Home with Keki

Staging Real Estate

2017 Goals

Lifestyle

Well, I am one month into 2017, okay we all are, and not sure if you all set resolutions, or monthly goals, or even a word for the year, but, I have always made resolutions. However, this year was different. It was “the end all or be all.” 

I have been Staging homes for over seven years, I have been blogging about it all and other stuff for three. All of it with the love and support of my husband, since, you know, I still had kids at home. I am “that” mom, the one that wants to work full time, but at the same time be a full-time mom. Not easy, but, do-able with a supportive husband. So I started a biz back in 2008, and a blog a few years later. For me 2017 was going to be THE year, THE year that decided if Home Staging will make the bank and the year that “blogging” (where I spend my “free time”, some get mani/pedi’s or play paddle, I blog) signified something. 

So yea, 2017 was the make it or break it year. Well, it is funny when you set that realizations, what actually comes into fruition. Yup, read on. 
 
One day into the New Year, like literally on 1/2/17 I got accepted to Reward Style. Now, I have applied a few times over the last year to get rejected. But, it was a New Year and on 1/1/17 I decided to apply one last time.Cause you know, it was the year of make it or break it.

If you don’t know what Reward Style is, it’s basically an affiliate program for digital influencers. Reward Style is not open to every blogger or instagrammer, cause then everyone would think, oh let me blog and join Reward Style to make some cash. Nope, not that easy. You need to kind of prove yourself. Well, I applied ONE FINAL time and BAM! It happened, I heard from them 24 hours later and became part of an amazing group of digital influencers.

The reason it might be a goal for some bloggers is because it’s a way to earn income on the visions you are sharing with your audience. So you might be like, well, I don’t want to pay extra for you to earn an extra buck. No no no, the cost for the buyer is not affected, it would cost the same if you bought it in the store, online, or clicked from my site or Instagram. 


Oh man it’s nice if someone actually clicks over to make that purchase, cause then they are helping me continue to do what I love to do…share my home ideas with you all. How much would it mean if you clicked over from my site or Instagram, if you were already going to purchase the item? OH so much!!!
 
It’s like a girl scout knocking on your door to sell you Thin Mints. You are like, “Awe, that’s nice, fun product, but no thanks.” 
And then when you close the door you go online and order it from the Girl Scouts Website instead. Sad face one tear emoji. Awe, you could have helped her out. So that is like reward style/affiliate link. So, somehow in the vast world of the social media I worked my tail off and got the respect needed to be accepted into Reward Style. 

Regardless, one of my 2017 goals was that, one last time, I am not joking, I was going to apply. Well, what do you know, it was the last time I applied. 

WORK = APPLY = GOALS = SHIT HAPPENS
 

Okay, so one goal happens what are the chances of more. Another goal I set out for myself was to be a regular contributor to another great, I mean like renowned blogger. We work crazy hours to provide content to our own site why would we work to create content for someone else?

Well, lets start at the beginning. I started as a Home Staging company. The first three years I actually spent money on advertising, marketing, and public outreach. Since I added blogging to the business I have spent ZERO on marketing. Literally a percentage of my current clients found my blog and then clicked over to my business page. Also, because of the blog I can have clients outside Chicago providing them with e-designs. 

Okay, I regress, so when you meet a business who has a blog, just know that that is their marketing tool. It is part of their survival. Years ago I added a blog to the Home Staging Company, ignorantly thinking that having a blog tied to the business would be enough. Holy crap, adding a blog to your business does absolutely nothing….literally nothing. You have to actually create content and that takes a lot of work. The content has to be great and a reflection of your style and brand. 

But, once again I did not give up. Year after year I powered through. But, in 2017 I knew I was ready to go the distance and had what I needed to be a contributor for someone else. I knew that if I could just get on someone’s blog, I might get a wider reach….AKA MARKETING.

So when I got accepted to be part of the Holiday Team Contributors for A Blissful Nest I gave it my all. Like 250% (which by the way is one of my resolutions, more on that below).

Well, I saw results. Rebekah, the amazing and talented blogger behind A Blissful Nest tweeted, facebooked, and instagrammed, my content on her blog. I literally tripled my pageviews and outreach in two months. And when you own your own biz that means triple business. 

Okay, so the holiday team thing was over and I was sad cause it was an amazing experience, but, last week I heard from Rebekah and she asked me to join her contributor team “full time.”

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!”
Can we all just scream. Alright, so now the work begins. Even more work but when you are loving what you do, is it work? I know so cliche but oh so true.
 
As mentioned above, part of my goals was to give 250% in everything I do. If it is making my bed every morning, making a good cup of coffee, staging a clients home, picking out paint colors for a design client or writing a blog post. The hard work pays off. 
SECOND GOAL OF 2017 = CHECKED
 
OKAY, so these two major goals for 2017 are in the checked box. What could be left? OH SO MUCH more so stay tune, but, friendships was at the top. Through the years, I have lost, gained and maintained friendships. Sometimes friendships are just meant to subside, and I truly believe you become who you hang out with. So sometimes you just need to not care to let people go so you can grow.  
motivational quotes for the girl boss #womeinbiz #girlboss www.homewithkeki.com
 
motivational quotes for the girl boss #womeinbiz #girlboss www.homewithkeki.com
 But, at the end of a rough week sometime you just need that girl shoulder to cry on, to hold on to, or to maybe just have a glass of pinot with and laugh. For that reason, one of my 2017 goals was to continue to maintain those friendships. So yea, I am thankful to have those around me that get me, accept me, and well, take me out for a cup of fancy tea at The Drake, just cause. 
To my CJ and Kara – may god continue to give us strength to continue to handle us in 2017

 

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Comments

  3. Lindsey Paris says

    It's all about perseverance. You have to keep going! A fellow panelist of mine this year applied to the Moms Panel for ten years, and she never gave up. This year, she was chosen! I'm proud of you and your goal!

  11. Terri Steffes says

    Congrats! Meeting a goal is always so cool. So my daughter just moved to Chicago and like you, is busy, busy, busy. You can find her on Instagram at @ashleyhasty I think you two would hit it off.

  12. J says

    Congrats to you on meeting your goal and the reward style acceptance! I felt I wasn't giving my all for a while so I went and bought all the camera equipment, lights etc to help make things better and nowhere I feel like I need to give my all and 250% and now I'm loving it! – Jeanine

  23. Tereza Kohutova says

    Love the boost of positivity and energy in you, so inspiring!
    Btw – totally know what you mean when you say it's hard to get to Reward Style. They in fact invited me to join them but I wasn't interested at the time and when I was like – okay, can I join now please (just a few months later) – they were like NO, YOU'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. But? Like, really? Haha! So WELL DONE on making it, they are such a pain! xx

  26. Unknown says

    These are great goals! I've tried to sign up to Reward Style a few times over the past few months. Just going to keep trying 🙂

  27. Heather Garcia says

    Congrats on getting into Reward Style! That is awesome! I love that you are in the interior design field. That is my true love and what I graduated in, but I have never fully made the jump into doing it full time. I so want to though!

  30. Tough Cookie Mommy says

    I often wondered who staged homes for real estate agents like the ones I see on television selling multi-million dollar homes. I'm so glad your goals are right on track. I bet you have a great eye for decorating.