We had the good fortune of connecting with Christine Masur and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
Often we entrepreneurs are taught to “say ‘yes’ to any opportunity!”. I challenge this advice and feel the true lesson to learn is when to say ‘no!’. When I first began our company I did take the “say ‘yes’” advice and never turned down a project. In the beginning I was so eager to build my reputation, to please people, to gain clients, to make as much money as I could and I felt this was accomplished by never saying ‘no’ to an opportunity. That lasted only a few years and I began to already feel a bit burned out, a loss of joy in my work, and felt like I was working to please others at my own expense. It took the sudden death of my mom to really jolt me into a deep dive look at what I was spending my time doing and why. Fast forward and after years of building my self confidence I often say ‘no’ to projects that come my way that for whatever reason do not fit into my schedule, my scope of work, or client profile. I know now that saying ‘no’ to the wrong project for me, will undoubtedly open up the space for the right ‘yes’ to come along. So do not live in fear of saying ‘no’ to the opportunities that while you are grateful for them to come your way, just aren’t the right fit in the moment. Your ‘yes’ will come!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Nest Home Staging + Design is owned and operated by myself along with my business partner, Jamie. Jamie and I started out as neighbors, became fast friends and are now successful business partners. Our shared love for home design, keen business sense and combined years of experience in the areas of sales, fashion, art, event planning, interior design, marketing, and customer service make us a powerhouse team!

I have been a designer since my earliest memories of my childhood attentiveness to my bedroom style and affectionate arrangement of my stuffed animal collection! Fast forward through life, I have always been a design hobbyist inside my homes and outside in my gardens-I am passionate about how spaces look and equally important-how they feel, always striving to tell mine and my family’s story through our home.

The leap into entrepreneurship and co-owning Nest Home Staging + Design, has given me the more formal and credible platform to support clients with their staging and design projects. I believe my strong foundation of business with an emphasis on marketing and management infused with my enthusiasm for design, provides me the decisive skills to avail myself to my clients for all their design needs!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have some fav spots around Cincinnati for sure! I love to show visitors our river front and taking a walk along Serpentine Wall is a great way to start seeing the city and the amazing Roebling Suspension Bridge. I also love sharing OTR and Findlay Market along with awesome shops in town like High Street and MICA 12/v, Sites to hit for visitors should include the Krohn Conservatory and a walk through Eden Park, the Museum Center, the Freedom Center, Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, and the Cincinnati Nature Center. Outside of town and off the beaten path, I love a trip to JungleJim’s-always fun when first-timers use the bathroom;), Liberty Farm Market, Garver Farm, and Niederman Farm for their annual Fall Festival in October. Too many yummy places to eat to mention but do not miss out on eating at Eli’s BBQ, Pepp and Delores, Fireside Pizza, Delwood, Putz’s Ice Cream, The Rootbeer Stand, and of course, Graeter’s!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without hesitation, I owe my business success equally to my mom and to my husband, Paul. I come from a long family lineage of entrepreneurs. From a great grandmother who was a bootlegger, to a grandfather who owned real estate and restaurants, to my mom who owned a jewelry business for over 30 years. Owning a business is in my blood and coupled with my degree in Business, starting one only came naturally! And while desire and innate qualities play a big role in having the courage to start a business, it is only with the love and encouragement from and partnership with my husband Paul that I could actually do it! Paul has always been one of my biggest fans and has helped me in so many ways-always ready to lend a helping hand and a listening ear. As an entrepreneur himself, Paul has a lot of life experience to share and his support is priceless to me.

Website: Www.nesthomestaging.com

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