Customer Reviews

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorating, and Home Staging Business: With Companion CD-ROM

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book was the most disappointing of any self help how to book I have ever purchased. I anticipated as advertised, forms to be used in the business. Yes, there are some forms, but not one was anything more than a first grader would have been able to produce in a Word document. What's your name, address, etc. I would have expected detailed information and ideas related to a good contract to protect both yourself and your client when you entered into an agreement to handle work for your client. And for supplies to start up your business, who doesn't know you need a pen or pencil,a pair of scissors, etc. The entire text of the book was at elementary level and the content of forms, etc. was the same.

Great book, not only does it take you step by step on how to start your business it also tells you what to do after. All I wanted to know was how to begin the business, the book goes into how to grow your business and add services. As far as marketing the book touches on ways to fully market yourself. The CD that comes along with the book has examples of business forms , business plans, and many more.

I have been in home staging for a few months and have used other home staging books. I have been in leadership, interior redesign and decorating for years. After reading Mary's book, I learned what I needed on the business end. Being creative, it was easy to read her suggestions. I did not feel like I had to me a Marketing Exec. or an Accountant in order to run a successful business. I feel more equipped by her book than any other resource I have used or investigated.
What was more impressive, I did not feel like I had to "buy into her training" to get good feedback from her. I emailed her with a question and she personally called me back with an answer. Her extra efforts and customer service has won my loyalty and her professionalism in her actions supports the words she shared in her new book. I highly recommend How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Redesign, Redecorating, & Home Staging Business: With Companion Cd-rom. Thanks Mary, I wish you all the success with this excellent read.

Amy Powers, Accent Home Staging

I enjoyed reading this book and I am keeping it among my collection of design and staging books.

The title to this book is key. I don't want my business to just be successful. I want it to be financially successful. Right off the bat the author advises, if you don't have the money to open a business, don't do it. Once it's established that you are not just an HGTV guru and you are able to financially get things off the ground, you'll find the book has excellent tips.
Hiring a redesigner to work on your own house is a great idea. Initially the purpose is to check out the competition. But if the person actually comes in your house to work, you should be upfront and tell her that you are looking to start your own similar business.
One tip I was surprised to see was not to design plans specifically for clients. Instead, this expert suggests going in and educating the client on how they can benefit from working with you.
There were great tips about pricing and when or if you should do services for free. Also advice on actually picking a name was good. Instead of going for an out there unique name, just make sure people can spell it. I thought it was funny when the author suggested to make your calendar look full. You don't want your client to think you have an empty calendar. Your client doesn't have to know the appointment on the 20th with Janet is really with Janet the hairdresser.

I found Mary Larsen's book to be both entertaining and enjoyable, while at the same time, an excellent business reference. The book prepares the reader with realistic, positive and negative aspects of owning your own business. As Mary advises, just because you've opened a business does not guarantee your phone is going to ring. The book is filled with very specific and creative ways to market yourself and your business; along with great networking suggestions. The public relations and marketing strategies suggested in this book are outstanding and could be utilized for other businesses as well. Mary essentailly shares every side of her business with the reader. She includes fun, "trade tips" and "expert examples". The book and appendix is packed with custom forms, checklists and contracts already created and ready to utilize. This book is a must have for anyone already in the field or considering opening their own redesign, redecorating and home staging business.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I already own a professional organizing business and wanted to grow it to include staging, so I picked up Mary's book. It was chock-full of incredibly useful information that I was able to implement immediately! I've got post its stuck all over this book because I keep referring back to it -- it's become my marketing bible! Mary's book helped me grow both my existing business and my staging business, and I recommend it for anyone in their first 5 years of running any services-based business! Thanks Mary!

I read the book in less than two days. It was an easy read and confirms everything that I learned in my staging & redesign class a couple of years ago. I also learned some new ideas that I will implement in my business immediately. I recommend this book to anyone in a decorating business and anyone planning to start one. I will continue to refer to it thoughout my career.

Have known Mary for some time. Read the book and was impressed. She has committed to paper her excellent business skills on the subject of "How to Open and Operate a Successful Small Business." For those interested in starting up a small business, lessons learned are golden.

Mary Larsen has written an extremely useful book on starting a design business. She understands that those in this business already have a designer's eye but may not have business acumen. Though the book does touch on some design topics, its focus is on the business/marketing side of getting started. Her tips are right on the money and are useful to anyone staring a small business of their own. Not only does she tell you what works, but she helps readers understand what does not work! I will recommend this book to all new designers, current designers wishing to grow their business, and all new start-up small business owners. Thank you, Mary, for using your knowledge and skills to help others succeed.