Have you ever considered how a simple coffee meeting could spark a successful business? It might seem unlikely, but that's exactly what happened to Barnaby Decam from Leading Image. During our conversation with Barnaby, the co-founder and owner of Leading Image and one of the first iGUIDE operators, he recounted how a random coffee encounter turned into a golden opportunity.
Let's take a closer look at how this fortunate event became the cornerstone of a thriving business, propelling his career forward. It's a story full of motivation and entrepreneurial zest.
Initial challenge
Barnaby had just moved from London, England, in 2014 and was having limited success landing work and clients as an interior photographer. With ten years of experience working for the largest real estate agency in the UK, he knew his skills weren’t holding him back.
He was actively networking, taking on small jobs, and responding to job postings to build his career, but he just couldn’t find a way to break into the market. He was baffled: There were approximately 38,000 realtors in the Greater Toronto Area. How could he find his niche?
Discovering a solution
When Barnaby sat down with the founders of iGUIDE in 2015, he had no idea it would be the break he sought. The iGUIDE team was gaining momentum with their services and they were recruiting local photographers to become operators.
A key part of their success was recruiting local talent to help grow iGUIDE, which subsequently meant helping recruits build their businesses.
The founding team worked with Barnaby to develop his business model, from his website to pitching clients. “The iGUIDE Team helped us every step of the way. We loved that it was a hands-on operation,” says Barnaby. “Everyone worked tirelessly to build the business. The team supported us in approaching brokerages and even showed us how to contact people to book meetings and sell the service.”
“We started to see success. Realtors were and still are looking for a way to stand out and attract more leads. iGUIDE proved great for their business, and we started seeing success. With iGUIDE technology, Realtors don't just use it to sell a property, they use it to win the next listing.”
Seeing the benefits
Standing out from the crowd
The ability to stand out has a direct impact on your bottom line. Once you understand your target audience, you need to capture their attention.
“iGUIDE has helped us grow from strength to strength and allowed us to host all the other services we offer from video, drone photography, virtual staging, printing and truly making us a comprehensive all-in-one solution.”
Barnaby found a way to stand out and reach his audience with iGUIDE. It's a complete marketing tool for his clients with custom branding, iGUIDE Analytics, and the ability to integrate tours across web platforms.
iGUIDE Tour courtesy of Leading Image
Easy to integrate
iGUIDE has helped Barnaby’s business grow and integrates with a host of services he offers including video, drone photography and virtual staging. He sees it as a comprehensive, all-in-one solution.
“90% of properties we shoot start with an iGUIDE.”
Barnaby quickly pointed out the fast turn-around time for his files and highlighted how the iGUIDE tours are compatible with virtual staging software.
“It’s relatively easy to use, very cost effective compared to if a client stages a property.”
A comprehensive solution
By being part of the team from the beginning, Barnaby has watched the technology evolve to become the comprehensive system it is today.
“iGUIDE provides a comprehensive solution and the interface and user experience are second to none. It allows potential home buyers to quickly understand the key information without getting bogged down in the viewer software.”
After 10 years as an operator, he still finds it exciting. Showcasing his expertise has helped him become the go-to resource for his clients, and business is booming.
"If you're seriously searching for a house, you're not focused on the software—you just want the key facts, right? I think it does its job well by showing people exactly what they need to see... an accurate floor plan and easy-to-navigate 3D virtual tour, especially when they're quickly browsing through 20 listings on their lunch break."
Barnaby’s advice when you’re looking to start? Create a great client experience on your website and network. Practice talking about your services and start conversing with people in your network.
Want to add iGUIDE to your team’s toolbelt, too? Book a free virtual demo with an iGUIDE Specialist to see how it can help your photography business grow.