Interview with Liv Conlon, founder of ThePropertyStagers
Many of the world’s most successful business ideas are born out of frustration, and 20 year old Liv Conlon’s million pound ThePropertyStagers business is no exception.
When Liv’s mother Ali struggled to sell her investment property after three months on the market, a then seventeen year old Liv had an epiphany…she would personally give the flat a ‘show home’ makeover.
“In three days it sold above the valuation, selling the furniture to boot with a nice healthy profit…and so ThePropertyStagers was born!” explains Liv.
Currently operating throughout the UK, ThePropertyStagers and their team of ten, furnish around 300 properties per year in the UK. What makes the business unique, aside from its exemplary reputation in the sector, is that its young founder has grown revenue from £30,000 in year one, to £1 million in the space of twelve months.
Beyond continued business growth the remarkable Liv’s goal is simple – to furnish her generation with the message that there are alternatives to the cookie cutter traditional academic route.
Where did the idea for ThePropertyStagers come from?
When my mum struggled to sell her investment property after three months on the market, I had an epiphany:
“I knew about staging (the art of ‘making over’ a home to encourage its quick sale) as a concept and decided to engage a staging service. However we couldn’t’t find anyone who offered this service at an affordable price – so I decided to do it myself.
In three days it sold above the valuation, selling the furniture to boot with a nice healthy profit…and so ThePropertyStagers was born!”
How did you move from idea to actual business?
I started networking at property events and like most businesses, I had one client to start with who required my service.
What’s your USP?
We offer something that no other company in the market offers, an interior design look on a budget, with original artwork, imported soft furnishing and handpicked lamps and accessories. It is challenging giving an original look in each property when you are doing it in such high volume.
What’s been your most successful marketing strategy?
Organic Facebook posts. It has been incredible just how successful authentic posts on the platform have been.
What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Reverse ageism! I was only 17 when I started the business and I was worried that people wouldn’t take me seriously. It took a while and I had to work really hard as I had many nay-sayers but my work and drive for excellence spoke for itself and I now find my age is a benefit as it will hopefully inspire other to ignore age & realise everything is possible, and life is too short not to create it on your own terms.
And your proudest moment so far?
I am delighted that my mum Ali left her job to join the business a year ago and we have just both been inducted into the LEA’s ‘Hall of Fame,’ and it all feels wonderful because it’s the culmination of our hard work. My brother has also just joined us, so it is truly a family affair.
Why is your business so important to you?
It gives me a sense of freedom to control my own destiny and I have met so many wonderful people as a result of how varied the business is.
I speak at lots of events about our service and my journey, so I’m privileged that I get the opportunity to furnish my generation with the message that there are alternatives to the cookie cutter traditional academic route. And other age groups that no matter your age, it’s talent and sheer hard work that determine your success.
What’s your advice for someone wanting to do something similar?
The advice I would give is stay in the one lane and don’t watch what anyone else is doing. I have stuck by it, which is why I think the business has been so successful. It’s really tempting to jump into the ‘next big thing’ but by focusing on our niche I have built a business so successful that our biggest competitors have asked to merge with us.
You can find out more about ThePropertyStagers on their website.
