Congratulations to Staging Diva Graduate Karen Wilson of Completely Staged (Ohio) who had the courage to cut back her hours after 10 years in the corporate world so she could pursue her passion for design. Like many of my students, Karen had been helping friends and family for years with everything from choosing the best paint colors to complete makeovers.

Very few of my students are trained designers, but they have an eye for what looks great and then I teach them how to create a business based on that.

Karen says, “Time and time again I have been told that I have natural talent and should go into business helping the ‘designed challenged.’ I decided several months ago to take a leap of faith, and follow my dreams of owning my own staging and redesign business. I get the most satisfaction from seeing the excitement in a client when I have taken their completely ‘blah’ space and transformed it into a warm, inviting, yet sophisticated space. My biggest claim to fame is my ability to give a client a ‘high-end’ look on a ‘low-end’ budget.

Owning my own staging business has helped me to realize that through hard work and determination, a life-long passion can became a reality and a success.”

It’s easy to see why Karen has often been told that she has the right “eye” for design. I had to really study her larger photos to realize that the cabinets, countertops and floor are the same in both the before and after shots. She has totally made over this kitchen with paint, hardware and accessories. A fabulous transformation! Imagine all that talent hiding inside a corporate job!

Get more stories like these about home stagers in my free report “Ask Staging Diva: Can a regular person like me become a home stager?”