Today we’d like to introduce you to Gemma Hobbs.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started in the home staging business ten years ago as the seller’s market in North Texas was just beginning to heat up. I already had a background in residential real estate and I had been studying design so the two seemed to blend together perfectly. I wasn’t sure where to start but I knew I wanted to be educated so I enrolled in the Academy of Professional Home Staging in Dallas. People knew less about the benefits of home staging then and I found it hard to make a profit after all of my overhead expenses were considered. My mentor at the time advised me to not get into vacant home staging because of the large financial commitment, but I loved transforming empty spaces into “home”. The first three years were a struggle and I almost quit every other month. I finally started to see a profit in year four and we haven’t stopped growing since. We went from a small public storage unit to three units, to one warehouse, to now two warehouses full of furniture, art and accessories.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I first began, my biggest struggle was getting staging jobs. I would bid ten projects and maybe get one which was very discouraging. It took me a year to learn how to give accurate estimates over the phone so that I didn’t waste time driving around the metroplex. The public seemed to be under the impression that great home staging could be done for $500 and that has never been the case (not for vacant homes anyway). My aim now is to educate sellers that staging is more of an investment than an expense. It pays for itself sometimes ten times over when done correctly.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Modern Design Staging & Styling – what should we know?
Modern Design Staging specializes in styling modern aesthetics. We love adding warmth to what can sometimes be a harsh edge in modern or contemporary homes. Many types of homes such as Spanish, transitional, or ranch can blend in modern styling for a clean, calm look. We have also started delving into commercial spaces which was a lot of fun. We know how to add light, pattern, texture and color to create a fresh, fun space that resonated with people.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Integrity. We do what we say we will do when we said we will do it. I have grown this business from word of mouth and happy customers. People count on us and we get the job done.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4840 South Ridge Terrace
- Website: www.moderndesignstaging.com
- Phone: 8178255599
- Email: gemma@moderndesignstaging.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndesignstaging/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agentgem/
Image Credit:
Leif Nelson
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