Jen Hosey is the owner of Times Ten Design, a staging and design company based in Castle Rock, CO. Her love for all things design and real estate started out at a very young age and after graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago, went on to obtain her real estate brokers license. Now as a Staging Design Professional™ graduate from Staging Studio, Jen has extensive experience in preparing homes for sale. With her background in real estate, she has a unique perspective on what exactly buyers are looking for. Additionally, with her expertise in woodworking and art, she has a very creative way of looking at spaces.

People think staging is just decorating but it’s SO much more than that. The amount of hats you have to wear while running a staging business is endless.

Over the past decade she has become a top producing real estate agent and has been featured on HGTV. Her attention to detail has been a huge resource to her clients, family and friends in regards to staging, redecorating and design.From decorating her own home, to helping clients reimagine their spaces, her style has garnered attention. Whether it’s staging a home for top dollar, redecorating your home to a cohesive esthetic, or redesigning your home’s existing decor, Jen brings an unparalleled level of expertise, communication, and service to make the process a luxury experience. 

I know what they are looking for in a stager and how to stand out from our competition with a high level of communication, service and partnership. When you’re a realtor, you have to market yourself and your listings. This has translated seamlessly to marketing my business and my work.

Q: How does your commitment to RESA®, the exclusive nonprofit trade association for stagers, align with your professional goals and values?
Jen: We provide a high level of service and professionalism along with designing beautiful spaces that stand out from the rest. Our goal is to elevate the standard of staging in Colorado by focusing on the client and the market trends.

Q: What inspired the beginning of your staging journey?
Jen: The beginning of my staging journey is something of a “right place, right time” situation. I was a Realtor® in Chicago before moving to Colorado. Over the years, I’ve been documenting my woodworking, art and design projects on my social media pages. After moving to Colorado, I met a neighbor who invited me to a girls night. During the dinner, I met my friend Katie and we hit it off. She was a realtor and her sister in law owned a home staging business. We bonded over real estate and she loved my design projects.A few months later, her sister in law announced she was moving to Arizona and was selling her home staging business. Katie immediately thought of me and connected us. Because of my real estate and design experience, it was the perfect transition for me.

Q: Take us back to your very first day on the job as a home stager. What were your feelings, expectations, and the most memorable moments from that day?
Jen: I had no idea what to expect on my first day. I met with the previous owner at a condo stage on the 3rd floor. We were carrying up bins and I was out of breath, sweating and walking around like a lost puppy dog. I remember having a lot of questions on logistics specifically. It was all so overwhelming because I was going to be taking over an established business in just a few weeks.I could do whatever I wanted with it, but I was taking notes of how things were currently running. My mind was running wild on how I could take the current success and grow it. I asked her so many questions during the stage all while wondering what I was getting myself into!

Q: How has your perception of the staging industry evolved since you started?
Jen: People think staging is just decorating but it’s SO much more than that. The amount of hats you have to wear while running a staging business is endless. I’ve learned that you have to delegate jobs, hire appropriately and be smart with growth. I’ve also learned to trust our process and have confidence in the service we offer. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come on our journey to be a top stager in Colorado!

Q: Would you share some insights into your creative process? Where do you typically find inspiration for your staging designs, and how do you translate that into your work?
Jen: I find a lot of my inspiration from trending instagram decorating profiles, Pinterest and high end retail stores. My creative process stems from organic, neutral, on trend staple pieces mixed in with earthy, muted tones. I try to stage with items I would put in my own home.

Check out some of Jen’s favorite IG accounts: @studiomcgee @stagingstudio @amberinteriors  @arvinolano @frills_and_drills @thehillarystyle @arhaus @Crateandbarrel

Q: How have the skills and experiences from your previous career uniquely equipped you for success in the world of staging?
Jen:  With my experience selling real estate, I know exactly where my core clients (agents) are coming from. I know what they are looking for in a stager and how to stand out from our competition with a high level of communication, service and partnership. When you’re an agent, you have to market yourself and your listings. This has translated seamlessly to marketing my business and my work. It’s parallel in so many ways which is one of the reasons for our success.

