BTSH's 2014 Reflections and 2015 Plans

Once again, BTSH has had a spectacular year, and we certainly could not have done it alone! A heartfelt thank you to all of our clients for making this year a great success, and making us a part of your home selling or home renovation team.

As we continue to grow, we are humbled by all of those that have helped us to make this happen.

To summarize this year’s milestones at BTSH:

January - Marina joined the BTSH team in the office, and has been an integral part of keeping us running from behind the scenes

March - Stephanie Kropf Gibson joined the team as a Professional Home Stager through the BTSH Home Stager training program

March - BTSH welcomed our Staging Assistant Craig to the team

May - BTSH was proud once again to sponsor the KW MS Walk 

August - BTSH announced our exciting merger with local home staging company Home Selling Edge, and with that, welcomed Jennifer Roth, CCSP to the BTSH team.

November - Shauna Lynn and Jennifer were invited as guest speakers to Sheridan College

December - RESA award nominations were announced, and BTSH was honoured with three distinguishing finalist awards:

Top 10 Home Staging Team of the Year 2015

Top 10 Vacant Home Stager of the Year Canada 2015

Top 10 Redesigner of the Year 2015 (2nd year in a row this honour was given to Shauna Lynn of BTSH)

A few notable accomplishments for the year overall:

- We continue to search for ways to better serve our clients, and with this we have introduced new and improved Client Care Packages for all of our services offered.

- We formed strong relationships with many local suppliers and skilled trades, in an effort to provide a more complete service package to our clients.

- We met with and worked with some of our most memorable clients yet!

- We completed our most notable renovation to date, check out the complete transformation here.

We are so grateful to be a part of such an incredible community, and made extra efforts in 2014 to increase our involvement in local causes in an effort to give back to a community that has given us so much. In addition to our continued involvement with the MS Society, we have worked with a variety of causes, including Smash 4 Cash in support of Strong Start, the local KW Humane Society, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, and the local Family Relocation Program. 

So what is ahead for BTSH in 2015?

- Get ready to pin, because BTSH is putting down some roots on Pinterest, and we’re sharing our inspiration, interests, and expertise with you.

- In addition to expanding our Interior Design team, we have some exciting events planned, but unfortunately you’ll just have to wait for more news on these.

Want to see more from BTSH? We are showcasing many of our works on Houzz, please be sure to check us out and follow us!

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and of course at www.beyondthestagehomes.com.

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

Beyond The Stage Homes Recognized for 3 Industry Awards, Including Top 10 Home Staging Team of the Year 2015

The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) has recognized Shauna Lynn and Beyond The Stage Homes (BTSH) for their outstanding achievements in both home staging and redesign by honouring BTSH with RESA Top 10 Home Staging Team of the Year™ 2015, and Shauna Lynn with RESA Top 10 Home Stager of the Year Vacant Category Canada™ 2015 and RESA Top 10 Redesigner of the Year™ 2015. This is the second year in a row that Shauna Lynn has been nominated in the redesign category. RESA is the trade association for professional real estate stagers and redesigners, and these annual awards recognize outstanding work in our industry.

With the largest home staging inventory locally, we specialize in staging vacant properties, so this is truly an honour. 2014 has been an exciting year, and we have our incredible clients to thank for allowing us the opportunity to work with them (and for trusting our expert advice)!

These awards are voted on by RESA members across North America. The winners of all three awards will be announced January 15, 2015 in Las Vegas at the annual RESA® Home Staging Convention www.RESAConvention.com.

Beyond the Stage Homes (BTSH) provides home staging, decorating, and interior design services to Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and surrounding areas in Southwestern Ontario. Offering a variety of creative services and a talented team of professionals, BTSH has become a leader in their industry. Through their unique ability to combine top quality style with the comfort of every day living, BTSH provides million dollar service to every home, for sale or for renovation and redesign.

For more information about the work and services of Beyond The Stage Homes, and to see the full team of professional, visit www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Read the full story here!

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

Everything I Know... I Learned from Bartending ~ by Shauna Lynn

When I began bartending in my third year of University, I had no idea the long-term impact that this would have. I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur, which is why I studied Business as my minor, but little did I know that the best business lessons I would learn would come from my real-world hospitality experience. I often joked that I was getting paid to make drinks and socialize – two of my favourite past-times! I didn't realize then that I would later attribute much of my success to this fun industry. Bartending helped me to graduate from University debt-free, while still allowing me the time I needed to complete my studies. Following school, it acted as a great “break” from a stressful career as an analyst. And when I was laid off from my last corporate job with mortgage payments and bills to pay, it provided me with a full-time income and the time to re-evaluate my life focus and next steps.

As I began my career as a Home Stager and Interior Designer, bartending provided both the financial and mental relief that I so often needed to get through until my new career became a success.

