DON'T MISS A THING

Interior designer Cheryl Eisen, founder and CEO of Interior Marketing Group (IMG), shares her journey, vision, and approach to transforming how spaces are experienced—and sold. In this edition of Love Happens’ The Women of…—a series dedicated to the women behind brands they have dreamt of, founded, and built—we step inside her world and the team shaping a new standard in design and real estate.

Few have shaped the intersection of design and real estate quite like Cheryl Eisen. As the founder of Interior Marketing Group (IMG), she has built one of the most influential design and property marketing firms in the United States—redefining how spaces are presented, experienced, and ultimately sold.

What began as a single moment of insight—recognizing that beautifully designed spaces could transform not only perception, but performance—has evolved into a company known for its strategic, results-driven approach and unmistakable visual impact. At Interior Marketing Group, design is not only about how a space looks but also about how it makes people feel and how it performs.

Building on that foundation, Cheryl expanded her vision with Eisen Design House, a natural extension of her creative direction that allows for a more immersive exploration of interior design. Here, spaces are crafted with the same level of intention and sophistication, while placing a deeper emphasis on fully realized, lived-in environments.

Blending creativity with business acumen, Cheryl approaches each project with precision—where every detail is designed to resonate, and every space is created to evoke an emotional response. That vision is brought to life through a collaborative, predominantly female team of designers, marketers, and creatives, each contributing to a culture rooted in innovation, support, and shared success.

Here, Cheryl shares the journey behind building a company that has transformed an industry—while continuing to expand what comes next.

Cheryl Eisen, The Visionary Woman Behind Interior Marketing Group

When did your love affair with design begin?

My love of design really grew out of a fascination with how people experience space. I’ve always been very visual and very attuned to environments. Early on, I realized that a thoughtfully designed space could completely change how someone feels the moment they walk in the door. That idea—that design can create an emotional response—has always been incredibly exciting to me. It’s still what drives me today.

Tell us a bit about your path and what led to your decision to start Interior Marketing Group?

My path into design wasn’t traditional. I started my career as an entrepreneur in the tech world before the dot-com crash forced me to completely reinvent myself. I eventually moved into real estate, and that’s where I had a realization: beautiful homes were sitting on the market simply because buyers couldn’t visualize their potential.

So I staged one of my own listings almost as an experiment. It sold immediately, at full asking price. That moment changed everything. I realized there was an enormous opportunity to combine design, marketing, and real estate strategy—and that’s how Interior Marketing Group was born.

Do you recall any critical turning point when you realized your business was succeeding?

There were a few moments. One of the first was when brokers began calling us repeatedly for their most important listings. Another was when developers started asking us to work on their most high-profile projects.

When you realize your work isn’t just making a space beautiful—it’s actually helping properties sell faster and for more money—you start to understand that you’ve created something meaningful.

What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?

Building Interior Marketing Group from a one-woman operation into a nationally recognized luxury staging and design firm is something I’m incredibly proud of. What started as a simple idea has grown into a full-scale company with designers, marketers, art specialists, and creatives working together to elevate real estate across the country.

But beyond the projects themselves, I’m most proud of the careers we’ve helped build along the way.

Who has contributed most to your success?

Without a doubt, the team. At IMG, we’ve built an incredibly collaborative culture where designers, marketers, and strategists all contribute their expertise.

I’ve also been fortunate to work with visionary brokers and developers who understand that staging isn’t decoration—it’s a strategic tool that helps sell property.

What surprised you most about growing a business?

How much resilience it requires. Entrepreneurship is not a straight line—it’s full of pivots and reinvention.

The most successful businesses aren’t the ones that avoid challenges; they’re the ones that adapt quickly and continue moving forward.

Tell us about your most demanding client and what you learned from the experience.

Some of the most demanding clients are also the most rewarding to work with. When you’re designing for extremely high-profile properties or very discerning buyers, expectations are incredibly high.

Those experiences taught me to focus on listening carefully, staying flexible, and always keeping the ultimate goal in mind—which is creating an environment that resonates emotionally with buyers.

How do you handle negative feedback or criticism of your work?

I try to view feedback as an opportunity to refine and improve. In design, you can’t take things personally—especially in staging. The goal isn’t to create something that reflects my personal taste; it’s to create something that appeals to the broadest possible audience and ultimately helps sell the home.

If you could have done something different, what would it be?

I don’t spend much time wishing I had done things differently. Life is made up of a million small choices and turns, and any one of them could have sent me down a completely different path.

Of course, there were hard moments, risks that felt scary at the time, and decisions I wasn’t always sure about. But every one of those experiences shaped me—how I lead, how I think, and how I built this business.

When I look at where I am today, I feel incredibly grateful. I’m proud of the company we’ve built, the people who are part of it, and the impact we’ve been able to have.

So if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t change much. Even the uncertain moments were part of the journey that led me exactly where I’m meant to be.

What helps you move forward with your business despite the inevitable struggles?

Vision. I always remind myself why we started and where we’re going. When you stay focused on the bigger picture, the day-to-day challenges become part of the journey rather than obstacles.

Who is Cheryl Eisen, the woman behind Interior Marketing Group?

At heart, I’m an entrepreneur and a creative problem-solver. I love the intersection of design and strategy—where beauty meets business.

But I’m also someone who believes deeply in building teams, mentoring talent, and creating opportunities for others.

When women invest in other women, we all rise together. Do you have any thoughts about the women on your team?

IMG is proudly a predominantly female team, and I think that has shaped the culture of our company in a really positive way. Collaboration, creativity, and support are core to how we work.

When women support one another professionally, it creates incredible momentum—not just within a company but across an entire industry.

What advice would you give someone starting their career in design?

First, stay curious and observant. The best designers are constantly learning from the world around them.

Second, understand the business side of design. Creativity is important, but strategy is what sustains a career.

And finally, be fearless. Develop your voice and trust your instincts.

Do you have any mottos you like to live by?

One idea I come back to often is that design should create an emotional reaction. When someone walks into a space and instantly feels something—that’s when you know the design is working.

What’s next for Cheryl and Interior Marketing Group?

We’re continuing to grow and evolve. The intersection of design, marketing, and real estate is expanding quickly, and we’re exploring new markets and new collaborations.

Our goal is always to stay ahead of the industry and continue creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also help properties sell and succeed.

The Women Leading Interior Marketing Group

Behind Cheryl Eisen’s vision is a group of female department heads—leaders across design, marketing, and creative—who help bring each project to life through strategy, collaboration, and execution.

Cheryl Eisen with IMG’s female department heads

Names (in order of image):

• Elizabeth Shea, Director of Purchasing
• Helen Leon, Regional Business Manager, South Florida
• Shannan Slattery, Director of Design – Eisen Design House
• Marissa Bright, Director of Sales & Business Development
• Ashley Quinn, VP of Creative Services
• Cheryl Eisen, CEO
• Alexis Alvarez, Director of Sales & Business Development
• Faridah Karioki, Logistics Administrator 
• Alexandra Kelly, Director of Photography & Lead Photographer
• Trish Bastidas, Associate Director of Staging Operations
• Lilly Moquin, Art Director

Explore more by Cheryl Eisen and The Women of Interior Marketing Group

All Photos Courtesy of Interior Marketing Group

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