Deborah Brown-Pullin

I attribute my success to the 30 years of experience I brought with me from retail, especially in visual presentation, customer service, leadership, and design. When I started Staging-By Design, I wasn’t starting from scratch. I was taking everything I had learned throughout my career and using it in a new way.

I also believe in having a plan, being patient with the process, and continuing to learn. Building a business doesn’t happen overnight, and I’ve learned that you have to stay focused, be willing to pivot and keep moving forward.

Having a strong support system has also been important to me. Mentors, peers, and others in my network have encouraged me, shared their knowledge, and helped me see things from a different perspective.

Most importantly, I was willing to take a chance on myself and start something new. I believe the experience I've gained over the years has value; you just have to be willing to recognize it and find the right way to use it.

The best advice I was given was to put systems and processes in place from the beginning. You may be able to manage everything yourself when the business is small, but as it grows, having structure in place makes a big difference.

I was also reminded to know my numbers, stay consistent, and be patient with the process. Those lessons have helped me make better decisions and build a stronger foundation for the business.

My advice to women entering the home staging industry is to understand that nothing happens overnight. Building a business takes time, patience, and consistency.

Be careful not to take on more jobs than you can efficiently handle. It can be tempting to say yes to every opportunity, especially when you’re building your business, but the quality of your work and the experience you provide your clients are important. Know your capacity and grow at a pace that allows you to do your best work.

Don’t concern yourself with what everyone else is doing. Stay focused on your own business, your clients, and the goals you have set for yourself. Have systems and processes in place, continue learning, and surround yourself with mentors and peers who can support you along the way.

And be willing to pivot. What you thought your business would look like in the beginning may change as you gain experience and learn what works for you and your clients.

Most importantly, have patience with yourself and the process. Build a strong foundation, stay focused, and give your business the time it needs to grow.

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the real estate market. When the market changes, you have to be willing to adjust and look at your business differently.

That has reinforced for me how important it is to diversify and create additional streams of revenue instead of relying on one service alone.

The challenge is learning how to adapt without losing focus. You have to pay attention to what the market is doing, understand what your clients need, and be willing to pivot when necessary.

The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, consistency, respect, and accountability. I believe in doing what you say you’re going to do, treating people well, and being someone others can depend on.

I also value honesty, hard work, and giving people the same level of respect whether I’m working with a client, a colleague, a vendor, or someone in my personal life.

For me, success is not just about the work you produce. It is also about how you conduct yourself, how you treat people, and the relationships you build along the way.