Comments on: The Debate Over Home Staging Credentials Continues

By: Debra Gould

Debra Gould — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:08:37 +0000

Kathi, it's funny you bring up the old adage about "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." As it happens, most courses that give you "accreditation" or "certification" are taught by people without any successful track record of making money as home stagers. I grew my own home staging business to $10,000 a month in revenue before ever introducing the Staging Diva Training Program. I was not a real estate agent, I was a full-time home stager and single Mom, supporting my family and paying my mortgage. I had also been featured in magazines, newspapers and been on HGTV at that point, further proof that I knew about being a home stager and about marketing! After all, why would CNN and The Wall Street Journal feature me out of all the possible home stagers to contact? There are now over 4,000 Staging Diva students across the United States, Canada, Australia and 18 other countries and they are successfully using my formula for making money as a home stager. They can call themselves "certified" if they like, but they know they don't need to hide behind that because I teach them how to confidently promote their own expertise in a meaningful way.

By: Kathi Howland

Kathi Howland — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:40:43 +0000

Everyone is looking to corner the market on some scam or another. Would a person anymore say they were an “accredited” singer, artist, actor, dancer, writer, or even real estate agent?

We need to separate what’s bogus and what’s not.

“Certified” and “Accredited” reminds me of that old saying : “Those who can – do. Those who cannot – teach”.

Kathi Howland
Nicole Interiors Home Staging

By: dcredesign.com » Blog Archive » You Have the What, Now Who?

dcredesign.com » Blog Archive » You Have the What, Now Who? — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:09:34 +0000

[...] asked about my name or lack of certification initials. However many have asked Debra Gould of the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program (which I have completed) why she has chosen NOT to provide credentials after the completion of her [...]

By: Sandra Hughes

Sandra Hughes — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 21:58:35 +0000

I am comfortable with the training and my abilities that I do not feel the need to be
“accredited”. I had a situation where a Realtor asked me if I was “accredited” once I explained I had been through a staging program and how the being “accredited or certified” works she was fine with it. I think the general public does not understand that the “accreditations” are fake

By: Debra Gould

Debra Gould — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 19:40:43 +0000

Absolutely! Thank you Nancy for sharing your thoughts on this important topic!

By: Nancy Dart

Nancy Dart — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 01:03:40 +0000

I do believe if there is no real certification for home staging, that we would be adding to the confusion by making up fake credentials.

I think we have to do our best to educate our clients and the public. As they become more educated we will be the ones seen as truthful and trustworthy and deserving of the opportunity to serve them.

You know what they say, “Honesty is the best policy”!