Meet Home Staging Certification Graduate
Marzena Leszczyk!
Mississauga, Ontario
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hello, my name is Marzena (pronounced “Mah-ZHE-nah”). My friends, however, call me Marzy. I have a home staging certification and a Feng Shui certification as well. I’m currently also working towards my professional organizing certification, too!
I was born in Poland. The early 90s was a great change for my family, as we moved across the sea to Toronto, Canada. Currently, I reside in the Greater Toronto Area and have been studying design since 2007.
I have an advanced diploma in Graphic Design under my belt, as well as a certificate in Interior Decorating & Redesigning from Ultimate Academy. I’m passionate about learning and cultivating both design and Feng Shui into my own life. I also enjoy calligraphy and photography!
How did you get into the world of professional design?
I got into the world of professional design when I enrolled and studied Graphic Design at Seneca College in Toronto, Canada. During my college years, I learned Adobe programs, such as Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Graphic design has taught me how create visual content to communicate visual messages.
The following years led me to the medical field, where I currently work as a medical/technician receptionist. My current job role gave me the chance to gain interpersonal, customer service, and listening skills. However, I still felt like I wanted to pursue some form of design… I just didn’t know what.
That is, until I found an ad online. After several weeks of contemplating, I applied and attended an interior decorating workshop near my home. As a kid, I always enjoyed watching home decorating shows like, “Debbie Travis’s – The Painted House“. My dad is really the one behind the inspiration because he’s been a talented marble tiles man for many years (along with other handy skills). So growing up, I was always surrounded by renovations and visiting my dad at his several construction jobs.
Now here I am, with years of experience, embarking on a new journey!
Why do you feel that getting professionally trained and certified is so important as a designer?
I believe it’s important to become professionally trained because every student needs a good teacher. A design tutor should be someone who has years of experience in the business. This way, they can can offer constructive critiques – along with their own input – on each assignment.
Moreover, when you get professional training, you’re given all sorts of assignments that serve as great training tools. They are created specifically for students to gain knowledge and exposure to different scenarios and tasks. As a result, students will be prepared to successfully implement their design services when they work with paying clients. Most importantly, clients will be a lot more likely to hire designers with a proper background in professional design training.
Why did you choose to pursue your home staging certification – as well as the certifications for all your other courses – online, as opposed to in-person?
I chose to pursue my home staging certification online because I am self-motivated enough to work independently. Plus, online training gives me the ability work at my own pace. Other benefits include:
- You can save money on gas and avoid traffic, since there’s no travel required!
- No early wakeups in order to attend a class!
- You have the freedom to work from the comfort of your own home!
How did you hear about QC Design School? Ultimately, what made you decide to enroll in QC’s home staging certification course?
I saw QC Design School‘s ad on Instagram. Not long after, I looked up their official website and read all of the positive reviews. I remember it was on my birthday (or couple days after) that I decided to enroll with QC. After all, what did I have to lose? I wanted to gain knowledge in home staging, Feng Shui, and professional organizing. QC would provide me with all of this at a really good cost!
You’ve since graduated from the Feng Shui Course. Tell us a little about why you’re interested in Feng Shui design and what your career goals are!
I was always interested in the spiritual/energy part of life. My personal beliefs align with teachings of Feng Shui. I felt like I was part of a group of likeminded individuals, since there are skeptical individuals who may not believe in Feng Shui. However, I believe that once Feng Shui is passed down and people hear all of the benefits it provides, they’ll be a lot more open to the experience.
From the start, my plan was to combine Feng Shui with a professional organizing and home staging certification. These services would all be incorporated together, both in terms of my business and my personal life. I feel the more I delve into this field of design, the more I realize just how many benefits it provides for me and my friends. In turn, this has positively helped us all to shift our energies.
Ultimately, my goal is to promote Feng Shui into people’s lives. Over time, a domino effect will reach our communities. As a result, we’ll all be able to live a healthy, balanced, joyful, and peaceful life.
You’ve also earned a home staging certification through QC Design School. How do you feel this additional skill-set will better your design business, attract more clientele, and help you stand out from your competitors?
The more professional training and knowledge I gain in my field, the more versatile and well-rounded I appear to potential clients. I’m able to provide services for clients who need help selling their home, while also incorporating Feng Shui design. As such, I can enhance positive energy to attract potential buyers for a home to sell quicker.
I want to help my clients sell their homes. At the same time, I also want to help them enhance their love life, career, finances, and/or wellbeing. To me, combining Feng Shui with my home staging certification arms me with a wonderful skill-set to enhance clients’ lives.
