In this episode of Home Stagers and Designers on Fire I interview Lauren Brown of A Designer’s Touch.
After a successful 33-year career, Lauren retired—and then boldly launched her design firm at 65 years old.
Her creative marketing has included billboards, movie theatre ads, radio features, and community-forward campaigns rarely seen in the design industry. Lauren’s approach blends experience, intuition, and fearless creativity, helping her stand out in a crowded market while building a thriving, respected design business.
Listen to the podcast below or subscribe on Apple, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
You will learn:
What it was like for Lauren to leave a 33 year career at High Point to start her Interior Design company and how she dealt with Imposter Syndrome
The unconventional ways Lauren gained traction in her Interior Design Business
The most effective way Lauren won business at the beginning
Why Lauren shifted from a Home Staging business to Interior Design
The marketing tip Lauren got from Claire Jefford
Why Lauren decided to go on a billboard to promote her business and the results she got from doing that
How Lauren won a radio spot
Other juicy ways Lauren marketed her business to gain momentum
Xo Marianne
New Hampshire Designer Retreat | June 4–7 ✨
Early Bird Special Pricing
Imagine stepping away from your day-to-day and into a gorgeous mountain retreat in New Hampshire, surrounded by designers and home stagers who get you.
This isn’t just about trends (though you’ll get those, too ).
It’s about deep connection, shared growth, and unforgettable experiences.
Over three inspiring days, you’ll:
🤍 Learn directly from two seasoned coaches—Debbe Daley and Marianne Cherico—who will expand your vision, challenge your thinking, and help you step into what’s next
🤍 Gain just as much insight from the other talented creatives in the room—the conversations, collaborations, and “aha” moments are pure magic
🤍 Explore 2026 interior design & home staging trends, signature style, and what truly sets you apart
🤍 Learn how to leverage your design and staging expertise to invest in real estate, including how to evaluate and purchase investment properties—and combine smart buying with beautiful design
🤍 Experience the beauty of a private, historic NH retreat home, charming towns, antique shopping, and breathtaking mountain views
🤍 Enjoy cocktails, live music, laughter, optional Reiki sessions, hot-seat coaching, and plenty of time to relax and have fun
This is where business breakthroughs happen over coffee, wine, walks, and honest conversations—and where lasting friendships are formed.
Limited spots available
June 4–7 | Sandwich, NH
⏰ Registration closes May 29, 2026
If you’re craving inspiration, clarity, connection, and joy—this is your invitation
Complimentary Discovery Session
Together we will clarify your goals, uncover challenges that are preventing you from reaching those goals and discuss coaching options to help you create a life and business that is on fire! 🔥🔥🔥
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 Lauren:
Website – https://lauren-brown-designs.com/
Instagram- @designerstouchbylauren
Connect with Marianne:
Set up a coaching discovery session to see if coaching is right for you.
Website: https://coachingbymarianne.com
Instagram: @homestagercoachmarianne
You Tube Channel-https://www.youtube.com/@homestagersanddesignersonfire
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 74: Price your services with an empowered mindset
In this episode I talk about how to strategically price your services with an empowered mindset. Pricing is such a hot topic and something that stagers and designers often struggle with.
Episode 73: Raise prices and set better boundaries
In this episode I talk with one of my coaching clients, Laurie Mattson of Rooms with Impact. Laurie and I have worked together for a few years and it has been a joy to watch her evolve into a strong, savvy businesswoman.
Episode 72: Conquer fears and build clarity to build a business you love
In this episode I talk with one of my coaching clients, Melpo Mankin. Melpo has been in my group coaching program for almost a year. When we started working together, she had only been full time in business a few months and wanted clarity around what to focus on and what types of jobs she would be working on. She also wanted to learn how to get those jobs.
Episode 71: Bring on 2022-getting personal
In this episode I share challenges that were going on in my personal life in 2021 and how I managed to separate my personal life from my business so that I would continue to grow.
Episode 70: Wanna bring some “woo” into your systems and processes?
In this episode I am delighted to talk with Mary Williams. Mary is the Chief Technology Therapist at Sensible Woo, where she helps business owners make their data management and software systems flow with ease.
Episode 69: Pinterest Strategies to Grow Your Business
In this episode I am delighted to talk with Kate Ahl of Simple Pin Media, a Pinterest management and marketing company. Pinterest is an often overlooked marketing asset and Kate discusses how to use this platform to build your business.
Episode 68: Real Estate Agents Need You Now More Than Ever
In this episode I would like to talk with you about why Real Estate Agents need to work with Home Stagers now, more than ever.
Episode 67: Get Great Design and Staging Photos with Your Smartphone
In this episode I talk with Linda Holt of Linda Holt Creative. Linda is a certified color and interior decorating consultant.
Episode 66: How Fear Impacts Success
In this episode I would like to talk with you about how fear impacts success in our business and why it is so important to understand the fears that are not always conscious!
Episode 65: How a Veteran Stager has Adapted to the Needs of her Ideal Clients
In this episode I talk with Michelle Finnamore of Michelle Finnamore Interiors LTD and Advantage Staging. Michelle has been staging since 2007 as well as redesigning homes once the seller has moved into their new home.
Episode 64: Creating Multiple Streams of Income
In this episode I talk with Bridget King of Captiva Design in Southwest Florida. Join us as we discuss how to create multiple streams of income in your staging and decorating business and how that helps you stay profitable (even through a pandemic).
Episode 63: Linked in Strategies for Stagers and Designers
In this episode I talk with Karen Yankovich about how home stagers and designers can leverage Linked In to build their business.
Episode 62: Best Friends And a Staging Business
Liz Larson and Jan Poulain from Perfectly Placed for You are my guests. Join us as we discuss how they built their successful Massachusetts Staging Company by adhering to their core values- friendship and fun.
Episode 61: How To Navigate High Point Market
Debbe Daley and Wendy Woloschuk, my Design for Today Collaborative colleagues discuss how to navigate High Point market.
Episode 60: Sell Staging In Any Market
In this episode I share insights on how to “sell” your staging services in any Real Estate market. Whether you are in a hot Sellers market or a Buyer’s market, the way that you position your services is more important than ever. Learn what to say to agents and sellers so that they see the value of staging.
Episode 59: Combining a Staging and Real Estate Business
In this episode I talk with Adrienne Lord of Staged to Sell. Adrienne shares her experience of owning a Real Estate Brokerage that includes a full service Home Staging component
Episode 58: Build Know, Like Trust with Video
In this episode I am talking with Aaron and Angela Bell of Smartphone Video Formula. I met Angela and Aaron in a coaching Program that we are all in and loved how generous they were to other members in the group. And so I set up a time to meet with them in order to get to know them better and we talked about how important video is when marketing your business.
Episode 57: 3 Questions Answered on Getting Business From RE Agents
In this episode I am going to answer 3 questions that I often get from Home Stagers about getting business from Real Estate Agents.
Episode 56: A Soulful Designer Creating Her Life from the Inside/Out
In this episode I talk with Michelle Cortizo of Cortizo Interiors. Michelle began her design career back in the year 2000. Asked by a builder in church if she could help him with paint colors, she quickly became part of his team and learned how to design large projects while collaborating with project managers and architects.
Episode 55: A Step Above Designs in Florida
In this my latest podcast episode I talk with one of my coaching clients, Amie Stepkoski of A Step Above Designs in Florida. Amy is a member of my Home Stagers on Fire Coaching Group and I have watched her go from a struggling beginner stager to a stager who is growing her business by fine tuning her messaging and getting more and more repeat business from Real Estate Agents.
