As the owners of Sizzle Productions Home Staging, an 18-year-old staging company, Ashley and Phil Stout stage vacant properties across the greater Chicagoland area, catering to homeowners, developers, investors and top-producing real estate professionals. With each project, they strike the right balance between aesthetics and function, making it easy for buyers to envision themselves living in the space.

Now nearly three years into owning Sizzle, Ashley and Phil have staged close to 1,000 properties and worked with over 400 clients. Their ability to work on projects of all sizes makes them great partners for anyone selling unoccupied properties. Sizzle currently has staging in properties with list prices ranging from $150,000 to $3.2 million.

When Ashley and Phil took the business over from the prior owners in 2018, they never expected to face the business challenges presented by the pandemic. But Sizzle navigated the market’s ups and downs and maintained a healthy business while staying committed to clients and employees. “Throughout last year, our team rose to the occasion and made sure our clients received the same level of service they have come to expect,” says Ashley. “I am so grateful for our crew every day and thankful for the fabulous clients who kept us as a key part of their selling strategy. The Realtors who continued to stage saw quick sales throughout 2020 and now 2021.”

Sizzle focuses on providing a stellar customer experience to set themselves apart from other home staging firms. “We want to be the easiest contractor you’ll work with when it comes to prepping your clients’ home for sale,” declares Phil. “It’s the ease and simplicity of working with us, from quote to staging pickup, that keeps our partners and clients coming back.”

When not working, Chicago-area natives Phil and Ashley enjoy spending time with their two young daughters and their extended family, as well as being active outside.