Today we’d like to introduce you to Maribel Sierra
Hi Maribel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After spending more than 16 successful years in the world of high-tech, I realized I needed to hit pause and refocus on what truly matters: my family, creativity, and exploring new passions. It was a leap of faith, but one I knew I had to take.
I’ve always had a love for creating beautiful spaces, whether through remodeling projects, scrolling Pinterest boards, or getting lost in HGTV marathons. That’s how MSM Design Solutions was born! It’s my way of blending my love for design, with my knack for attention to detail, and understating what buyers want. I get to create spaces that, not only look stunning, but also feel like home. By staging vacant or occupied homes, I combined my love for design with a keen understanding of what buyers want.
What sets MSM apart is the blend of styles I bring—organic, modern, and rustic elements that create warm, welcoming spaces. But it’s more than just aesthetics. It’s about creating an emotional connection for buyers, turning a house into a home they can imagine themselves in.
The journey has been a labor of love and grit. Launching a business from scratch has been equal parts exciting and challenging, but it’s also been deeply rewarding. Every project is a chance to learn, grow, and make someone’s vision come to life. And through it all, I’ve found so much joy in following my passion and creating something meaningful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped the journey of MSM Design Solutions. Starting a business like this means wearing many hats—you’re not just a designer but also a web designer, social media manager, warehouse manager, accountant, and salesperson. It can be overwhelming, but my 16 years in a large corporation gave me valuable exposure to all these areas. That experience, combined with my realtor background, gave me a unique edge in understanding how to start a business, where to add value to the staging business and how to showcase a home’s full potential.
To stand out in a crowded market, I’ve focused on offering unique furniture and decor that resonate with buyers while complementing the home’s style. I’ve also expanded MSM Design Solutions into a “one-stop solution” by adding services like house cleaning, landscaping, window washing, etc. This approach has been a game-changer for real estate owners and sellers, simplifying the preparation process and speeding up the timeline to get homes listed.
Another ongoing challenge has been managing growth, from balancing inventory to hiring a strong team. Staging requires quality, distinctive pieces, but it’s a careful dance to ensure costs don’t spiral out of control.
Ultimately, I want MSM Design Solutions to be the staging company of choice because we’re easy to work with, offer a unique and comprehensive service, and understand how to create spaces that connect with buyers. Helping homes sell faster while delivering value to my clients is what drives me every day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At our staging and design company, we believe every home has a story to tell, and we see it as our job to bring that story to life. Based in Austin, we love creating spaces that feel unique and intentional—not like they’ve been staged by following a standard checklist. What makes our work special is the personal touch we bring to each project, often using pieces I’ve collected during my travels.
Traveling is a big part of my life, and I’ve been fortunate to bring back incredible items from around the world. Our designs often feature pillow covers from Morocco, furniture from India, art from Colombia, and décor from multiple countries. These global elements add character and individuality to each space, making it feel warm and inviting while also standing out from the crowd.
Beyond staging, we offer a full suite of services, including cleaning, landscaping, and handyman work. We want to ensure that every detail, no matter how small, contributes to the overall vision for the home. It’s not just about making a space look beautiful—it’s about creating a connection between the home and the people who walk through it.
What I’m most proud of is how our approach reflects who we are: creative, thoughtful, and dedicated to quality. We treat each home like a canvas, carefully curating every element to bring out its best features.
It’s deeply rewarding to know that our work helps sellers, at affordable prices, showcase their homes in a way that’s both beautiful and meaningful. To me, staging is about more than aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces where people can picture their future and feel at home before they’ve even moved in.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
My opinion about luck is best described through this poem:
“She’s so lucky.”
No, darling.
She worked hard.
She stayed up late.
She lost people along the way.
She cried herself to sleep.
She ignored the critics.
She invested in herself.
She wanted to quit countless times.
But she didn’t.
– empowerallwomen.co
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MSMDesignSolutions.com
- Instagram: @MSMDesignSolutions
