Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Tjomstol.
Hi Renee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are
today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
From an early age, I was surrounded by an appreciation for style—both in fashion and interior design,
thanks to my mom’s keen eye for both. I loved flipping through fashion magazines, drawing, building
structures with Legos and blocks, which naturally fueled my passion for design.
When it came time to choose a college path, I found myself torn between architecture and textiles.
Ultimately, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Textiles with a concentration in Apparel from North
Carolina State University in 1993.
For 22 incredible years, I built a career in Visual Merchandising for a major clothing retail brand based in
the Southeast, I traveled across the country to open stores, train teams, and develop talent. While I loved
my career, I felt a strong pull toward entrepreneurship. My first introduction to home staging came
through real estate agents who helped my sister and parents sell their homes. I was immediately
captivated by the idea of transforming an occupied home into a model-like showcase. The more I
researched what Home Staging was, the more I knew I had found my next passion.
At the time, I was living in South Florida, but with my family relocating to Georgia, I saw an opportunity
for a fresh start. Taking a leap of faith, I made the move in early February 2016. Just a month later, on
March 1st, Creative Concepts Staging was born.
And that’s where the real adventure began!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not! In 2016, I had just moved to Georgia, knowing only two people outside of my family. As
an introvert (which others always find hard to believe), the idea of building connections and making a
name for myself seemed daunting. I wondered how I would possibly survive.
Fortunately, planning has always been one of my strengths. In my previous job, I had even taught classes
on the subject. So, my first step was to develop a clear plan. The next step was putting that plan into
action.
I went from one real estate agency to another, just hoping to talk to someone—anyone—who would give
me the chance to present at a meeting. I worked alongside other stagers to learn the business. I reached
out to realtors and actively engaged in conversations about their needs and how my services could add
value. Thankfully, my persistence paid off. Through these efforts and the few connections, I had, I landed
my first staging job—a hands-on occupied staging project. I was nervous, but the home turned out great. A
couple of years later, the same homeowner hired me again to stage his newly purchased home—a
testament to the impact of my work.
Momentum started picking up—not perfectly, but I was making progress. But I needed to refine my
approach. To elevate my business, I hired a business coach and followed her advice diligently. I shifted
my marketing strategy, increasing my presence through social media, networking events, cold calling and
public speaking engagements. Cold calling, however, remained my biggest challenge. While I could
confidently speak in front of large audiences, making sales calls felt far more intimidating. But I didn’t let
that stop me. I made as many calls as I could, knowing that tomorrow always brought another opportunity
to improve.
Just as I was gaining more momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic presented an unforeseen obstacle.
The uncertainty was overwhelming, but I refused to let it derail my progress. I adapted, adjusted, and kept
pushing forward.
By 2023, my dedication had paid off. The time and effort I had invested in building my brand and
fostering industry relationships culminated in a thriving home staging business. I established a name for
myself in a place that once felt so unfamiliar.
Looking back, the challenges—the uncertainty, the countless hours, the uphill battles—were all part of
the journey that shaped me. I learned that persistence and resilience always win. And now, as I continue
to grow, I’m excited for what the future holds, knowing that every new challenge is just another
opportunity to prove to myself that I can do anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do,
what do you specialize in / What are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are
you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings,
services, etc?
Creative Concepts Staging by Renee has been a trusted partner for realtors, builders, investors, and
homeowners for nine years. Our journey is fueled by passion, dedication, and the art of transforming
properties into show-ready homes that captivate buyers. We understand that every home has its own
unique charm, and our expertise lies in tailoring staging solutions that highlight each property’s best
features.
We specialize in staging both occupied and vacant homes, offering a range of services, including:
Verbal Consultations
Written Consultations
Hands-on Staging for Occupied Homes
Supplemental Staging
Vacant Home Staging
At Creative Concepts Staging, we take pride in making the real estate process seamless and successful for
our clients.
What makes us most proud? It’s not just one thing—it’s a collection of achievements that define our
growth and impact. Each year, we continue to stage more homes and surpass previous milestones. In
2024, we expanded our team, marking a shift from a solo operation to a thriving, collaborative business.
We’re honored to have staged a home featured on HGTV’s House Hunters, and in both 2023 and 2024,
we were voted Best Staging Company by My Woodstock/Canton Magazine.
Most importantly, we are incredibly grateful for the realtors, homeowners, builders, and investors who
have remained loyal to us over the years, continuously referring us to new clients. Their trust and support
fuel our success, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds as we just celebrated nine years in
business on March 1, 2025!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Do you have any advice for those who are just starting out? Anything you wish you knew when you
were starting out?
One of the most important things when starting your own business is to BELIEVE —believe in yourself,
your vision, your product or service, your team, and your clients. That belief is the foundation of your
success.
Next, have a solid plan. Success doesn’t happen by chance; it happens with intention. Surround yourself
with a strong support system—mentors, partners, and team members who will encourage you and help
you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Ignore the doubters. You’ll hear “no” more times than you’d like, but don’t let that stop you. Use it as fuel
to push forward and prove them wrong.
You won’t be great at every part of running your business, and that’s okay. Focus on your strengths and lean
on your team for support in areas where you need it.
Most importantly, work smart, be authentic, and never stop believing in what you’re building. You’ve got
this!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://creativeconceptsstaging.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeconceptsstaging/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativeconceptsstaging/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-tjomstol-b2858138/
