Julia Machado
Home Staging & Styling
CSE STUDY
Julia Machado is an independent Home Stager and Stylist who started her business in mid-2023 and went from zero to fully booked within less than a year. Here's her story.
Julia moved to Canada in 2019, leaving behind a 12-year career in tourism. The onset of COVID-19 made it difficult for her to return to the tourism industry. Despite also holding a degree in Interior Design, Julia never worked as a designer, but started using her knowledge and skills in the field to help friends in Vancouver with small projects while working in retail.
What started as a hobby quickly gained traction, with rave reviews encouraging her to pursue it as a business. With the support of her husband and friends, Julia decided to give this passion a shot.
Here's what happened next...
indset & Business
Before Mastermind:
In March 2023, Julia quit her retail job to focus full-time on her new venture and, as with any new business owner, she faced significant challenges as she attempted to build her business.
"I didn't know what next steps to take, I was feeling completely lonely and lost. I would spend more than 8 hours a day in front of the computer creating posts for Instagram and learning to use Canva, without seeing much results.
And that loneliness - who will I speak to about business if I don't have any entrepreneurs in my circle? You talk to your friends, but most of them don't have a business background either. I was feeling stuck and lost.
I suffered because I felt like I needed to be ready from day one, but just having an interior design degree didn't mean I would know how to run a business. It was hard that I couldn't help financially in my household, I couldn't close clients - which made me think that I was terrible at client relations/ prospecting/ sales/ etc. Many layers to show me that I wasn't doing things right and that affected my self-esteem as well. I needed support."
Julia was concerned with the investment to join a coaching program while not making enough revenue from the business yet, but with the support of her husband, she decided to go all-in in the hopes that the program would support her to grow faster, so she could close more clients and have more consistent income. And that's exactly what happened:
"I got new projects while still in the program, which allowed me to pay for the full mastermind course before it even ended".
Julia Machado
Shifts & Transformtions
During Mastermind:
Joining the Mastermind program was a game-changer for Julia. She entered with the goal of breaking free from limiting beliefs, connecting with others on similar journeys, and achieving a more predictable income. She also sought to create a work-life balance that would allow her to enjoy time with loved ones.
With the program’s guidance, Julia’s business began to thrive. She went from earning under $1,000 per month to consistently bringing in $5k+ per month, which is more than double her original goals. The program also helped her build confidence and let go of self-imposed limitations.
"I used to limit myself to working with clients who had lower budgets because I didn’t think I was good enough to serve high-end clients, but now, I understand that I am capable of handling larger projects and I'm doing it.
Everything I did during the Mastermind prepared me for what is happening now so I have the foundation and confidence to sustain it. Today, I am much more confident, more capable, and I'm very proud of the projects I work on."
"Today I can pick which projects spark my interest to work with, because my agenda is so full, I can't take on all the demand I get.
I had to refuse more than six clients over the past few months, as my next availability is 3 months from now. I never imagined in a million years that I would have to say no to a client project!".
Julia Machado
Embodying her Highest Self!
After Mastermind:
Today, Julia’s business is flourishing. In addition to building predictable income and surpassing her financial goals, she has a packed schedule and can choose the projects she wants to work on.
She's also spending less time doing admin work and more time on the things she loves: "I barely spend any time creating Instagram content anymore, most of my time is spent delivering client work, and networking and referrals have become my greatest sources of revenue."
One of Julia’s proudest moments came when she successfully staged a penthouse valued at $1.5 million, which sold within 24 hours. "The before and after was stunning, and it attracted a lot of attention. It was one of my favorite stagings!" she beams. While she started staging homes valued around $600k, today she has staged homes valued upwards of $3.2M.
Julia has also expanded her network, now working with at least four realtors who keep her busy with consistent clients every month. Additionally, she has been invited to speak at events about decor and the importance of the home in well-being and health—an opportunity that led to securing multiple new clients from a single presentation.
TANGIBLE RESULTS
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TANGIBLE RESULTS ✴︎
The main transformations that Julia experienced during and after the Business Builder Mastermind:
Went from under $1k/ month to consistent $5k+ months
Closed enough business to be able to pay for the Mastermind in full before the program ended
She is now booking new clients 3 months in advance!
Is selecting the projects she'd like to work on due to high demand
Traded hours of Instagram content creation everyday to strategies that bring better results
"It's incredible to see how far I've come just one year after the Mastermind. I used to think, 'Wow, it will be amazing when I achieve this, maybe in 3-5 years.' But no—it’s happening right now!
Final Takeaways
Julia’s journey is a testament to the power of community, guidance, and perseverance. Her advice to other women entrepreneurs is simple: "If you are open to learning and willing to put yourself in the position of a student, you won’t feel alone. You will be guided, and you will build strong roots for your business. A well-built foundation will guarantee results in the end."
Julia Machado’s story is one of transformation, growth, and the power of investing in oneself. Her journey from uncertainty to success serves as an inspiration to anyone looking to turn their passion into a thriving business.
“If I hadn’t done this work, I wouldn’t have the confidence to take on the projects I do today. Sometimes, we don’t know what’s coming, but if we keep putting in the work, our future selves will thank us."
The best way to predict the
future is to create it.
If you’re ready to gain clarity, strengthen your mindset, and take inspired action towards building the life of your dreams, get in touch today!