Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Bodu
Hi Karen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After ten years of working in accounting in corporate America, I decided to make a change and follow my love of interior design. My mom was the one who floated the idea of me starting a home staging business. We worked together to research and with the support of my husband, we launched the business in 2019. It has grown year after year, and we now have enough inventory to stage 20-25 houses.
We also offer luxury Christmas tree rentals and decor as I am passionate about the holiday season. I would love to see this side of the business develop more and bring in more holiday décor to be even more diverse and more successful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a mainly smooth road, but some years have been more challenging than others.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, I was very afraid of the future since the business was so new, but surprisingly, it turned out to be a very successful year for the housing market and home staging despite the challenging circumstances.
Since then, I’ve never experienced a “normal” year of staging due to the fluctuations in the housing market. Each year has been distinctly different from the last.
2024 was a year of adjustments as well. We adjusted to moving into a new warehouse, and at the same time, the housing market in Austin slowed down significantly. Thankfully through pivoting in some areas, we were able to overcome the challenges last year. I believe it’s essential for every business to learn and adapt to each situation so that we can better navigate changing market conditions.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Austin Staging?
We specialize in vacant home staging in the Austin area and surrounding. We stage houses primarily in the $1-2 million range but have inventory to accommodate staging for all types of homes. We can work with you to create a plan for your specific needs and we pride ourselves in exceptional customer services. We are always looking to help our clients succeed.
We have expanded into luxury holiday Christmas tree rentals and decor, and have been increasing that side of the business as well. We love to assist our clients with their holiday needs and take some of the stress off of the season.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I like to connect with people on a deeper, more intimate level. I have a natural drive to be authentic and treat others with kindness, so it’s important to me that the people I work with share those values. I am a strong believer in women’s empowerment, not just for myself, but for all the women in business. I live by the motto “A rising tide lifts all ships”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austinstagingbykaren.com
- Instagram: @austinstagingbykaren @merryandbrightatx
- Facebook: @austinstagingbykaren
Image Credits
Kelly Colson Photography
