Random Bits of Information

Some of my animal rescue friends may remember that within days of my agreeing with my daughter that she could have a little kitten, I looked out the window & saw a feral cat with 5 baby kittens. 

It's been a VERY long experience, with interference help from the neighbor.  We now have success, however.  Two of the Siamese, if you please, are with me.  Dutchess and Thomas (that's Miley, the new kitten I agreed to, with her arm around the new baby).

The 3 Siamese were inside longest and were the most tame, as you can see above with Rhiannon.  My sister took Spirit home, who is the strangest cat... he loves water, has supreme patience with the baby, and is just a delight.

El Diablo (named this because the girls - Rhiannon & her bff - were afraid of her, is now Kiwi).  Her owner had her sleeping curled around her neck in bed with her within 2 days.

Mystery, named Mystery because she loved to have me visit and talk to her, but would not let me near her, is now Beatrice.  Her new owner gave me Peach Cobbler as a big thank you.  Mama Cat (Lady Jane) looks like Mystery/Beatrice.

And finally, the Mommy, Lady Jane, was spayed last week.  I kept her in the garage for a week and she hid from me the entire time.  I only knew she was okay because she ate and drank (and used the litter box, THANK YOU) when I was not looking.  I let her out yesterday, and I saw her today, she's finally talking to me again.  Sweet thing will be my forever outdoor cat. (My mother wants her, and as soon as I have her tame we may transfer her over to that house).

The best part... No more kittens from Lady Jane or any of these 5 babies.  PLEASE spay and neuter your pets!  Thomas (Tommy) is being neutered next week, and Dutchess will be spayed soon after (she's so tiny!). 

Hello Active Rain Friends!

Those of us in the It's Raining Dogs group know Gayle as a poodle lover and poodle rescue volunteer.  She does a great job sharing photos of her poodles, and updating us on poodle shows, rescue, etc.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Gayle to create her Real Estate website.  It was a lot of fun (I love making websites) and we think it turned out well.  Of course, there is little info about poodles.  : )

Gayle also has some gorgeous lakefront land listings you might want to check out.  If you have a referral in Tennessee, Gayle is a great choice.

AND if you need help with design, redesign or creation of your website, I'd love to help!  StagersLIST.com is offering website templates and original creations to fit every budget.  We also offer affordable hosting, with a 30% Active Rain Member discount. 

Couple more I just finished:

Staging by Design

Walnut Creek Team

and of course:
The Best Spot Realty

Thanks for letting me talk about work! 

Chris@StagersLIST.com

"Remember, your business is just that...YOUR business and you must make your own decisions about what is going to help your business grow and be successful.  Only if you are getting a paycheck from a company, are you working for them, and only then do they have the right to tell you what you can and can not do. "

Wise words from our friend Gail Alexander, and great advice.

Not only am I on the bus & on the road with StagersLIST this year, I'll actually be out in the real world and not hiding behind my computer.  Okay, I'm pretty sure I'll bring my laptop with me, but I will be conducting a workshop at the 2009 Expo series... I will be talking to people and not just hiding behind the monitor.  That's rare, ask my friends.  I can talk, and do, I just don't often do it in person. 

We have some great workshops coming up, and in Orlando (Expo 3/17/09, workshop series 3/18/09), here is what we're offering:

Home Stagers' Marketing Edge Today is All About Web Presence
Chris Fisher, Website Designer and Manager, Blogging Expert (that's me in the picture, without Rhiannon).

Do you have a website? Do you know it doesn't have to be expensive to be effective? If you have a website, is it active, engaging, and bringing you business? Do you know what kind of site you should be using? Do you know that blogging is bringing stagers across the country business? If you answered no to any of these questions, this workshop is for you!

Learn how to drive business to your door without spending a fortune doing it.

Why Green Marketing Techniques
Kelly McFrederick, Live Green Live Smart Certified Trainer

Your clients are looking for GREEN businesses and services. Did you know a consumer survey says:

• 92% said "green" features are important when buying property
• 74% buy environmentally friendly products
• 60% will pay more for "green" items
• 55% make an effort to patronize retailers with a green reputation

Gain green information that will add a competitive edge to your business and help you improve the environment too!

Marketing for Explosive and Consistent Sales
Melissa Marro, Founder, First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign and President, SC Chapter, Interior Redesign Industry Specialists

In this course you will learn how to effectively market your staging business with a minimal or non-existent budget for both consistent and explosive sales without cold calling or placing expensive media print ads. We will cover e-newsletters, agent "lunch & learns", neighborhood and agent farming techniques and more. By mastering these topics you will be able to break free of the ebb and flow of the sales world and launch into increased, sustained sales and bookings.

Understanding Client Behavior & Effective Communication to Overcome Objections
Christine Rae, Staging Trainer and author

Are you aware that people learn and take in information differently based on communication styles? Your presentation can be tailored to the way your clients communicate and your success rate will soar.

Learn how to work with the client based on their communication style. Learn sales tools, techniques and presentations into consultations, consultations into jobs, and rev up your business.

Feng Shui for Staging. Where Chi Flows... Good Fortune Follows
Tabitha Miller, MA, Certified Feng Shui Consultant

There are differences between Feng Shui and Staging. Tabitha teaches what they are and how to blend them to create the "story" that impacts the buyers and how they intend to live in a home.

Feng Shui is good for balancing Chi (Energy) to foster creative flow of prosperity and peace in all areas of your life and dwellings.

Your Portfolio - Creating Imagery
Melissa Marro, Founder, First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign and President, SC Chapter, Interior Redesign Industry Specialists (I know, Melissa's picture is here twice, but it's a cute picture.)

Create stunning portfolios for increased business. Learn the basics of portfolio photography and utilize a myriad of styles of photography to your sales advantage. Melissa teaches you how to integrate all facets of your business into a dynamic professional presentation that will increase your confidence, image and income.

 
Triple Your Revenues Through Window Coverings
Ashley Whittenberger, Entrepreneur and Industry Expert

If you're not selling window treatments, you may want to reconsider. During this workshop, Ashley, Certified Window Treatment Consultant and Real Estate Staging Expert, will show you how you can increase your revenues, expand your business and increase your bottom line by offering custom window coverings. She will help students learn how to navigate their way through the confusing and overwhelming world of custom window treatments and she'll explain how to perfectly and smoothly marry your staging and redesign services with custom window covering sales.

This year we are focusing on having a successful business even in a down economy.  We are only bringing you speakers and workshop hosts who are making money even in the down market.  Learn how you can boost your business and do the same. Home Stagers, Realtors, and any small business owners can benefit from this expo.  Check it out if you can!  The calendar is here if you are not able to make it to Orlando next month.  Rumor has it we'll be invading Universal Studios on the 16th with a bunch of Active Rain buddies. (Email me if you want to join in!)