Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Werner Berger, the oldest North American to have climbed all Seven Summits. He stood on top of Mount Everest at the age of 70!

"Werner, how long does it really take for someone to enact a change in their behavior?" I say, wondering if it'll be the 21 days one usually hears about or what.

"Well, actually, the single biggest mistake people make is trying to do it all at once. When I climbed Everest, it took weeks, not because of the distance, but in order to get our bodies used to the change in altitude, so that we could make the final assault."

He says they trek to Base Camp and sleep there a while. Then they go to level 1, sleep overnight and go back to Base. The next time up, they'll maybe do 1 and 2 but will then return. Only after a while, when in peak physical condition, well acclimated, will they make the push to go all the way. They climb the final stretch at night-an amazing dawn greets them at the TOP.

What a great metaphor for anyone trying to get in shape, learn a new way of eating, grow from a one-man consultant/salesperson to the leader of a multi-million-dollar producing team! And for stagers, in particular, as a new industry. We will grow. We will gain recognition and credibility. Our fees will be where they need to be to make a living in this profession. But we will need to take small steps and acclimate to each change in altitude.

There will always be people who "break out" of the pack, and who try to take a run at the top, individually. We must support them, encourage them, and recognize that they are (intentionally or not) preparing the way for all who come after. No one person gets there without sherpas, guides and inspiration.

As an industry, we need to stop the in-fighting: the squabbling about who's trained and who isn't. We need to recognize those we anoint as our leaders and offer them our support, our encouragement and enthusiasm. All those of you who wonder what gives Kate Hart the right to anoint Select Stagers, or speak for us as an industry, should realize that we voted her Stager of the Year. We created her platform for Home Goods, (et al) and we empowered her. And we were right to do so.

We all have long appreciated her style, her skill and her voice. It is churlish therefore for anyone NOT to go over to Home Goods' website and comment on her blog. Wish her well. And when it's your turn to be Guest Blogger, we all will do it for you, too.

Anyone who has an idea for a better, simpler, sleeker way to build a staging business... bring it on. Bring it in small steps, that we can try on, acclimate to and master. Let us grow, individually and together. Let us Meet at the Top, and let us help one another... every step of the way.