers would love what was done so much that I was asked to come to their new home and put a room together for them. Staging is different from personal decorating. One is removing personal style and one is elevating personal style for everyday living. And that is when I knew I had found my niche. Life has a way of changing your plans and that is what happened for a few years. Now I am ready to get back in the saddle and see my own business dreams come true doing what brings me and my clients so much joy.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would say my biggest challenge/obstacle would be myself. People around me have always believed in me, what I can do, and my business strategies, but my internal dialogue has definitely been my biggest nemesis. I love that I am getting a chance to work through this personally and professionally now! What is going on in your personal life can and will translate into your business life. It’s not always easy, for me anyway, to believe in myself as much as others do but I refuse to miss the opportunity to bring my God-given passions and talents to life through Michelle Tesoro Interiors LLC. As I am starting to market my business, there is the challenge, like we all face as small business owners, is getting your business known in the right circles and staying laser-focused. We all know this struggle.
I would highly recommend getting a few wise people around you that will push and encourage you to get out of your own head and comfort zone. I went to the Small Business Development Center of Dallas after watching a series called “Undercover Millionaire”. I would not be where I am today had I not had the expertise of advisors there. They believed in me when I didn’t. They pushed me to do the foundational work for small business success that I would have never done on my own. We laughed through it all and I may have even shed a tear or two when I accomplished homework, I didn’t know I was capable of. There are no struggles we have to face alone when there is community with like-minded people and God.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have 4 packages that I like to keep simple. Two staging – 1-consultations and 2-occupied staging
Two interior decorating – 1-decorating for the homeowner or renter and 2-a unique gift for realtors for their clients
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I have learned to get out of my own head and allow other people who have been where I am now to mentor me. I have learned that it is okay to say no to some things in order to work on my future more efficiently and without distractions. Balance is key! I have learned to not waste the wait. To be prepared for the opportunities coming. To practice the presentations over and over to an audience of none or a friend. Asking for feedback. Receiving the feedback as a way to improve. I have learned that I need a steady dose of positive encouragement from several platforms. I enjoy listening to Les Brown, Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, Marie Forleo, Mel Robbins, and many, many more for that push to keep it real and keep it moving along. Last but not least, I am learning to forgive myself for not doing everything perfectly and getting everything done in the timeline I set for myself. I am still learning to not allow procrastination and self judgment to dominate me because I don’t think I can do all things perfectly. I asked God for it, now I am preparing for it!
Pricing:
- $150 / 1-1.5 hours for Staging Consultations
- $125 per hour / 2 hours minimum for Occupied Staging
- $125 per hour / 4 hours minimum for Interior Redesign
- $400 for 4 hours Redesign Gift for clients – Realtors ONLY
Contact Info:
- Email: mtesorointeriors@gmail.com
- Website: www.mtesorointeriors.com
