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
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 106: From Teacher to Investor to Home Stager
In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I talk with Andrea Bryant of Staged Right in Tampa, Florida. Andrea has been involved with most facets of real estate over the past 20 years from rehabbing to real estate sales and now home staging.
Episode 105: How Yoga Impacts Your Life and Business
In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I talk with Donna Morrin. Donna is a 500 hour certified yoga instructor trained in the Tantra lineage, and holds additional certifications in meditation instruction and somatic therapeutic techniques. Donna travels around New England teaching people how to get back into their bodies and find peace in the chaos.
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In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I talk with Ashley Rapp. Ashley is the Owner of HELLO! Staging+Organizing and an Accredited Staging Professional as well as an Expert Organizer. Ashley helps potential buyers envision themselves living in the home repurposing what the client already has while also removing the excess items that overwhelm the space.
Episode 103: Musings on Marketing and Selling
In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I discuss my thoughts and strategies for marketing or “selling” your Home Staging or Design services.
Episode 102: Business is an Inner Game Job
In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I discuss why inner game alignment is always the foundation for business success. When you are growing your business you must grow as a person.
Episode 101: Get Great Results with Staging Consultations
In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I discuss how I get great results for my Sellers with my staging consultations. Most of my consultations are paid for by Agents who refer me over and over again.
Episode 100: Reflections on The Dance of Life and Business
In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I reflect on both the good and bad in life and business since my husband died in March 2022. It’s been a challenging year and yet I have grown personally and professionally in so many ways and I want to share with you what resilience looks like for me.
Episode 99: The Key to Profitability for Interior Designers
In my latest podcast episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I interview Nancy Ganzekaufer. Nancy is a sought-after Interior Design Coach, Certified Body Language Training Professional, Keynote Speaker and Author.
Episode 98: How I Get Over 95% of my Business from Agent Referrals
In this episode I talk about how I built my staging business, since 2005, by getting over 95% of my business from Real Estate Agent Referrals.
Episode 97: The Social Savvy Stager
Welcome to episode #97 of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire. In this episode I interview Heather Cook, a multi-award-winning Home Stager with over a decade of experience in building and running one of the most successful Home Staging companies in Canada.
Episode 96: Running an LA Home Staging Business
Welcome to episode #96 of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire. In this episode I interview Robin DeCapua,a home staging specialist with over a decade of experience.
Episode 95: Create a Business That is in Alignment with Your Core Values
In this episode I interview Dawn Drew, a successful business owner and entrepreneur in Raleigh, NC. As a Home Stager, Designer, House-Flipper, and NC Real Estate Agent, Dawn’s commitment has always been to personal growth, her own and those around her.
Episode 94: Business Productivity Consultant
Check out my latest episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire. In this episode I talk with Shanice Miller, a Business Productivity Consultant with Taskly Group
Episode 93: Cape Cod Designer and Stager on Work Life Balance
Welcome to episode #93 of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire. Donel Beals has been one of my coaching clients for 5 years and has built a thriving Staging/Design business on Cape Cod.
Episode 92: Team Collaboration Business Model- Staging Company
In this episode I interview Monica Murphy of Preferred Staging serving Northern Virginia, Washington DC and suburban Maryland.
Episode 91: Designing Model Apartments
Jodie started her staging business in 2017 and has pivoted into residential and commercial design targeting multi family property management groups. Her specialty is providing luxurious model apartments, working community areas as well as outdoor rooftop lounges and leasing offices.
Episode 90: How to Win the Business of RE Agents and Broker/Owners
In this episode I interview Jennifer Mello, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Real Estate Broker and owner of the Mello Group. Jenn has been a well respected, top performing agent since 2005.
Episode 89: Leading a Fulfilled Life and Business
A fulfilled life is sometimes described as being perfectly alive, filled with purpose and satisfaction, involving vision and requiring intensive alignment with what you value most—a highly meaningful life. And a highly meaningful life means something different for everyone
Episode 88: Concierge Home Staging, Estate Sale, and Real Estate Business
In this episode I am delighted to talk with Tracy Molendi. Tracy started her business as a Professional Organizer. She then added Staging Services, Design work, Senior Downsizing, Estate Sales, and a Retail Store to her menu of services.
Episode 87: Year Long Design Job on the Coast of Maine
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to do a really large design job from soup to nuts? In this episode Debbe Daley dishes on what it was like for her, the trials and tribulations of taking on a project this large in scope.
