about
ME
Hey there, new friend. I am so happy you have landed here. I am Courtney Vandendaele. Pronounced Van-den-dayl, but that silly little extra "e" seems to throw everyone off.
I am the founder of The Persnickety Co., as well as a real estate agent with The Collective at Compass Realty in Kansas City. I believe in standing out, doing things differently than the status quo, and helping make people's lives better in the process of it all. Read a snippet of my story below.
the kansas city home stager behind the grand debut
My Story
Fashion has always been a part of my life. As an introverted and introspective person, I learned early on that the clothing choices I made for the day greatly affected how I felt and moved throughout my day. I believed in the power of fashion so much that I went on to get a Fashion Merchandising degree from the University of Missouri.
After college, I was a visual manager for the Abercrombie/Hollister Company. Despite their *questionable* recruitment tactics back in the day, I absolutely loved setting up the visuals and learned so much about business management and customer service.
When my daughter was born, I decided to stay at home with her. While at home for 8 years raising my two littles, I discovered my passion for interiors. I realized that I was not only good at decorating, but as I began making changes to my home, my mindset also began to shift. I put two and two together pretty quickly and realized that our homes, like fashion, also have a huge impact on how we feel and move throughout our days.
My Why
I received my real estate license in 2018 while preparing for my youngest to go to school. After about a year, my ambitious self decided to open a home goods store to use in conjunction with my real estate business. I opened my doors in December 2019, a mere 3 months before the world as we knew it collapsed. For 4 years, I was constantly spinning my wheels to try to make it work during unprecedented times (I know, we are all tired of that word), but ultimately I succumbed to the burnout and I decided to close my doors.
While operating that first store, however, I had signed up for a high-level business course. During my very first meeting with my coach, she asked me what my "why" is. I never really understood how to figure out my "why" before then, so I told her it was to make money so that I could help with the finances and retire my husband. She said, "That's sweet, but really, why do you feel so passionately about this business?" After a long, awkward pause, the word vomit suddenly spewed out: "Because it all matters. Our homes, what we choose to wear, it all matters. I want all women to know how amazing it feels when we decide to show up every day for ourselves. I want them to know how much of an impact our surroundings have on our self-worth and confidence." She just smiled and said, "That's it." She knew all along, she just needed me to figure it out for myself. And since that time, I have never viewed any of my endeavors as just making money for my family, but my mission to help others in my own "Courtney" way.
My Staging Method
I have never been one to just blend in and do what everyone else is doing, and staging is no exception. After all my years of observing other stagers, I have noticed some trends. Some rely on the same beige, catalog-pull furniture in every home, never adjusting for the space or the buyer. Others skip the strategy entirely and just fill rooms. I see how staging often feels generic and bland. The truth is, though, that a good stager earns every penny of their fee, and is a valuable investment when selling your home.
My method comes from somewhere most stagers haven't been: a Fashion Merchandising degree, years as a visual manager, and the owner of my own shop. I've spent my career learning that the right piece, in the right place, changes how a whole space feels. I bring that instinct to every home I stage. I am persnickety, because it matters. And as a stager who also has a real estate license, I understand the current market and what makes homes sell.
What is involved in the process? So glad you asked! Click the button below to read about my staging services and pricing.
other
RANDOM
facts
what I'm known as
tastemaker
weekend indulgence
brunch
KNOWN TO SPLURGE ON
vacations
MY FAVORITE
PLACE TO HOLIDAY
mountains
ALWAYS ORDER ME
truffle fries
ENTIRELY UNDERRATED
aloe vera
Whether you are ready to book, or have questions, I am just a message away.
Click below to get started.