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 reflections

Links Mentioned:

Follow SP Design: https://www.instagram.com/spdesignmn/" target="_blank">@spdesignmn

Find a RESA® Chapter: https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=225&club_id=304550" target="_blank">Click here

Learn about RESACON®: https://resaconvention.com/" target="_blank">resaconvention.com

Disclaimer: 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)