Standing at the front of the Home Staging Association’s 2019 Forum audience filled every ounce of my body with fear, but now, just days on I am ready to do it again. Why? Because YOU supported me.

It is just days after the HSA Forum 2019, and I am still absolutely exhausted from my talk.

As someone who had never done any conference or forum speaking, standing in front of some of the UK’s leading Home Stagers is something that I just couldn’t have seen as being in my future. But here I was on the stage, mic in hand.

Full of fear, shaking and feeling as though someone was sitting on my chest, I opened up. I pushed past the feeling of “sit down, you are embarrassing yourself” and I told my story.

I showed the audience every area of my vulnerability. They quite genuinely couldn’t have seen a more truthful, raw and honest version of who I am. But rather than brush me off as an inexperienced speaker, they listened and connected. They laughed with me, they cheered me on when I needed to catch my breath and they stood up at the end and clapped with genuine pride.

Stepping off that stage I was greeted with supportive embraces, thoughts of gratitude and the kindest words. I continued to shake for the rest of the evening; It was the most terrifying thing I had ever done.

“The HSA give us incredible channels

to support one another,

and we need to embrace them”

Reflecting on this today, I have realised so much. Just days after feeling as though I could never publicly speak again……I actually want to, and this is because of you.

Support and unity in a community is a powerful thing, and we are in a unique professional community. Our industry is not yet at full demand and the thing that will bring it to reality for us, is us.

I genuinely believe that if the support from all of you following my talk can give me the strength to want to do it again, then together we can support one another to grow confidence in boosting awareness of the Home Staging industry throughout the UK & Ireland. We can support each other’s businesses to grow, and in turn we will each grow stronger, and watch as the demand for our services increase.

Paloma and her team at the HSA give us incredible channels to support one another, and we need to embrace them. Network and share advice, socialise and work together, attend events and learn from one another. This is what will make our industry thrive.

I am and will be forever grateful for every word of kindness and support you have given me following the HSA Forum and can’t wait to watch our industry grow throughout 2020.

Natalie Evans

Little Barn Door