Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Fedosky.
Amy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always been interested in decorating and had dreamed of having an interior decorating company one day. I went to college and got my degree in Elementary Education because it was “safe” and there would always be jobs there. I married my husband right out of college, and life started. I taught until our first child was born, then became primarily a stay home mom for the next 15 years. I had a job in pharmaceutical sales for several years, but never really gave up on having my own business, doing something I loved. When my youngest child was in elementary school, I took a week-long class in home staging and redesign and came home ready to jump in. My new company was born as New Again Home Interiors, with a focus on redesign (using what the homeowner already has in new ways to improve the design aesthetic of the home). I was also doing some home staging during this time and found that my real love was in staging. I joined the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), Dallas Chapter, and became active in growing the membership of the group, serving as Vice President of Membership from 2014-2016, and President in 2017. In 2016, after attending the (RESA national convention, I came back with new business goals, and New Again Home Interiors became Staging Dallas, with a focus on staging homes to sell. We began with a small inventory of furniture, and have expanded exponentially, never looking back.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Since starting my company in 2012, I have had several challenges. The biggest struggle I faced, was simply getting agents to trust me to stage their listings. I started with a few agents in two large offices and was fortunate that those agents were top producers, and very influential in their respective offices. They have referred and recommended me to other agents, and my business has continued to grow. There are times of the year when business slows down considerably, and I start to question what I am doing, but I take the time to edit my inventory, step up my marketing, get the paperwork in order, and prepare for the busy season.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Staging Dallas story. Tell us more about the business.
Staging Dallas works with real estate agents and homeowners all over the Dallas area to prepare listings for sale. We work with occupied homes, doing consultations, and helping homeowners edit their belongings and arrange furniture to highlight the unique features in each home, so it shows well online and in person. We also work with vacant homes, bringing in a full inventory of furniture, rugs, artwork, lighting, and accessories to showcase the property. In 2019, the properties we have staged averaged 20 days on market, selling for 98% of asking price for vacant homes, and 19 days on market, selling for 99% of asking price for occupied homes. Staging Dallas has been awarded Best of Houzz winner on Houzz.com for each of the last seven years. I love what I do and look forward to continued growth in both buyer and seller markets. The agents I work with know that I will treat their clients with kindness and compassion. Oftentimes, homeowners are very anxious about having a home stager come to their house. They think they will be judged by the way they live, and begin their appointment with apologies about their mess, their decorating style, etc. I have found that I am very good at putting homeowners at east, explaining the process and purpose of my visit. For most homeowners, once they get over their initial anxiety, they enjoy the process and are amazed at the transformation.
It is important for me to be more than a business in the community but to be a part of the community. To that end, we have assisted in relocating and furnishing a home for a hurricane Harvey evacuee who moved to the area after losing all her belongings in the floods, donating home decor items to local charities for fundraising auctions, and more recently, we donated furniture to assist families whose homes were destroyed in the Dallas tornado of October 2019. I believe that giving back to the community that has supported my business is the best way to show my appreciation for the successes I have had here.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have been fortunate to work with some top producing agents who don’t mind recommending me to their colleagues. One of the first staging jobs I had was with an Ebby Halliday agent, who had met me at several local MLS meetings, and decided to give me a chance. We have staged every one of her occupied listings since then. Much of my business growth has been more due to learning than luck. I have hired people to assist me with social media marketing, print marketing, and packing and moving. The people I hired have made Staging Dallas stronger and more visible.
Contact Info:
- Website: StagingDallas.com
- Phone: 2145386397
- Email: amy@stagingdallas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stagingdallas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StagingDallas
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/stagingdallas/staging-dallas
Image Credit:
Headshot: Marcie Florance, Staging photos: Lance Selgo, Unique Exposure Photography
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