In this episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I interview Marissa Cortese. Marissa is the founder of Vienna Lane Interiors, a New Jersey–based staging and design firm known for its elevated, design-forward approach to preparing homes for market.
A former tech leader turned creative director for high-end listings, she sees staging as a puzzle to solve—crafting curated spaces that resonate with today’s buyers and help listings truly stand out.
Marissa is passionate about building strong business relationships – partnering with agents, artists, and local businesses to create one-of-a-kind spaces that connect and convert.
Listen to the podcast below or subscribe on Apple, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
In this episode you will learn:
How Marissa left a career in tech to start a staging business and all that she has accomplished in a short period of time
How Marissa faced her biggest fears and how she got past them
Why Marissa decided to coach with me after getting a Certification in Home Staging
How Marissa stopped hiding behind the “safe” tasks that hold so many stagers back from gaining any traction
What Marissa did consistently to win the business of Real Estate Agents
What Marissa sees for the future of her business and how she plans on setting her business apart
Xo Marianne
Want More Referrals from Real Estate Agents?
Real Estate Agents are the #1 source of repeat, reliable business for Home Stagers — yet most Stagers struggle to get their attention, let alone earn their trust.
Here’s the truth:
You don’t need to “convince” the right Agents to work with you. You just need to know what matters to them — and how to position yourself as the solution they’ve been looking for.
In this high-impact, live/virtual program, I’ll teach you exactly how top Stagers consistently attract and keep agent partnerships that bring in steady staging work month after month.
This is NOT a generic marketing course. This is the insider strategy playbook for Stagers ready to grow fast and build referral-rich businesses.
🚨 Spots are limited so I can give personalized attention to each participant.
I’m looking for serious, action-oriented Stagers ready to show up, level up, and stand out.
Be the first to know when enrollment opens — and get a special bonus:
A LIVE Q&A coaching session where I’ll answer your questions and show you how to make Agents want to work with you.
I would love your review! If you enjoy what I share in this episode, please leave a review and comment on iTunes. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
Connect with Marissa:
Website – https://www.viennalaneinteriors.com/
Instagram- @viennalane.interiors
Connect with Marianne:
Set up a coaching discovery session to see if coaching is right for you.
Website: https://coachingbymarianne.com
Instagram: @homestagercoachmarianne
Join my FB Group: Fire Up Your Home Staging Business: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fireupyourhomestagingbusiness/
FB Group: Design for Today Collaborative- https://www.facebook.com/groups/DesignForTodayCollaborative
Visit my FB Coaching Page: https://www.facebook.com/CoachingByMarianneCherico/
Join my LinkedIn Group: Interior Redesign, Decorating and Real Estate Staging Professionals here.
Episode 28: Vacation Rental Design
In this episode I talk about building a Vacation Rental Design Business with Jessica Duce.
Jessica has been in the Interior Design business for 15 years. She stumbled into vacation rental design 4 years ago and loves it. Her experience in residential and commercial design compliments the hospitality needs of this niche. Jessica sees VRD as a great new way to service her clients at all levels. And she is going to share her secrets for carving her way into this stream of income.
Episode 27: Websites and What You Need to Know
In this podcast episode I talk with Orlando Reyes about what you need to know about building or updating your website.
Join us as we discuss everything from domain names to hosting providers to optimizing SEO (search engine optimization) and how your website can be instrumental in building your email list and turning cold leads into warm leads.
Episode 25: Luxury Home Staging
In this podcast episode I talk with Birgit Anich about Luxury Home Staging.
Join us as and learn what it takes to position yourself as a luxury home staging specialist in your local market.
Episode 24: Deliver First Class Service
In this episode Wendy Glaister shares her philosophy on delivering first class service to her design clients.
Join us as we talk about what Wendy does to “wow” her clients, make them feel special and treat them exceptionally well so that they feel incredibly valued and important.
