Before Mickey Benedict started Mickey’s Staging Solutions she had a career as a Kindergarten teacher, curriculum director and also conquered the adventures of being a stay at home mom. Mickey started doing residential flipping in 2012 where she discovered her passion for design and was inspired to become an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) in 2018.
“My husband and I were in the process of flipping an investment property and there was an awkward sun-room that needed to have a better vision for a buyer. I purchased my first bits of inventory thinking that my daughter may use the furnishings after college. It never dawned on me that I would actually fall in love with the staging transformation and spend the next few years building a warehouse full of inventory.”
As a member of the Real Estate Staging Association, Mickey understands the fundamentals necessary to have a business focused on preparing homes for sale and is committed to the principles and practices of marketing properties such as staged homes. It is the tedious attention that she and her staff gives to each individual project which helps sellers, real estate agents, builders, and flippers accomplish what it takes to get top dollar for their properties.
“RESA provides the backbone for growth and confidence in the industry. There are so many opportunities to gain knowledge, and to strengthen your business.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICKEY:
My motto is…
Approach every day with an open mind and heart.
I love staging because…
I love staging because it allows me to creatively express myself. It challenges me daily and gives me overall confidence in myself.
When I am not working I enjoy…
When I am not working I enjoy a good pool day….pool raft, Jimmy Buffet, and a blended fruity drink! Stress-free time with my family is priceless.
Right now I am obsessed with…
Right now I am obsessed with implementing my inventory system! It’s overwhelming to think I could have ever functioned without it.
My morning ritual is…
My morning ritual is greeting my 2 Yorkshire terriers, sipping a vanilla latte, a quick stretch, and reviewing my “to do” list. I like to get a clear list of what I will accomplish each day so I stay focused.
My number one goal this year is…
My number one goal this year is to provide jobs where other designers can regain their self-worth. When your employees feel empowered and love coming to work your team is unstoppable.
My go-to staging accessory is…
My go-to staging accessory is a table vignette. That typically includes a decorative tray, a plant, candle, and string of beads.
When faced with a struggle…
When faced with a struggle I often hear my dad’s voice in my head. He uses the term “small potatoes”, meaning do the best you can because in the big picture the struggle you are dealing with is comparatively small. Just be flexible and make the situation right.
Why did you choose to become a stager?
I chose to be a stager because I knew it would fill the void as my kids “left the nest”. I would have the ability to do what I love, meet new people, and still have a little flexibility in my schedule.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
A perfect day starts with a Property Image Consultation, a stage prep, and a notification that a house sold quickly for over asking price…followed by pizza!
Who is your role model and why?
My role model is actually my daughter. She has faced a few surgeries where she learned to focus hard on her physical therapy, overcome many obstacles to reach her dreams, and kept a positive outlook while striving to reach her goals. Her hard grit determination, kind heart, and willingness to help others are so admirable.
Good staging should…
Good staging isn’t good at all…..it’s exceptional and you know it when you see it! Well thought out design plans that incorporate current design trends are essential to maximizing the selling potential for every single listing.
Would you rather stage an occupied listing or vacant?
My preference from an ease perspective is to stage a vacant property. Things are cut and dry with few challenges. I do however love working with the homeowners in an occupied property especially when you give new life to their ordinary things, and they are overjoyed with the transformation. I also love to find interesting decor that sellers have picked up on a remote vacation.
What project are you really excited about right now and why?
Right now I am excited that we are expanding our design services to the business. We have made a leave behind postcards for every destage so the buyer knows we can help with color consultations, window treatments, and design advice. I had always left a few business cards behind on the destage (I tuck them in a kitchen drawer so they don’t get tossed). When calls came in from the buyer saying they loved the staging and asking if I did design services, I knew I had an opportunity to gain some business in that area.
You can find out more about Mickey and her company by visiting her website https://www.mickeysstagingsolutions.com/
The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA®) is the trade association for professional real estate stagers. RESA is a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt non-profit trade association. For more information about real estate staging, or to find a professional stager call 888-201-8687 or visit the RESA website at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com.
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