Hidden Gems: Meet Renee Tjomstol of Creative Concepts Staging by Renee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Tjomstol.

Hi Renee, thanks for sharing your story with us. 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! 

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 job 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 everything was gaining 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. 

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! 

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 customers. 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 a 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/