Q: Can you recall a particularly challenging staging project? What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them? What did you learn from that experience?
Jen: There have been many! Squatters, construction zones, break ins, extremely dirty properties and many other bad situations. I think we have a solid contract now but every time we ran into something crazy, we had to add new things to cover ourselves. We learned communication with the realtor and homeowner is key and to make sure we always have a signed contract before we step foot into the home.

Q: Staging often involves collaboration with real estate agents. Could you share some insights into how effective communication and partnership between stagers and agents can lead to successful property sales?

Q: Staging can transform a property, but it’s not just about aesthetics. How do you balance design principles with the practical aspects of making a home more marketable?
Jen: With my real estate experience, I know what buyers comment on most when they tour homes. I also know where photographers focus their shots on which helps me make sure our furniture is positioned in the best way for photography. I strive for that “wow” factor when buyers walk through the home and I try to make sure every room has a money shot!

Q: Beyond aesthetics, what do you believe are the most important qualities or skills that a successful home stager should possess? How have these qualities shaped your own career?
Jen: I think being reliable, hardworking, quick to respond, quick to deliver, savvy in social media with a strong understanding of the real estate process is key. I always make sure to be relatable, easy to get a hold and above all – follow through and deliver a memorable experience start to finish. These qualities have set us a part because my heart and soul is really in every aspect!

Q: If you have a team of home stagers, could you share some insights into your approach to team management? What strategies do you use to ensure cohesion and consistent quality across your projects?
Jen: My stagers have to attend stages with me for months before they are on their own. I work to make sure most of our inventory can be mixed to always create a beautiful end product. My stagers video call me during and after the stage to confirm any changes and overall placement. I quote every project myself and outline each item of furniture that needs to be packed to make sure the design is executed correctly.Culture is also so important to me. I want it to be fun and they have freedom to be creative within the brand. They always show up with great ideas and love shopping as much as I do!

Q: If you could collaborate with any famous interior designer or decorator, living or deceased, on a staging project, who would it be and why? What do you think you could learn from them?
Jen: I would love to collaborate with Shea McGee! I feel like she started in a similar place as I did with a love for design but initally having no degree in the field. I love her style and how influential she is on current trends.

Q: Home staging is a competitive field. What advice do you have for other staging professionals looking to stand out in the market and build a strong client base?
Jen: Focus on impressing your agents and creating a strong online presence. Agents talk and if they love you, they will refer you! Then those agents will go online to look you up. Make sure your brand shines and your portfolio is strong!

Q: Balancing creativity with the demands of running a business can be challenging. What tools or systems do you use to manage your staging projects efficiently and stay organized in your daily operations?
Jen: I use 17hats for quoting and contracts, Stageforce for inventory management, Quickbooks for invoicing and spreadsheets for overall tracking of projects.

Q: What are some common misconceptions or objections you’ve encountered about home staging, and how do you educate potential clients or naysayers about the benefits it brings to the selling process?
Jen: I find that people are surprised about the price. If they knew the time, effort and overhead that comes along with each stage, I know they would understand!Some people also don’t like to stage in strong markets but there is never a bad time to stage. I let agents know that because it makes their listings look better, other potential sellers will see the time and effort they put into making their listings stand out and ultimately hire them over someone else.

Q: Client testimonials and reviews can build trust with prospective clients. How do you encourage satisfied clients to share their positive experiences, and how has this influenced your ability to acquire new clients?
Jen: I almost always ask for a review! I also review my agents back as a partner in the process and how easy they are to work with. They always want reviews too, so this is a great thing we can do for each other.

Q: How can real estate agents better communicate the value of staging to their clients, and what role can they play in making the staging process smoother and more effective?
Jen: If they show before and after pictures of staging, they always speak for themselves!