In the spring of 2013 I officially bartended my last shift at a local restaurant, and the day was met with somewhat mixed feelings about this. Everything I am, and how I have shaped my business to where it is today, can be attributed to the hospitality industry. You can take me out of the bar, but you'll never take the bartender out of me. Some things that I have learned through my bartending over the years and will continue to apply in my business, as well as in life:

• If you don't have the answers, ask someone. When that fails, fake it and hope no one 
  notices. 
• No matter how badly you screw up, apologize, take responsibility, fix it, and smile.
• When things get crazy, keep moving forward - you'll get to the end eventually.
• It doesn't feel like work if you're having fun.
• You get what pay for.
• It never hurts to ask.
• Snapping your fingers or waving money around does not get you things faster, but 
  sometimes a smile will.
• "Shut up and listen" is an effective strategy.
• Don't be afraid to state the obvious - "that sizzling plate is hot", "the suicide wings are 
  spicey", "be sure to make the bed before showings" 
• Everyone has a story, don't pretend you know what it is.
• When all else fails, cheers to another day!

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

Receive $25 Off ALL Home Staging Consultations With Donation to KWAR & RESA Toy Drive

We are pleased to announce that Beyond The Stage Homes will be taking part in the KWAR & RESA Toy Drive for the Salvation Army this holiday season! We are offering $25 off ALL home staging consultations with a donation to the KWAR & RESA Toy Drive!

To participate, simply book your consultation to take place between November 14 and December 10! We will make arrangements to pick up the donated item(s), or can purchase them on your behalf (conditions apply).

Please contact us at info@btshomes.com or 226.240.0766 for more information, or to schedule your consultation!

 

For more information on KWAR, visit:

http://www.kwar.ca/

For more information on RESA, visit:

http://realestatestagingassociation.com/

For more information on the Salvation Army, visit:

http://www.salvationarmy.ca/

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

Home Selling Edge Announces Merger with Beyond the Stage Homes

Stagers now operating under largest home staging company in the region.

Kitchener, ON - Home Selling Edge has merged their operations with Beyond the Stage Homes, the region’s leading home staging company. “I have collaborated with Home Selling Edge on several staging projects over the last year, and I appreciated their style and visual eye. We have always operated with very similar models, philosophies, and core values, so we knew this would be a natural fit,” said Shauna Lynn Simon of Beyond the Stage Homes.

Jennifer Roth of Home Selling Edge said she “realized combining efforts, and working together on projects just made more sense than doing it separately.” Roth received her diploma in Interior Design from Sheridan College in 2008, and began operating Home Selling Edge in 2011.

Beyond the Stage Homes has been providing home staging, interior design, and interior decorating solutions to homeowners since 2008. As the largest home staging company in the region, they are proud to provide the largest home staging rental inventory selection, all of which they own.

In 2014, Simon was voted as one of the Top 10 Redesigns in North America, and in 2013, Roth was voted as one of the Top 10 Rising Star Home Stagers in North America by the Real Estate Staging Association. Both businesses have built and maintained exceptional reputations in the region. Beyond the Stage Homes has seen an increase in the volume of home staging and interior design jobs, which led them to seek out a merger with Home Selling Edge. “We have been looking to grow our team with talented and creative individuals. We are a leader in our industry, and hire the best,” said Simon. “We hope to complement each other’s style and provide the best service and experience to our clients.”

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

BTSH’s 2013 Reflections and 2014 Plans

To say that 2013 was an amazing year for Beyond the Stage Homes would be an understatement. A very special thank you to all of our wonderful clients – thank you for inviting us into your homes and allowing us to assist you with all of your home staging and interior design needs. Thank you especially for making us a part of your winning team!

To summarize this year’s milestones at BTSH:

January - attended RESA conference in San Mateo, CA for a weekend of inspirational speakers, workshops, and networking with fellow Home Stagers across North America

April - introduced the BTSH Home Staging Training Program - this ensures that all BTSH Home Stagers will provide a consistent, quality experience - every time

April - BTSH posted the new Home Stager position and received an overwhelming number of qualified applicants

May - Laura Hanna was selected as the next BTSH Home Stager

July - Laura Hanna completed her BTSH Professional Home Stager Training

May - BTSH's Shauna Lynn featured in popular local publication Grand Magazine

October - BTSH joined the BBB and was accredited with an A rating

December - Shauna Lynn selected as Top 10 Best Redesigns of the Year in North America by RESA for their 2014 Awards

A few notable accomplishments for the year overall: 

 - Total 2013 sales were more than double 2012 sales

 - Interior Design services accounted for approximately 60% of this year's sales

 - BTSH increased Home Staging inventory to accommodate the significant increase in Home Staging clients, and especially Vacant Staging Projects. BTSH now owns the largest inventory rental system in the Grand River area with approximately $100K in rental artwork, accessories, textiles, and furniture.

So what is ahead for BTSH in 2014?

 - Looking forward to a new stager joining the staff in January - stay tuned for details!

 - BTSH will be posting for another Home Stager position in the spring - please email info@btshomes.com if you would like to be notified of this posting

 - BTSH will also be looking to expand the interior design team in 2014 - details for this to be posted later in the year

- We will increase our focus even further on vacant staging projects

- A continued focus on client care and customer satisfaction to remain your top choice for Home Staging and Interior Design

Want to see more from BTSH? We are showcasing many of our works on Houzz, please be sure to check us out and follow us!

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and of course at www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com