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An Adelaide home-staging business founded by a sixth-generation farming couple is gaining national recognition for its unique approach to business growth.
Established by husband and wife team Angus and Tiffany Murray in 2014, Dressed for Sale uses the combined talents of stylists and tradespeople to help owners present their homes for sale. In two years the company has styled over 760 homes and worked with more than 120 real estate agents. It was named as a finalist in the New Business category for the 2016 Telstra Business Awards.
The Murrays have turned to a franchise business model to identify opportunities in other capital cities. The move will be the first of its kind in the Australian home staging industry, which according to Ms Murray remains a “niche, cottage sector”.
“We chose to adopt a very deliberate corporate structure because it was apparent the franchise model had massive potential in such a niche industry,” Ms Murray said.
“The property market in every capital city is hugely competitive, as is the demand for professional styling services. But no one has really taken the leap into other states, and most businesses only operate in the city they’re based in,” she said.
“Like all businesses, we started small and have now built a platform to grow. We’re working towards franchise opportunities in other states and are really excited at the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The venture into the business world was a leap of faith for the Murrays, who had been farmers on a 6,000-acre wheat and sheep station near Hallett, South Australia, before moving to Adelaide. Leaving life on the land was not easy for the couple and their four children, but the family’s future took an unexpected turn when it came time to sell their Adelaide home.
“The property had been on the market for eight months with very little interest and we were really at a loss as to why,” Ms Murray said.
“We hired a new real estate agent, who advised us to consider styling the home. So we replaced the furniture, made a few other adjustments and within four weeks we’d received five offers, and eventually sold for $150,000 more than anyone expected us to get.
“The experience opened our eyes to the opportunities that exist in this industry, and it wasn’t long afterwards that Dressed for Sale was born.”
In addition to being nominated as a state finalist in the 2016 Telstra Business Awards, Dressed for Sale also took out the top prize in last year’s UberPITCH competition, judged by business personality Mark Bouris.
[Related: Top 5 styling tips for open homes this winter]
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