Should I meet with my peers at a RESA meeting?

Today, I attended my first RESA meeting and I must tell you that I have been apprehensive in the past to attend a meeting with my peers in the industry. Because I know that some of you can relate to this feeling, maybe what I saw can help:

Think about this...

WORRYING IS STRESSFUL! Why worry? When I first started my staging business almost 2 years ago and up until a few months ago, I was concerned about competition taking "my ideas." After being in this meeting, I don't feel that others were there to try to dig up information to use in their businesses, but rather I found that there was a sense of support as we all shared with one another. We are ALL still learning, so don't worry. Don't worry about sharing or that your "ideas" will be used by your competition. Stress is not good and takes away a lot of joy that being in this industry provides.

Besides...

BUSINESS WILL COME IF YOU DO YOUR BEST! Why are you in this business? If you are like me, to help people. I know it sounds cliche, but it is true. We have the joy of helping people with their homes, by either helping them sell their house faster through home staging or by giving them a new look to live in through redesign. How rewarding is that? VERY! Happy customers bring about refferals and that WILL happen if I do my best. People can sense when you really care enough to do your best and your work will speak for itself. Business will come.

Here's a hard question...

AS HOME STAGERS, ARE WE GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S SUCCESS?? Absolutely! I need to be. I have found myself glad for other's successes, especially in recent days. It sure makes me feel better. People who are doing well have worked hard. Why not be happy for them?

In closing...

Please take the same advice that I was given from a friend a few months ago...go to a networking meeting. These meetings are good for everyone, if you go with an open mind. They are fun and educational and you will find a special support from people who understand our unique industry. Don't worry about sharing "secret" information, but go to BE a support to others. Share. You will find that you have a lot in common with other stagers and will be able to hear and share interesting stories as well as challenges we all face in the industry. This was just our first "introductionary meeting", so I am excited to see what I can learn and bring to the table in the future!