Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcia Smart.
Marcia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was in the Event Production industry for many years. When I burned out, I decided to turn my hobby into my career. I heard about a new twist on conventional design called interior “Redesign”. The focus was on using the client’s existing furnishings to create a new look and better function for their home, honoring the selections the homeowner made. I took a training program, and started a business, and ultimately became a pioneer in a new industry. I became an Executive Director of an international redesign organization. As an instructor of Interior Redesign, I traveled the country training others in the concept and am considered a pioneer in what is now known as the “Home Staging” Industry. Over the years of my career, I’ve been featured in magazines, radio, quoted in numerous periodicals and appeared on HGTV.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s always a struggle (and a gamble) to start a new business. Especially in a little-known industry service. But I had faith in my ability and passion about the service and had no doubts I would succeed. I learned that for the life of a business, the main challenge seems to be focused on marketing. With a start-up budget, I had to get creative with my advertising dollars. As my business grew, so did my ability to diversify my strategies.
With the onset of social media, the marketing options have a much larger scope…and time challenge. The struggle for any business is to keep up with them and to look to the future as those options change.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Smart Interior Styling story. Tell us more about the business.
I am most proud of the fact that I was instrumental in founding a new industry in the Interior Design community, The ability to share my knowledge and train people around the country to take the first step in following their dream of becoming a small business owner, is extremely gratifying.
While I do offer design consulting as part of my services, I have my heart in honoring the client’s selections and focus on building from their existing items and working from there. I’m known for working with my clients to bring their vision to life, and not imposing mine on theirs…while always keeping their budget in mind.
In the preparing a home for sale, my specialty is the same…. using the client’s furnishings to create model home appeal.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The biggest shift in the Interior Redesign industry has been towards Home Staging. It’s taken flight and has become a phenomenon as a new/alternate design service. While it is still not “the norm” throughout the country, I believe one day it will be synonymous with marketing and selling a home. It’s been statistically proven that preparing a home before putting it on the MLS and revealing it to the public is critical. It’s a solid wave for the future of home sales.
My hope is that both homeowners and agents will realize that Home Staging is not exclusive to only vacant properties. My years of experience staging homes using the client’s furnishings have proven to me that with the proper training and design techniques, almost any home can be redesigned to appeal to home buyers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SmartRedesign.com
- Phone: 805-241-7997
- Email: [email protected]
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
