Ever wonder what to focus on in each stage of growing your business—and what pitfalls to avoid along the way?

In this episode, I talk with Grant Findlay Shirras, a serial entrepreneur and business strategist who’s mastered the art of scaling creative companies profitably and sustainably.

Grant is the co-owner of Dekora, a top staging and design company in Calgary and Kelowna, where he grew revenue by 50% and profit by $200K in just one year.

Before Dekora, he built Parkbench.com into a $37 million real estate marketing platform serving over 8,000 agents ,and helped expand Fitness on the Go into Canada’s largest mobile fitness franchise.

Known for simplifying the complex, Grant brings deep expertise in financial systems, pricing strategy, operations, and leadership—helping creative founders turn chaos into clarity and creativity into cash flow.

He is also a national tennis champion, award-winning speaker, and passionate advocate for building businesses that create both freedom and fulfillment.

Listen to the podcast below or subscribe on Apple, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.

In this episode you’ll learn:

What to focus on (and look out for) in the early phases of business growth

What masterminding with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs taught Grant about mindset shifts that defy logic

Why profit isn’t the first thing to chase—and what to prioritize instead

The daily habits that keep Grant on track and making smart, quick decisions

How to think through your first hire (and 3 questions to ask yourself before you make it)

The surprising insight Grant uncovered about outsourcing sales

Xo Marianne

Complimentary Discovery Session

Do you want to grow your Home Staging Business but feel stuck?
 
Are your marketing efforts producing crickets?
 
Would you like to learn simple ways to get Real Estate Agents to refer you over and over again?
 
If you’re ready to take your business from sporadic staging jobs to a successful staging company that supports the lifestyle you want, let’s talk.
 
 

Together we will clarify your goals, uncover challenges that are preventing you from reaching those goals and discuss coaching options to help you create a life and business that is on fire! 🔥🔥🔥

 

I would love your review! If you enjoy what I share in this episode, please leave a review and comment on iTunes. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Connect with Grant:

Website – www.dekora.com

Instagram- @grantfindlayshirras

@dekorastaging

Book- 10 x is Easeier than 2x– Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Connect with Marianne:

Set up a coaching discovery session to see if coaching is right for you.

Website: https://coachingbymarianne.com

Instagram: @homestagercoachmarianne

You Tube Channel-https://www.youtube.com/@homestagersanddesignersonfire

Join my FB Group: Fire Up Your Home Staging Business: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fireupyourhomestagingbusiness/

FB Group: Design for Today Collaborative- https://www.facebook.com/groups/DesignForTodayCollaborative

Visit my FB Coaching Page: https://www.facebook.com/CoachingByMarianneCherico/

Join my LinkedIn Group: Interior Redesign, Decorating and Real Estate Staging Professionals here

 

Episode 146: Build Your Seven-Figure Staging Business

Episode 146: Build Your Seven-Figure Staging Business

In this podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire, I talk with Natalie Lorenz. Natalie is an award-winning staging and design expert, speaker, and TV contributor, with features on NBC, CBS, Elle Décor, and more. As the former CEO of Decorus Home Staging,...

read more
Episode 144: The Evolution of a Chicago Home Stager

Episode 144: The Evolution of a Chicago Home Stager

In this podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire, I interview David Cieslak, owner of Signature Staging, a boutique luxury staging company. David’s business has evolved through the years and he talks about what he has learned through the trials and...

read more
Episode 142: Optimize Your Website to Attract Customers

Episode 142: Optimize Your Website to Attract Customers

In my latest Home Stagers and Designers on Fire podcast episode, I chat with Heather Cook of Social Savvy Stager. Heather is a multi-award-winning stager with over a decade of success in Canada’s staging industry. Now, through The Social Stager, she helps stagers...

read more
Episode 141: Building a Solid Staging Team Culture

Episode 141: Building a Solid Staging Team Culture

In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire, I talk with Alisa Sparks. In 2017, Alisa founded "Linden Creek Home Staging," where her financial acumen and attention to detail seamlessly transitioned from corporate into the world of interior...

read more
Episode 140: Hot Design Trends 2025

Episode 140: Hot Design Trends 2025

In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire, I talk with Debbe Daley of Debbe Daley Designs. With over 40 years of experience in the interior home industry, Debbe is also a published author and president of the New England Chapter of IDS. She...

read more
Episode 134: From Banking Career to Staging and Design Dynamo

Episode 134: From Banking Career to Staging and Design Dynamo

In this episode I talk with Red Barrinuevo, owner of Redesign4more in Toronto. Known for his transformative approach to home design, and a passion for elevating spaces, Red's work goes beyond aesthetics. His thoughtful and innovative designs have not only enhanced the...

read more
Episode 133: Financing Staging Inventory

Episode 133: Financing Staging Inventory

In this episode I talk with Rod Basconcillo, president of R&R Financial... Since 2017 Rod has been serving the Home Staging Industry, providing financing solutions for his clients. ​Listen to the podcast below or subscribe on ​Apple​, ​Spotify​ and most major...

read more
Episode 132: Million Dollar Stager

Episode 132: Million Dollar Stager

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a million dollar stager? Well you’ll get all the “inside skinny” in my latest podcast episode. Listen in as Michelle Minch of Moving Mountains Design talks about how she built her LA staging company. ​Listen to the podcast...

read more
Episode 130: Takeaways from RESACON 2024

Episode 130: Takeaways from RESACON 2024

In this episode I talk about the numerous takeaways from attending (and sponsoring) RESACON 2024. Even though I have been in the staging business since 2005, I am always excited to learn from others and share with my coaching clients and listeners.

read more
Episode 129: Get Top Dollar for Your Staging Business

Episode 129: Get Top Dollar for Your Staging Business

​In this episode I interview Steven Denny, a partner at Innovative Business Advisors and the coauthor of the book You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know This book details the steps to take in order to build a profitable Home Staging business and one that has a strategic...

read more
Episode 128: Success and The Business Building Journey

Episode 128: Success and The Business Building Journey

​What does success mean to you? Are you looking to build a 7 figure business with a team? Or are you happy keeping things small and simple and making enough money to travel and do the things that tug at your heart? Success means different things to different people...

read more
Episode 127: Pinterest as a Marketing Strategy

Episode 127: Pinterest as a Marketing Strategy

Have you ever thought of how you might drive more traffic to your website? Do you think of Pinterest as a tool to create boards and that is it? In this episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire, I interview Heather Cook of The Social Stager and we do a deep dive...

read more