Your home can be touched by an Angel with Angel Booth’s Vignettes Home Staging, LLC
https://www.tiktok.com/@debrahillsings
Your home can be touched by an Angel with Angel Booth’s Vignettes Home Staging, LLC
In celebration of Black Business Month is my feature of Angel Booth, owner of Vignettes Home Staging.
In celebration of Black Business Month is my feature of Angel Booth, owner of Vignettes Home Staging. I’ve known Angel as a personal friend, professional stager, and a featured singer on my hit song, “Celebrate My Birthday“. She is multi-talented and brings her insights and knowledge as a black female entrepreneur to others wishing to fulfill their career aspirations.
D is for Debra and A is for Angel
Knowing I can pave the way for future black entrepreneurs is incredibly fulfilling.
D: Can you share your journey to becoming a business owner and what inspired you to start your own business?
A: I started Vignettes Home Staging as a side hustle. I was working for the state government when a church member introduced me to a fellow homestager. I had heard of home staging but did not know that it was something offered in Richmond, Virginia. I always had a passion for home furnishings and real estate so when I saw I could help people sell their homes through interior design, I immediately lit up. I knew I had to look into it. After further research, I eventually took the leap and started my own business, Vignettes Home Staging. After staging as a side hustle for five years, I went full-time in 2023.
According to Zippia, 2.8% of professional homestagers are Black or African American.
D: Well. that is really interesting because many people like myself are familiar with interior design but not exactly the career of home staging. I think you are unique in this particular profession.
A: I get to unleash my creativity. The feedback my clients have when they see the staging transformation is incredibly rewarding.
D: What appeals to you most about home staging?
A: What I love most about my career is the design aspect. Every project is a blank canvas. It’s amazing to know that my work can help someone envision their future home. Another important rewarding aspect is being able to inspire others who look like me because representation matters. Knowing I can pave the way for future black entrepreneurs is incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, the connections I’ve made with other black business owners have created a supportive community that lifts each other up.
D: If I want to become a business owner, can you tell me about any organizations that can help me?
A: I have found tremendous support from local organizations such as the Metropolitan Business League (MBL) and the Women’s Business Center. They offer small business educational sessions, and networking opportunities and have introduced me to different funding opportunities for my business.
D: What is your unique approach to home staging, and how do you tailor it to different requests?
A: I think what makes Vignettes Home Staging unique is our aesthetic and diverse inventory. We don’t shy away from novelty and invest a lot in our inventory. We believe that staging is more than just putting furniture in a home, so we tailor each staging to the specific property, considering the architecture, the neighborhood, and the target buyer demographic.
D: If I wanted to sell my home and book you as my stager, what would that process look like?
A: First, in a consultation, I view the space to assess who the potential buyers would be and what styles, designs, pieces, and areas would be most important to stage. Afterward, I follow up with a quote via email where you can accept the quote, sign the contract, and pay the invoice (all electronically). Then, we schedule the installation date.
Next, our team designs and hand-selects all furniture, art, and accessories for your property from our inventory. On staging day the team arrives and handles everything from start to finish. We deliver, install, and arrange all the furniture, art, and accessories to create a memorable first impression for potential buyers. After we stage we always recommend having professional photos taken for marketing. After your property is under contract, we come back and remove all the staging.
Staging is more than just putting furniture in a home, so we tailor each staging to the specific property, considering the architecture, the neighborhood, and the target buyer demographic.
D: Please tell me about your personal philosophy as a home stager.
A: Home staging is more than just furniture, it’s actually bringing to life someone’s vision of their lifestyle, family, hopes, and dreams for the future. When you walk through a potential home, my job as a stager is to help your vision come to life. I bring a variety of styles to present to different types of people who may want to buy your new home. We stay updated on design trends by attending industry events, following top designers, and constantly researching.
D: Yes, I called on you to help stage my backyard and my bedroom even though I wasn’t selling my home. I shared my goals and asked for your expertise on staging and now I have a lovely gazebo in my backyard and my bedroom is comfortable and romantic.
A: Yes, I truly enjoyed working on your home projects and bringing your unique vision to life. I am pleased you are satisfied.
D: Tell me about some of the premiere projects Vignettes has done over the last two years.
A. We had the privilege of working on a variety of projects, from cozy single-family homes to modern urban condos. One memorable project was the 2023 Fall Homerama where we staged a showcase home for Monaco Homes. The Richmond Homearama is one of the region’s biggest home builders showcase events, so it was a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of that event. We also worked with Virginia Housing to showcase affordable housing options like Virginia’s first 3-D printed home in south Richmond.
D: Yes, as an entrepreneur you have also used your business to promote the health and wellness of the community. Please share some of your philanthropic efforts.
A: I’m committed to giving back to the community that has supported me so much. We have a philanthropic component to our business called “Stage for Hope” where a portion of our profits are donated to Richmond Habitat for Humanity to support affordable housing in our community. Last year we also became a Communities in Schools (CIS) partner at Martin Luther King Middle School. Our first community project at the school was pro bono to revitalize the teacher wellness room. We unveiled that room to the teachers and staff in November of last year, and it was a great success.
D: What have been some of the unique challenges you’ve faced as a Black business owner, and how have you overcome them?
A: One unique challenge has been navigating the industry with limited access to certain networks and capital. However, I’ve overcome these obstacles by building strong relationships within my community and seeking out opportunities like the Comcast RISE grant. Resilience and persistence have been key, along with finding mentorship and support from others who have faced similar challenges.
Congratulations to Angel Booth with Vignettes Home Staging on your receipt of the Comcast Rise Grant to acknowledge your contributions and provide resources for your future business growth.
Recently, Vignettes Home Staging is one of 100 Richmond small businesses awarded the Comcast Rise Grant. This comprehensive grant will help grow the business, increase inventory, and bring in new design elements that reflect both current trends and the unique character of the Richmond market.
One component of the grant is a 30-second commercial that will expand Vignettes Home Staging’s reach throughout Richmond.
D: What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to start their own businesses?
A: Also, my advice would be to believe in your vision and never underestimate your worth. Surround yourself with a supportive network and be prepared to face challenges head-on. Your journey may not be easy, but it will be worth it.
About Angel Booth
Angel Booth is a native of Richmond, VA. She is an award-winning home stager and owner of Vignettes Home Staging LLC. Outside of her enthusiasm for rearranging furniture and fetching home accents, Angel is a proud alumnus of Hampton University, loves listening to public radio, and enjoys singing in her church choir.
Connect with Angel
Across all social media: @VignettesStaging_rva
Looking for a Home Staging Professional?
Contact Angel Booth and use my code: DEBRAHILLSINGS. If you book, you will receive 15% off.
The offer expires on October 31, 2024.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
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