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 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

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.

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

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!