When I started my staging business, I thought success meant staying busy. I had jobs coming in, I was constantly running to installs, and I was working nights to catch up on invoices and emails. But behind the scenes? I was overwhelmed, disorganized, and reactive.

It took me a while to realize I wasn’t running a business—I was running myself into the ground.

If that sounds familiar, it’s time to upgrade from solo creative to staging CEO. That means installing systems, tracking performance, managing your time like an asset, and using the right tools to make it all easier.

Here’s exactly how to do it.

1. Create Systems That Do the Heavy Lifting

Systems allow your business to run without you micromanaging every step. They're what make your business scalable and your team dependable.

Tools that help:

• Loom.com: Record video SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for your team—faster than writing and easy to update. I use Loom for explainer videos and videos for my VAs. 
• Google Drive or Notion: Organize all your SOPs, templates, and checklists in one place.
• ClickUp or Monday.com: Use task management software to systematize recurring workflows like staging day prep or new client onboarding.

Set up repeatable processes for:

• Client intake
• Inventory sourcing
• Staging day logistics
• Billing and expense tracking
• De-staging

Pro Tip: Once your SOPs are documented, you can delegate confidently instead of repeating yourself every time and stop giving employees an excuse for messing up.

2. Track KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) That Actually Matter

If you're not measuring performance, you’re guessing. That’s fine for the early days—not for a sustainable business.

Key KPIs to track, for example:

• Profit per project
• Expenses per project
• Total monthly overhead 
• Average days on market after staging
• Price sold over asking
• Monthly operating expenses vs. revenue

Tools that help:

• QuickBooks: For tracking revenue, expenses, and generating profit & loss statements.
• Google Sheets or Excel: Build a simple KPI dashboard 
• The Ultimate Staging Pricing Calculator to make sure EVERY job is profitable
• Dubsado: For client tracking, invoicing, and project pipelines.

Set a recurring task to review KPIs monthly—schedule it like a meeting with your future success. Look at your numbers and try to see where you can save money and what you can do to increase profits. 

3. Time Block Like a CEO, Not a Freelancer

If everything is urgent, nothing is strategic. Time blocking helps you prioritize and avoid burnout.

Here’s how I block time:

• CEO Time: strategy, planning, reviewing numbers
• Creative Time: designing looks, sourcing inventory, research
• Admin Time: emails, invoicing, scheduling
• Marketing Time: content, social, outreach

Tools that help:

• Google Calendar: Color-code blocks for each business “hat” you wear.
• Motion: AI-powered task scheduling that auto-assigns tasks based on your availability.
• Focus Keeper: (Pomodoro app) Keeps you productive in short bursts—especially during admin work.
• Simplest: Set a timer for each time block. Work on those tasks until time is up. 

Protect your time like a real asset. Because it is.

4. Make Decisions Like an Executive

Emotions are part of creativity—but not a reliable decision-making tool in business. Use frameworks to stay objective and strategic.

Examples:

• Eisenhower Matrix: Helps you prioritize tasks (urgent vs. important).
• 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle): Focus on the 20% of actions or clients driving 80% of results.

Tools that help:

• Slack: Keeps team communication streamlined and out of your inbox.
• Airtable: Customizable database for project analysis, client tracking, and decision logs.
• ChatGPT: Use for brainstorming, strategy outlines, and scenario planning. I use ChatGPT like a VA. 

When you start using real frameworks, your decisions become faster, clearer, and less stressful.

5. Think Like a Boss, Act Like a Brand

Being the CEO of your staging business isn’t about being busy—it’s about being intentional.

That means:

• Stop pricing like a hobbyist. Start pricing for profit. Check out The Ultimate Staging Pricing Calculator
• Stop saying “yes” to every project. Say “yes” to the right ones. It's not only OK, but I applaud you if you say no to projects that aren't a good fit - especially those that don't fit your pricing structure.
• Don’t run faster. Build better systems. 

Tools that help:

• Canva: For branded marketing templates that look pro even if you’re DIYing.
• Flodesk or ConvertKit: Email marketing to stay in front of clients and referrals.

Ask yourself every week:

“What would the CEO of a million-dollar staging company focus on today?”

Then do that.

Final Thought: Start Running Your Business Like It Deserves to Win

Your business deserves more than just your talent—it deserves your leadership. When you add structure, tools, and systems to your creativity, you stop spinning your wheels and start gaining traction.

You don’t need to do everything at once. Start by picking one of the tools above and build from there.

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress and balance.