We recently connected with Pantea Bionki and have shared our conversation below.
Pantea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I am 100% happy as a business owner. It’s something I’ve worked hard to maintain through building strong connections, continually educating myself, and ensuring that the work is emotionally fulfilling. Starting this business is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
As for wondering about having a regular job, the thought does cross my mind occasionally, but it never takes more than a few seconds to realize that it’s not for me. Working for someone else often means adhering to a set structure, which limits creativity. I love the freedom to be creative both within my business and in shaping its direction, and I wouldn’t trade that for the constraints of a traditional job.
Pantea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Pantea, the owner and lead designer at Bionki Interiors, an award-winning boutique home staging and interior design firm located in Southern California. I’ve always been drawn to design and the impact it can have on how people experience a space. That passion led me to establish Bionki Interiors, where we specialize in transforming homes to help clients maximize their sale potential. Our services include everything vacant home staging, occupied home staging, occupied home staging consultation, interior design service, and interior design consultations.
One of the key factors that truly sets us apart from others in the industry is my educational background in interior design. Not many home stagers come from this kind of formal training, and it gives us a significant advantage. I’m able to draw from my design expertise to better stage homes, ensuring that every space not only looks aesthetically pleasing but is also functional and harmonious. This unique skillset allows us to elevate our staging projects, creating spaces that truly resonate with potential buyers.
I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve accomplished in the business. There is nothing about the business I regret or would do differently. We’ve been committed to getting things right from the start, whether that means being fully licensed, insured, or part of professional associations like RESA and ASID. We don’t take shortcuts, and though this means slower growth, it’s built on a foundation of doing things the right way.
At Bionki Interiors, we take immense pride in delivering a 5-star, boutique-style experience for our clients. Personal attention, responsiveness, and ensuring every client feels valued are core to our business. We believe that when you hire a professional, you should feel confident you’re getting the absolute best value for your investment.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Our reputation has been built on a foundation of honesty, a strong work ethic, and being consistently responsive and available to our clients. We are committed to delivering 100% satisfaction on every project, and we maintain transparency throughout the process. Being empathetic is also key—we make it a priority to view our clients’ challenges as our own and work to provide the best solutions for them.
We also work closely with our vendors, putting effort into maintaining great relationships. Not only does this help foster a positive, collaborative environment, but it also benefits our clients. Strong vendor relationships ensure we can access high-quality materials, meet tight deadlines, and provide the best possible results for every project.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Referrals have been one of the biggest sources of new clients for us. Happy clients are always eager to share their experiences with family and friends, and we are truly grateful for those personal recommendations. Another key source has been our online presence. Writing blogs, maintaining a professional website, and engaging actively on social media have all proven to be highly effective in reaching new clients. In addition, Google reviews have been incredibly helpful. We always encourage our clients to leave honest feedback, which helps others feel confident in choosing us as their staging or design partner.
Being active in the community is also important to us. My goal when starting this business was to offer a service that was both accessible and affordable to our local community. Working with an interior designer can feel intimidating, with the assumption that it’s only for those with large budgets. I wanted to break that mold by creating a business model that caters to all budgets. That’s why we developed our consultation service for both design and occupied staging. This service, which is reasonably priced, provides clients with a wealth of information and insight, giving them the option to either take on the project themselves or move forward with us. The feedback on this service has been overwhelmingly positive, as it offers something that isn’t widely available in the industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bionkiinteriors.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionki.interiors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIONKI.INTERIORS/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pantea-bionki-59b377227/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bionki-interiors-chino-hills-2
Image Credits
Terry Mag Photography
Dave Yip Photography
Oscar V Photography