Getting Started

My friend had just gone through a breakup with her boyfriend, she asked me to come for a visit. When I walked into her apartment I knew why I was there, nothing had been moved since the movers delivered her furniture, it was in serious need of HELP. We got busy and started placing furniture where it was meant to be for function and flow, then we hung art, placed the lighting, rugs and accessories, we even shopped for new lamps, bedding and accessories. What a transformation in only one day. My friend could not believe the difference in her home, she came alive, I was so excited and felt wonderful that I was able to make such a difference in her life, it was life changing for her because she had been so depressed over the breakup.

When I returned home, I began getting phone calls from her friends in La Jolla, saying what a huge difference and how beautiful it was and how much better Joanie, my friend felt. They told me I really had to share this gift with others, this is what motivated me to get educated on what I needed to do to start the business. I knew I could make a difference in people's lives by creating a welcoming, warm environment for them to come home to. I have been sharing this service with passion ever since. It is very rewarding for me and my clients. I am very grateful to my friend, Joanie.

As I was reading the local newspaper, I spotted an article of two local ladies in San Jose, who had just started their redesign company, so I proceeded to call them and arrange a meeting. I met Lara PaI for coffee and she shared with me how she got started and where I could get certified, so I made some phone calls and set up appointments and the next thing I knew I was in class learning more about Redesign and Staging. Connie Hammond was my instructor, it was fun learning from her, intense but fun. We learned how to meet with clients, asess the job, do consultaions, write estimates, set up files, get published, it was all so interesting and new to me, I was running on adrenline. We redesigned 3 homes in one week, it was exhausting but fun and fullfiling.

I became a member of IRIS, an organization for Redesigners and Stagers, attending all national and local meetings for continuing education and support. Being connected to other professionals in your field is so important, especially if you are flying solo. That support keeps us going just knowing we are not alone. Networking and making new friends is key to the survival of any business. It has been and continues to be very rewarding for I feel in my heart I have made a difference. Follow your passion, you never know where it will take you.

Don't be afraid to take a risk, jump off the cliff and see where you land, it is fun and enlighting because we meet so many new people and create new experiences and new relationships. Life is created by our choices, every day is a new adventure. My life has been enriched in so many ways, one way is by giving back, being involved in "Rebuilding Together" Silicon Valley has been very rewarding by helping others on limited incomes to improve the conditon of their homes from painting to plumbing to re-roofing, volunteers giving of their time and resources to improve the quality of life for others.