We’re looking forward to introducing you to Liz Baynard. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Liz, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up at 6AM and typically head directly to my desk or to our home gym… after a strong cup of coffee. I like to get in a quick workout and/or a head start on the day’s paperwork, emails, etc. before my kids are awake around 7:15. if I have time, I have a second cup of coffee on the porch in the quiet before the routine of preparing breakfast, packing school lunches, and getting ready for the day begins.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Liz Baynard. I am a wife and mother of two, former special education teacher turned home stager. I co-own Maxwell & Edison Interiors and I am fortunate to have built an incredible team since starting in the business in 2017, including my business partners who introduced me to the field and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime by suggesting I try staging listings with their real estate group. It has afforded me a chance to use my creativity, my love of decorating and organization, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to prioritize time with family and friends the way that working for yourself only can. We now own over 50 homes worth of inventory (furniture, art, accessories), a warehouse, 2 moving vans, and we are able to employ a phenomenal group of employees. We stage homes in the Baltimore area and help sellers get top dollar for their properties – delivering a competitively priced and stylish finished staging product for our clients and agent partners!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Like many women I know, I am inherently a people pleaser and that trait has been engrained in me since youth. As I enter my 40’s, I am realizing that this quality can be in direct opposition with having healthy boundaries and saying “no” when needed. The result of which is feeling overworked and stretched too thin, both on the job and at home. I am working hard to release the need to please others over meeting my own needs. It is uncomfortable at times, but I know that when I preserve my energy and enthusiasm for the things that really matter, my clients and my family and friends will get the best version of me.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
I’ve changed my mind about the fact that it’s OK to change your mind! I had very mixed feelings about being a career-changer because in some ways I felt that I was giving up on my first profession. I worried that my job was intrinsically tied to my identity and that it was the thing that defined me in the world. After having made a change, I’ve realized that it’s more important to be the very best at what you do regardless of what that thing is, and that it is entirely acceptable to have different chapters of your life or career without negating what you’ve accomplished in the past.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
There is a belief held by some in the staging industry that you have to be “certified” in some official capacity in order to be respected or qualified in the field. I am obviously a fan of education and think that attending a training course is a great option for those who choose it, but I am living proof that you can run a successful business without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on these type of courses. There is simply no substitute for learning on the job, and while a course or certification program might be a great first step for those who are interested in learning about the industry and don’t know where else to start, I don’t believe it should be a barrier to entry. I’d recommend shadowing an staging experienced team to see what the true day-to-day is actually like as the best first step to discovering if this is a career for you.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d give myself permission to step away from work completely outside of designated “business hours” and feel guilt free about spending my personal time on fun with friends and family, hobbies, health, and relaxation. While I hope to have many, many more than 10 years left, this is actually a goal I’m currently working towards!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maxwellandedison.com
- Instagram: @maxwellandedisoninteriors
- Facebook: Maxwell & Edison Interiors
Image Credits
Plum & Fern Photography
