In 2019, Karen Bodu took a leap of faith and left her corporate job to combine her passions of interior design and business to form Austin Staging by Karen LLC. She has since been providing homeowners with unique interior designs that have helped improve the value of their homes while also aiding in a swift property sale.
Karen shares, “It was probably the scariest thing and the most freeing thing I have ever done. I had always wanted to own my own business but never knew what. I had heard of staging a few years back through my mom and thought that was something I could do and grow in. With the support of my family, I developed a very rough draft of a business plan, and about a month later gave my notice at my job.”
Learn more about Karen:
What does a perfect day look like to you?
It would begin with coffee, followed by a flight, preferably Greece/Italy. It would end with wine and a great meal. Really, any day I am traveling is the perfect day.
I love staging because…
it’s very meditative when I get in the zone to actually stage. Plus I love the transformation and all those before and afters!
Right now I am obsessed with…
jewel tones!
Good staging should…
be to scale and have balance.
Who is your role model and why?
My mom! She is an amazing woman who has started several successful businesses on her own. She is very much, “where there is a will, there is a way” type of person. It’s pretty impressive.
My personal aesthetic is…
more modern or mid-century. But I love all styles, which is why it’s so much fun to be in this industry!
Before I was staging…
I was grinding away in an accounting department at a Start-Up.
My favorite meal after a long day of staging is…
any new recipe I have come across. I love to cook, so it’s relaxing to whip up something new after a long day.
If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?
My two cats – does that count? Definitely, my baby album/family photos, my cell phone – but mainly because it would be such a hassle to replace.
My number one goal this year is…
to grow my inventory and stage more houses than my first year. I have already hit my goals for this year.
In the next 5 years…
I hope to have a thriving business and team so I can let go a little bit (not sure if that’s possible yet). I love to travel, so want to do more of that!
When faced with a struggle…
I work through it in however way I can. Plus, it makes us stronger on the other side, so just need to get through it!
What part of owning your own business is the least enjoyable for you and why?
For me, the social media aspect is the least enjoyable. It’s time-consuming, mainly because writing does not come easily to me. Plus, social media tends to suck you in, which I also try to avoid.
What project are you really excited about right now and why?
I am in the process of redesigning my house, we just ordered new furniture so should be here soon!
You can find out more about Karen and her company by visiting her website https://austinstagingbykaren.com
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