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.