We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Wanda Colón Hart. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Wanda below.

Wanda, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I’ve been able to make a full-time living from my creative work—but it definitely wasn’t overnight. Right out of college, I worked at a bank and eventually became an AVP. It was a great experience and taught me a lot about business and structure, but deep down I knew my creative side needed an outlet.

Early on, I started acting in New York—doing a few shows and commercials—before making the move to LA. There, I worked as an artist and junior designer while pursuing creative opportunities. Then came a major turning point: I auditioned for HGTV. It was actually my first audition with them, and even though the competition was tough, I landed the job. That really launched the next chapter of my career and gave me a platform to merge creativity, design, and storytelling in a way that felt completely natural to me.

Looking back, I don’t think I could’ve sped up the process—it all built on itself. Each stage, even the banking years, gave me skills that now help me run my own design business and academy. It was all part of the foundation.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Over the years, I’ve worked on everything from residential interiors and home staging to larger commercial projects. I also co-founded The Academy of Home Staging & Design, which trains aspiring designers and stagers how to build successful, real-world businesses. What really sets our Academy apart is that our students learn directly from leaders in the industry—people who are actually doing the work every day. We combine hands-on design training with business and marketing strategies so our graduates leave not just creatively inspired, but fully equipped to make a living doing what they love.

I think what makes my own brand and work unique is that it’s all about connection—connecting people to the potential of their space and, in many ways, to the best version of themselves. Whether it’s transforming a client’s home, helping a student launch a new career, or sharing stories through projects like LoveNotes, I’m most proud of the impact those creative experiences have on others.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about me and my work, it’s that creativity and business can go hand in hand. You can build a life doing what you love, with purpose, professionalism, and a whole lot of heart.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

Oh, I’ve had those moments—believe me. There was a time early in my career when rent was due, I was getting rejection after rejection from auditions, and I honestly didn’t know how I was going to make it. Then one day, I got a call for what they said was a “modeling gig.”

Well… let’s just say it turned out not to be that kind of modeling job—it was an escort business. I was desperate, but I did what any good Catholic Puerto Rican girl would do: I went straight to church. That night I couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning with visions of my mom back in Pennsylvania saying, “Did you hear? Wanda became a hooker in L.A.!”

I didn’t take the job—but I’ll admit, I kept the number… just in case. Luckily, God was listening because right after that, I booked my first national GMC commercial. That check not only saved me from eviction and embarrassment, but it changed everything. A few weeks later, I auditioned for HGTV, and that’s when my career really took off.

That moment taught me that even when you feel like you’re on the edge, something bigger is at work. You just have to keep showing up and believing it’s coming.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, one of the most rewarding part of being a creative—especially as an educator—is being part of someone else’s journey. There’s nothing like watching a new home stager or interior designer walk in on day one, unsure if they can really do this, and then seeing them transform by the end of the week with confidence, skill, and a clear sense of direction.

I love that moment when it clicks—when they realize they can turn their passion into a real career. Being part of that transformation, and knowing I played even a small role in helping them believe in themselves, is the best feeling in the world. It’s what keeps me inspired and reminds me why I started doing this in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theacademyofhomestaging.com www.lovenotesberks.com
• Instagram: @TheDesignRules
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wandancolon?
• Linkedin: Wanda Colón
• Twitter: @TheDesignRules
• Other: Tik Tok Wanda Colón Hart