Pricing Mistakes, Audits & Building a Team | Susie Passons on Episode 5

In this episode of The Staging Insider, RESA® Creative Director Felicia Pulley sits down with Susie Passons, founder of SP Design in Minnesota, to talk about the real side of growing a staging business the right way.Susie shares how she navigated a surprise audit, transitioned from 1099 contractors to W-2 employees, and why having systems like payroll and bookkeeping in place protected her business. She also opens up about pricing mistakes, building her team, avoiding burnout, and what she’s learned from years of growing in the staging industry.Whether you're a new stager or a seasoned pro, this episode delivers valuable insights about running a legit, lasting business.⏱️ Key Moments: 00:00 – Intro & Susie’s background 04:26 – Corporate layoff to full-time staging 07:55 – Building agent relationships 10:12 – Pricing challenges 13:45 – Gaining pricing confidence 17:03 – Profiting in occupied staging 21:17 – What agents love about her services 26:30 – No warehouse? No problem 30:15 – Advice for stuck stagers 35:10 – RESA reflectionsLinks Mentioned:Follow SP Design: https://www.instagram.com/spdesignmn/" target="_blank">@spdesignmnFind a RESA® Chapter: https://www.realestatestagingassociation.com/content.aspx?page_id=225&club_id=304550" target="_blank">Click hereLearn about RESACON®: https://resaconvention.com/" target="_blank">resaconvention.comDisclaimer: This podcast reflects the experiences of one staging business. Always consult a qualified tax or legal professional for advice specific to your business.RESA® is the trade association for professional home stagers. Learn more at https://www.RealEstateStagingAssociation.com" target="_blank">RealEstateStagingAssociation.com.