Currently, you’ve just started working through out Professional Organizing Course. What are the most important lessons you hope to learn from this program?
I was interested enrolling in QC’s Professional Organizing Course because growing up, I noticed how clutter can cause tension amongst family members. You hear comments like, “Where is my favorite shirt?” or “I can’t find my keys!” These comments can go on like a merry-go-round. The most important lesson I know I’ll learn is mastering great organizing methods. From there, I can then form good organizing habits in my own life. Furthermore, I’ll be able to inspire others to do the same, while also maintaining a clutter-free living space.
Do you currently have your own design business? If so, tell us about it! If not, what are your career ambitions at this time?
At this time, I’m currently working on my Professional Organizing Course, as well as brainstorming on the aesthetic look of my business logo and website. At this time, my goals are to first build a foundation for my business and properly prepare myself before I market my brand to the public.
Many of QC Design School’s courses come with optional business training. In your opinion, why should ALL aspiring designers take advantage of this comprehensive business training?
Taking the optional business training is important because it helps you go through the important steps in marketing your business! Fir example, who are your competitors? How will you market your business? These are important questions to brainstorm before getting a new design business off the ground!
Without a business plan, you have no clear direction. By taking advantage of the business unit in your course, you’ll understand how to set a clear direction for your brand and goals. In fact, one of the reasons I just enrolled in the Virtual Design Training Course is so I can continue gaining business knowledge. In doing so, I’ll not only be able to help my clients in-person – I’ll be able to work with them remotely, too!
How valuable was your tutor feedback when obtaining both your Feng Shui and home staging certification? How did it help you grow as a designer?
My tutor for these 2 programs was Ivy Ellerby, and I thoroughly enjoyed her feedback! She articulately covered areas in my unit where I’d missed minor details or overlooked a design solution. Learning from my mistakes makes me an even more valuable designer!
Not to mention, my assignments were being viewed and marked by a professional designer, with years of experience. That gave me confidence that I was being mentored by the best. When Ivy acknowledged my strengths and the fact that I was ready to share my skills with clients, it meant that much more to me!
What has been your favorite course assignment to date and why?
My favorite assignment was in Unit B of my Feng Shui Course. This was the longest and most challenging unit! However, I thoroughly enjoyed drawing the Bagua Map over floorplans. It was interesting for me to learn which area of a room, desk, or property needs balance in order to improve Ch’i flow.
Furthermore, I learned about different cures that can enhance a certain area of a room. You also do this by using the Bagua Map, which was very intriguing to me. After learning this, I applied the Bagua Map to my own bedroom! I re-arranged my belongings, removed old items, and added new furniture. All of this was done to enhance Ch’i energy. I’ve definitely felt a more serene energy in my bedroom ever since!
What is the #1 reason you’d recommend QC Design School to those wanting to earn their home staging certification (or pursue a design career in general)?
I recommend QC Design School for anyone who likes to work at their own pace. QC’s courses have no deadlines! Moreover, this level of freedom provides the flexibility needed to balance work, home, and a social life while still pursuing your dream career.
Not to mention, the Student Help Centre is only ever a click away. There, you can get whatever assistance you may need on your assignments. Lastly, I recommend QC because it’s the smartest choice financially. I was able to pursue my desire by learning new skills, so I can someday turn it into a business… and I did it all without breaking the bank!
What has been the most gratifying moment of your career so far?
The most gratifying moment in my career so far has been earning my Feng Shui and home staging certifications. It was a long journey, and I’m proud of myself for continuing to be self-reliant and tenacious in finishing my program! I continue on this path as I work through my Professional Organizing Course. Most of all, I’m satisfied that I never give up on myself!
Finally: a genie gives you a crystal ball and allows you to see 5 years into the future. Ideally, where do you see your home staging / design career at that time?
As I slowly work and plan my next step in preparing the business side of my career, I hope to see the fruits of my labor. I hope to continue to maintain a stable career in 5 years’ time. After all, today’s preparation leads to tomorrow’s dreams!
I liked it a lot and I thought it was interesting your story and your way here! I wish all the success in the world and lots of light on this road!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Fernanda, we’re sure that Marzy will really appreciate them! <3
All the best,
The QC Team
Nice to meet you! Good luck with your learning process and business ventures in the future!
I liked reading about a fellow graduate’s journey and insight on QC Design School! Great article!
Congratulations!! Looking forward to seeing your business grow!!
We’re very excited for that, too! It’s always so exciting for us to be able to watch our students grow into graduates, then grow into design industry pioneers! <3
All the best,
The QC Team