As International Women’s Month draws to a close, we’d be remiss in not honoring our founder, Darla Rowley, who has been a leader and an inspiration for our entire team.
Impact is a women-owned-and-operated professional home staging and interior design company that Ms. Rowley founded 20 years ago with a single pick-up truck and a small storage unit. She has grown Impact Home Staging Experts into Michigan’s largest and most established home staging company, with a staff of 12, three warehouses filled with furnishings and décor, and a fleet of 5 trucks. But these aren’t the only aspects of the business that have driven our success.
Darla says, “We approach home staging as both an art and a science, using design and market data to create a staging strategy that sells your property for the highest possible price, for the best terms, and in the shortest amount of time. Our success rate speaks for itself, but you can also view the reviews from our clients who have reaped the benefits of our work. Nothing makes me more proud than reading these reviews, and knowing that my fantastic team is making that magic happen!”
Darla began her career at Kmart Corporation where she traveled to stores around the country as a merchandising professional. Staging is the art of “merchandising” a home for a quick and profitable sale. Combined with her skill in interior design, it was a logical extension of her talents to bring her merchandising expertise to the sale of a home.
Leader and Mentor
We asked our staff to tell us a little about what makes Darla successful and how she has helped them grow and flourish in their fields.
Tina Stratton, Business Development Manager, comments that “Darla is very goal driven and it has made me more goal driven.” Stager Erin Maher appreciates the way Darla “brings unique talent and strengths to the table that creates an impact on not only the women but also the men in the company.
Darla has had some significant health challenges over the last few years, and stager Lynne Baum says, “Despite all that is going on, her ability to establish and maintain her business, and keep our team motivated, continues to inspire me.”
Lead Stager Joan Martin adds “I find it so inspiring and impressive that she built this business on her own and it has become the largest staging company in Michigan. Michelle Malik, another stager, adds that “Darla serves as a role model for future generations, showing that success is not limited to gender but by the strength of one’s will and the depth of one’s dreams.”
Darla’s success has been driven by a dream and a lot of hard work. Interior Design Assistant Christy Michalec notes “From the back of a pickup truck and Darla alone–to full warehouses of beautiful furnishing and accessories, an amazing crew and a full fleet–Darla has managed to grow her business into the number one Staging company in Michigan.”
Ms. Rowley also strongly believes in giving back to the community.
“Having a positive impact on the community around us is something that everyone at Impact Home Staging feels strongly about. We are honored and proud to have been able to contribute to worthy and accountable Metro Detroit area charities, says Darla.
For over 10 years, the Impact team has we have eagerly accepted the opportunity to sponsor families in need who are transitioning from homelessness working with Humble Design. We’ve donated more than 50 brand new bunk beds and sofas, in addition to other needed items, says Ms. Martin. “Several times a year our team devotes their day to helping create an ideal home for a transitioning family. It’s a labor of love for all of us and something we look forward to each year. “
For the last several years Impact Home Staging has participated with Habitat for Humanity – Oakland through both the Home Builders Association and Women Build.
This combination of an incredible work ethic, a commitment to the community and Darla’s ability to build and nurture both her team and her dreams is what has built Impact into the top staging company in Michigan.
People want to work WITH Impact and people want to work FOR Impact. That is the best testament we can imagine!
