The Staging Insider

If you are building a home staging business, struggling with pricing your staging services, or wondering how to move from “doing it all yourself” to leading a real company, this episode is for you. In this conversation, host Felicia Pulley talks with Kishah Langham, RESA Texas State President and 2025 RESA Approved Instructor of the Year for Staging to Sell, What Every Agent Should Know. Kishah breaks down exactly how she built and scaled her staging company, how teaching agents has grown her business, and why understanding the business side of staging is non negotiable. You will hear how she went from: Real estate agent and bed and breakfast owner To interior styling and design To running a fast growing vacant staging business with warehouse space, staff, and multistate projects Kishah shares clear insight on stager training, mentorship, pricing, storage, inventory management, and warehouse decisions, along with her perspective on virtual staging and AI tools for consultations and reports. Key topics in this episode include: Why staging education for real estate agents grows your client base How to fill your Staging to Sell, What Every Agent Should Know CE classes Turning CE students into ongoing staging and consultation clients Structuring your services: consultations, occupied staging, vacant staging, and design Moving from garage storage and units to shared space and a dedicated warehouse Working with movers as your staging assistants Shifting to Zoom consultations and using AI to streamline reports How to price your staging work for profit instead of copying competitors The real cost of inventory, racks, warehouse overhead, and taxes Why mentorship, RESA® chapters, and community matter for long term success Kishah’s advice is direct and practical for anyone serious about running a profitable home staging business. As she says, “If you don’t know how to run a business, you’re not going to be here long.” If you are a: New home stager looking for guidance on pricing and setup Established staging company owner ready to scale with a warehouse and a team Real estate agent who wants to understand professional staging better Stager interested in RESA, leadership, or becoming an approved instructor you will take away concrete ideas you can apply to your own business. Subscribe for more conversations on staging systems, business models, pricing, leadership, and RESA® education and resources.

In this episode, Felicia Pulley sits down with Grant Findlay-Shirras to unpack what it really looks like to purchase an existing staging company, identify the operational gaps, and rebuild the business for growth. Grant shares why staging was the first industry that aligned both his business background and his wife Amanda’s design expertise, and how they approached due diligence, staffing, profitability, and marketing in their first year as owners of DEKORA Staging. This conversation is a practical roadmap for anyone considering buying a staging business, restructuring their current operation, or preparing for future sale. Grant offers candid insights on team management, warehouse systems, staying top-of-mind with agents, and the role community plays in shortening the learning curve for new owners. Whether you’re in your first year or your fifteenth, this episode brings clarity, perspective, and actionable takeaways you can apply immediately. Learn more about Grant and The Staging Insider Podcast: https://thestaginginsider.com/episode-8-grant-findlay-shirras-owner-of-dekora/

In this episode of The Staging Insider, Felicia Pulley sits down with Ohio stager and RESA Approved Instructor Addie Ashworth, founder of Ashworth Home. Addie shares how she entered the staging industry after being furloughed, how her background in real estate and professional training shaped the way she works, and what she wishes she had known when she first started.Addie talks openly about the early pricing mistakes that cost her money, the process of learning to communicate her value, and how she built sustainable systems as her business grew. She explains what she looks for when hiring, how she trains team members who do not have formal design experience, and how she transitioned from storage units to managing a warehouse. Her insights offer a clear picture of what practical, steady business growth looks like for most stagers in today’s market.Felicia and Addie also discuss the importance of belonging to your trade association, why RESA resources shorten the learning curve, and how national staging statistics help stagers better understand their market and guide business decisions.This episode is ideal for new and growing stagers, solo stagers preparing to hire, and anyone looking to strengthen the structure and confidence behind their staging business.Resources MentionedAshworth Home https://www.ashworthhomeco.com17hats (RESA Members Save) https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=304550&module_id=229337Staging Insider Episode with Ashley Provost https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0hx3wFl-hI&t=32sRESA National Statistics and Tracker https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/statistics

From Emmy-winning reporter to design industry icon, Cathy Hobbs brings her full story to The Staging Insider Podcast. In this can't-miss episode, host Felicia Pulley sits down with Cathy to talk about her brand-new book Home Design Recipes, her journey from the newsroom to the staging world, and the lessons she's learned while building one of NYC’s most respected design and staging businesses. This conversation is packed with gold for home stagers: ✅ How Cathy turned a side hustle into a full-fledged business ✅ Why she believes every stager is a salesperson (even if they don't want to admit it) ✅ The power of goal-setting and what it looks like at every stage of business ✅ How to network smarter at events like RESACON ✅ The real ROI of investing in your education and connections ✅ Why she still uses free tools like SCORE and public libraries Whether you're just getting started or managing a growing team, you'll walk away inspired and equipped with practical strategies for scaling and staying relevant in a fast-changing industry. Want to meet Cathy in person? Catch her live at RESACON this July: https://2025.resaconvention.com/interior-design-principles-home-staging/

In this episode of The Staging Insider, RESA® Creative Director Felicia Pulley sits down with Susie Passons, founder of SP Design in Minnesota, to talk about the real side of growing a staging business the right way.Susie shares how she navigated a surprise audit, transitioned from 1099 contractors to W-2 employees, and why having systems like payroll and bookkeeping in place protected her business. She also opens up about pricing mistakes, building her team, avoiding burnout, and what she’s learned from years of growing in the staging industry.Whether you're a new stager or a seasoned pro, this episode delivers valuable insights about running a legit, lasting business.⏱️ Key Moments: 00:00 – Intro & Susie’s background 04:26 – Corporate layoff to full-time staging 07:55 – Building agent relationships 10:12 – Pricing challenges 13:45 – Gaining pricing confidence 17:03 – Profiting in occupied staging 21:17 – What agents love about her services 26:30 – No warehouse? No problem 30:15 – Advice for stuck stagers 35:10 – RESA reflectionsLinks Mentioned:Follow SP Design: https://www.instagram.com/spdesignmn/" target="_blank">@spdesignmnFind a RESA® Chapter: https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=225&club_id=304550" target="_blank">Click hereLearn about RESACON®: https://resaconvention.com/" target="_blank">resaconvention.comDisclaimer: This podcast reflects the experiences of one staging business. Always consult a qualified tax or legal professional for advice specific to your business.RESA® is the trade association for professional home stagers. Learn more at https://www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com" target="_blank">RealEstateStagingAssociation.com.

