Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Hallberg.
Shannon, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since I was young I have always loved to design. I always wanted to re-arrange furniture and paint walls to change the look of a room. Art was my favorite subject. I decided to go to college for interior architecture at Columbia College Chicago and while I was there I also had the opportunity to study production design for film. That experience shaped me into the highly motivated design professional I am today. While I was studying interior architecture in Chicago many of my professors also worked in the field or owned their own business and that inspired me to want to start my own business as well. One thing I really enjoyed was space planning for projects I was working on in college and a friend at the time told me to look into home staging. Once I researched it more, it was really intriguing to me because of the fast paced nature and hands on work. I was able to lock down an internship at a staging company in the suburbs of Chicago and I absolutely loved it. I completely fell in love with what I was doing every day and that is when I knew I would start my own staging business. Once I graduated college, I was ready to take on the world, but I had something that needed to be taken care of first. In the fall after graduating, I needed to have spinal fusion surgery. I had scoliosis since I was young and it was progressively getting worse no matter what I would do to prevent it. The surgery was more extensive than planned. I had 16 vertebrae fused and I almost did not make it out of surgery. I was in the hospital for 10 days before I could go home and the long recovery from there started. My surgeon told me the recovery time would be about 1.5 years, but after 3 months I was able to get a design internship at a firm in Chicago, however, I decided designing at a firm wasn’t for me. After discussing with my family, I began writing my business plan for LUX Staging & Design (LUX). Then after consulting with the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago, LUX was launched! A couple months later I had my first staging installation and it was such an exciting and refreshing feeling for me. I was struggling with accepting my new way of life since my back surgery, but my staging business gave me hope of being happy. I enjoy helping home owners stage their homes if it is vacant for sale and also giving suggestions on space planning and design suggestions in occupied homes for sale. The most recent home I staged was under contract in 48 hours! I am so grateful for my life and the opportunity to own a staging business because I get to live what I love.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
For the most part, it has been a smooth road. Thankfully, there has not been any major struggles yet. [Knock on wood].
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the LUX Staging & Design story. Tell us more about the business.
LUX Staging & Design is a full-service real estate staging company providing services in the suburbs of Chicago. LUX is here to maximize your property’s sales potential and minimize your time on the market. To achieve this, our design professionals transform each space into an appealing environment to potential buyers as well as ensuring our clients receive the individual attention they deserve throughout the process. Our designs at LUX balance refined features and a timeless atmosphere with a modern touch. We provide staging services for residential homes and focus our design expertise on capturing the beauty of our clients’ properties. LUX Staging & Design will help you sell your property quicker and for top dollar! We currently specialize in smaller properties for vacant home staging and occupied home staging. I think LUX is known for the friendly and accommodating service we provide as well as the beautiful furniture and accessories we install in homes. I am most proud of how LUX has grown since starting. We are set apart from other staging companies because we have updated furniture and decor and I am personally making sure all my clients are happy.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think for the most part I have had good luck with my business. Of course there are some times when something doesn’t work out, but I see that as an opportunity for something better to come along.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.luxstagingdesign.com
Image Credit:
Chicago Home Photos
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