Episode 23: Instagram Strategies that Rock
In this episode I talk with Mark McDonough about Instagram Strategies That Rock.
Join us as we talk about how to use this social media platform in order to grow your Interior Design or Staging Business.
Episode 23: Sleep Well with Solid Contracts and Processes
In this episode Debbe Daley of Debbe Daley Designs, Wendy Woloshchuk of Details Full Service Interiors and I are going to discuss some of the things that may come up in your design or staging business that may cause you to want to reconsider your processes or contracts so that you feel prepared for situations that you hadn’t thought about.
Episode 22: Profitability in a Changing Design World
In this episode Veronica Solomon discusses Profitability in a Changing Design World. Join us as we talk about how Veronica, an incredibly talented and self taught designer, stays profitable by running her business her way
Episode 21: Insights from a Well Designed Business
In this episode LuAnn Nigara shares insights that she has learned from interviewing hundreds of Interior Designers and Home Stagers on her Insights from a Well Designed Business.
Join us as we talk about what makes these leaders in the design field so successful.
Episode 20: Building A Lucrative Staging Consult Biz
In this episode Bobbie McGrath shares her secrets to building a lucrative occupied consult biz.
Join us as we talk about how this simple, low overhead business model can be your secret weapon to creating more revenue-the easy way.
Episode 19: 7 Steps to Enlist Real Estate Agents
Learn how to build your Home Staging Business by enlisting Real Estate Agents to use your consult services and promote you to their sellers.
Episode 18: The Benefits of Group Coaching
In this episode Laurie Mattson, Jennifer Dorsey and Tamara Grant discuss the benefits of Group Coaching.
Join us as we discuss how being in my group coaching program has impacted their business.
Episode 17: Psychological Selling
In this episode Dr. Nancy Zare shares her model for psychological selling.
Join us as Nancy enlightens us on why identifying and understanding different personality types helps us to build better relationships and “sell” our services more effectively.
Episode 16: A Fun Overview of Feng Shui
In this episode Christina Rodriguez enlightens us on the principles of feng shui.
Join us as we talk about how the flow of “chi” energy in your home effects money, success, romance and so much more. And learn how you might use these concepts in staging or design jobs.
Episode 15: The Marketing Journey
In this episode Michelle Binette discusses her journey from a marketing career to an Interior Design business.
Join us as Michelle shares her golden nuggets of wisdom on the path to build her career.
Episode 14: Marketing Your Interior Design Business
In this episode Claire Jefford discusses how she found and embraced proven marketing strategies that have helped her grow her Interior Design Business.
Join us as we talk about how to become more compelling in your marketing by finding what works for you.
Episode 13: How Confidence Impacts Your Marketing
In this session Kate the Socialite and I will discuss how confidence impacts your marketing.
Join us as we talk about how to become more compelling in your marketing by overcoming fears and limiting beliefs and sharing your authentic voice.
Episode 12: Mindset Hacks For Selling Your Services – Part 2
Marianne Cherico discusses mindset hacks that help you “sell” your services without feeling salesy. You will learn how to do a deeper dive into what your clients really want, how to be clear about the benefits that you offer, how to handle fear and so much more
Episode 11: Mindset Hacks For Selling Your Services – Part 1
In this episode Marianne Cherico discusses mindset hacks that help you “sell” your services without feeling salesy. You will learn how to do a deeper dive into what your clients really want, how to be clear about the benefits that you offer ,how to handle fear and so much more!
Episode 10: Video Strategies That Rock
In this episode Tori Toth discusses specifics about how to use different video platforms to grow your business. Whether your marketing and visibility strategy focuses on You Tube, Facebook, Instagram or Linked In, it is important to be intentional about how to use each of these platforms for optimal results. You will learn best practices for leveraging video in social media and so much more!
Episode 9: Reno Project Management
Join us as we discuss Debbe Daley’s approach to renovation, how she mitigates liability for contractors while overseeing projects, how packages help set up client expectations better, and so much more!
