Mamas rock: Shelley Franchini
Filed Under Mamas Rock | September 21, 2007
This month in Mamas Rock we’re profiling local entrepreneurial mama Shelley Franchini, aka The Stage Mother. Rather than a Teri Shields or Dina Lohan, Franchini is a home stager. She comes in and decorates your house to show it off to its best advantage. The goal? To sell your house fast and hopefully for more money than it might if potential buyers have to try and overlook the couch that’s lurked around since college.
For Franchini home staging runs the gamut from simply tidying up and rearranging what you’ve already got, to full on staging, including bringing in props which she collects. Mother of two boys, five-year-old Rory and three-year-old Dylan, she came out of an extended maternity leave wanting to run her own business. She combined a background in administration, photography and creative writing with previous entrepreneurial experience and certification from the Staging Divaâ„¢ Home Staging Business Training Program to create an enterprise she can run from home.
Franchini’s husband is also self-employed, so the couple are able to juggle childcare and school runs. They also get lots of help from her parents, who she describes as “active babysitters.” One of her challenges is focus. “It can be hard to compartmentalize when your mind is cluttered with so many things going on.” She also has to be careful of homeowner’s feelings when she’s making staging suggestions. People’s homes reflect their personalities and contain their treasures, Franchini says, “so you can’t just go in and say this is awful, it all has to go!”
The rewards for Franchini are the ability to create something of your own, on your own terms. She also likes being able to set an example of confidence and dedication for her children.
Find out more about home staging and Franchini’s services on her website.
Entrepreneurial Tip:
Franchini is a big fan of planning and also recognizing that all will not always go smoothly. “You will need time to grow and learn. Mistakes and missteps are all part of the journey. Ask for help when you need it. Personally and professionally. No mum is an island.”
Home Staging Tip:
Knowing that Vancouver’s housing market is a constant source of interest, discussion and frustration we asked Franchini for the easiest and quickest fix you can make to your home when selling. She recommends removing junk and clutter, clearing off counter tops and leaving everything clean and tidy. She also suggested the odd artful arrangement such as a trio of white vases or a stack of books topped with a shell.
Previous mamas who rock:
• Sharon Chai, Bamboobino
• Lori Joy Smith, artist
New today on our list of things to do around town that aren’t affected by the strike:
Please note, due to inclement weather, this event has been moved to the Pit Pub & so kids aren’t able to participate. It’s the 5th annual FarmAde today at the UBC Farm. Rain or shine there’ll be live music from the Agora String Band, the Ammonia Stars and Wille & the Po’ Boys. Enjoy barbequed burgers and fresh corn, a beer garden, farm tours, a children’s area and more. 3 pm – 7 pm at the UBC Farm.
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