September 2, 2015
May-Ann Sorvali, Abode Property Styling
At a Glance
Bio The path that led her to this point
My background is in Interior Design and I'm passionate about creating beautiful interiors, incorporating my knowledge of the building industry and all that it encompasses.
Originally I worked in my step mothers lingerie shop when I was 16. Then I settled down and I was a stay at home mum. I was at home for some 10 years. About this time my marriage broke down. And we got divorced.
I decided to studied Interior Design at this stage as my youngest son was in school. I studied part time for 6 years.This I enjoyed very much. I left my studies to work at Myers as I needed an income.
I then worked at Imported Ceramics, they specialise in importing tiles. There I helped clients chose tiles and laminates for their new home. I left there and started work at Tradelink where I helped clients with their plumbing requirements. From a new home selection to renovations.
In the meantime I studied Feng Shui as a short course. At this point I was going to put my home on the market. I realised that if I better presented my home, somehow I would make more money from the sale.
I used my knowledge of my past expertise and went to work on decluttering, painting, tiling. I mulched the gardens and mowed lawns etc.
The house sold on that first weekend of listing.
At this time I was working for Kresta blinds and I spent some 8 years there as a Sales Rep.
Some time late this is when I thought I could help other people with their presentation of their home.
My son in law told me about Home Staging.
I was excited and I did a Small Business course - Cert IV in Small Business Management in 2014.
I launched the business in September 2014.
I am now celebrating my first year and looking forward to a wonderful year helping people better present their home for sale.
My goal as a Home Stylist is to create an environment where by the prospecting home buyers can see themselves living there and make the move to purchase the property.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
My biggest achievement is to be a single mother of three beautiful children, and taking on studies and working full time. I attending Interior design studies for 6 years, acquired a Cert IV in Small Business Management and completed a Home Staging Business Training Programme.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
My biggest challenge is I'm not that great on the PC. Although I did design my own website and the feed back had been positive. One day I will pay someone else to update it .
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
I wish I'd launched my business earlier.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
My most loved business resource would be my website. I generally get a bit of traffic there. I enjoy updating my business facebook page and informing my friends of the latest trends.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
Home Staging guru Debra Gould. She has a very successful home staging training course.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Do a Small Business Course. And then do it. We can join forces.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I launched my website. Without a website, no one can find you. I also have a listing on Yellow Pages. I have also had an inquiry from Gumtree.
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