What does it really take to run a successful home staging business? Ashley Provost, founder of an award-winning SF Bay Area staging company, shares her journey, struggles, and lessons learned—from imposter syndrome to managing cash flow and winning a RESA® award. Key Takeaways: - How winning a RESA® award impacted Ashley’s business - Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding support - Why analytics and math matter in staging - Handling cash flow challenges and seasonal slowdowns - Building a brand, leading a team, and evolving a business Final Takeaways Ashley’s biggest advice: Find your community, keep learning, and know your numbers. "Find your people. Learn from them. And don’t be afraid to change what’s not working." Links & Resources: 📌 RESA®: [https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/](https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/) 📌 The Staging Insider: [https://thestaginginsider.com/](https://thestaginginsider.com/) 📌 Follow Ashley: [https://www.instagram.com/ashleyprovostdesign](https://www.instagram.com/ashleyprovostdesign) 📌 Join the Staging Community: [https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/join](https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/join)

On this episode of The Staging Insider, host Felicia Pulley welcomes Amber Guyton, the founder of Blessed Little Bungalow, an Atlanta-based interior design firm and influencer brand. Amber’s journey is anything but traditional, making her story an inspiring roadmap for stagers and designers alike. Highlights from this episode include: Taking the Leap: Learn how Amber transitioned from a thriving corporate career in advertising and marketing to pursue her passion for design, overcoming fear and uncertainty along the way. Authenticity and Brand Building: Amber shares how staying true to her values and aesthetic helped her build a brand that resonates with clients, followers, and national partners alike—proving that authenticity pays off. Financial Freedom Through Design: Hear how Amber used her design side hustle to pay off $100,000 in debt, showing how strategic financial planning and discipline can turn a passion into profit. Scaling a Creative Business: Discover Amber’s approach to outsourcing, managing burnout, and planning for growth, including her goal to expand her team and diversify her business with licensing deals and partnerships. Navigating Nontraditional Paths: Amber opens up about her decision to focus on virtual consultations and curated services instead of full-service design, offering a fresh perspective on success that challenges industry norms. Brand Partnerships Done Right: From Sherwin Williams to Wayfair, Amber reveals how organic relationships with brands have elevated her career, and shares her advice for landing partnerships without compromising your authenticity. Whether you’re a stager, designer, or creative entrepreneur, Amber’s story will inspire you to embrace your unique path, take bold steps toward your goals, and create a business that aligns with your vision and values. Tune in to hear how Amber turned a side hustle into a flourishing design empire—and why staying true to yourself is the ultimate power move in the creative industry. Follow Amber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blessedlittlebungalow/ Connect with Amber at RESA Connect in Atlanta Jan. 14th, 2025: https://resaconnect.com/ Become a member of the Real Estate Staging Association: https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=304550&module_id=133393 The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA®) is the trade association for professional real estate stagers. RESA is a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt non-profit trade association. For more information about real estate staging, or to find a professional stager call 888-201-8687 or visit the RESA website at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com

In this episode of The Staging Insider Podcast, host Felicia Pulley sits down with award-winning stager and designer Leslie Anderson to discuss her incredible journey in the staging industry. Leslie shares how she evolved her business from staging to include interior design, launched her own private-label furniture line, and built an award-winning reputation. Get insights into how Leslie navigates competition, balances creativity with business strategy, and adapts to industry challenges. Whether you're a seasoned stager or just starting out, Leslie offers invaluable advice on financial management, setting yourself apart, and staying motivated. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation filled with actionable tips and a behind-the-scenes look at the mindset of a true industry leader. 🎧 Highlights Include: How Leslie transitioned from staging to design Her approach to competing in a growing industry Tips for managing inventory and finances Advice for stagers at every level Insights on building a sustainable, profitable business Subscribe to The Staging Insider for more interviews with top industry experts! Check out Leslie Anderson's work: https://www.leslieandersoninteriors.com/ https://www.instagram.com/leslieandersoninteriors/ Learn more about RESA and RESACON: https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/ 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know your favorite takeaway from this episode! 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of The Staging Insider! The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA®) is the trade association for professional real estate stagers. RESA is a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt non-profit trade association. For more information about real estate staging, or to find a professional stager call 888-201-8687 or visit the RESA website at www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Staging Insider, a RESA® podcast hosted by Felicia Pulley! In this debut episode, Felicia sits down with Jason Saft, founder of Staged to Sell Home, to explore how a pivotal career rejection transformed his approach to staging and ultimately led to award-winning success. Jason shares his journey from side hustle to building one of NYC’s most recognized boutique staging firms, offering insights on balancing creativity with profitability, managing a growing team, and navigating the complexities of the NYC real estate market. Whether you're a seasoned stager or just starting out, this episode is packed with inspiration, actionable advice, and behind-the-scenes stories to help you elevate your business. Don’t miss this incredible kickoff to The Staging Insider!