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 8: Secrets to Buying Wholesale
If you would like to start buying furniture and accessories for your home staging company, this is the episode for you.
You will learn what to ask yourself before you start investing, what you will need in order to open up accounts, what home stagers should invest in, what inventory and financial management systems Michelle recommends, how to price for rental furniture and so much more!
Episode 7: Write Cracklin’ Hot Copy
In this episode Nancy shares her best tips for creating great copy that magnetizes your ideal clients.
Learn how great copy inspires your clients to take action on their own behalf.
Episode 6: Creating a Thriving Team Culture
In this episode Anthea shares her secrets on growing an incredible team by creating a stellar company culture in order to find the best employees for her thriving business.
Learn what hiring mistakes Anthea has made along the way and what she has learned from them.
Episode 5: How To Monetize Celebrity Status
In this episode Rachel Moriarty talks about how she monetizes celebrity status to build her design empire.
Learn how Rachel built her business to attract high quality design clients, brand ambassadorship, licensing agreements and even an HGTV segment.
Episode 4: Design Files E Design
In this episode Sheilah MacSporan, co founder of DesignFiles, discusses how edesign can help you create more business, reach more clients, build better processes, streamline your design jobs and leverage your time better.
Episode 3: Strategic Social Media Strategies
In this session Darla Powell will discuss how she uses Strategic Social Media Strategies to build her Interior Design business as well as the businesses of other designers.
Join us as we discuss what is working today in the social media playground and how you, too can leverage these platforms.
Episode 2: Building An Awesome Design Biz In Rural Massachusetts
In this session Wendy Woloshchuk talks about how she built a successful Design Business in rural Massachusetts.
Learn how Wendy built her business by creating a posse of raving local fans.
Episode 1: Welcome to this Podcast and Mindset Hacks
Welcome to the first episode of Home Stagers and Designers in Fire. I am Marianne Cherico and I am delighted to be your host.
My goal is to bring you lots of valuable information that will help you grow your Home Staging and/or Design Business. This first session is a quick intro to how Mindset effects your success!
