HGTV struck gold when they premiered Good Bones back in 2016, a home renovation show that features Mina Starsiak and her mother, Karen Laine! Five short seasons later, the mother daughter duo featured on the show is still wowing viewers with each and every renovation they complete! While they dazzle us on screen, what are they truly like off screen, and what do they get up to during their personal time?
Good Bones provides an intimate look into the ups and downs of refurbishing old homes in need of repair. Like most of HGTV's renovation TV show portfolio, the mother-daughter duo makes decisions about what can be redone and what HAS to be redone based on a budget. Filmed in their hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana the pair use their expertise in all areas to flip homes and help their neighborhood and surrounding areas to look beautiful. They offer viewers a realistic idea of what working on a renovation is really like, including the costs, personal sacrifice, and the difficulty of the physical labor.
The beauty and brains tag-team got their start back in 2008 by focusing on rehabbing a handful of homes in their hometown's historic district—Indianapolis's Fountain Square neighborhood. They quickly realized that they could turn the work into a full time gig and really make a difference in their community. So Mina and Karen created their own company, Two Chicks and a Hammer, and went off on an adventure. Years went by before a recruiter for HGTV discovered their work and offered them their own TV show. Now the pair are nationally recognized and Good Bones is a household name.
Despite their fame and success, they take a surprisingly personalized raw approach that completely suggests their midwestern nature with each home that they flip. Every team that they work with is featured on the show and their social media handles as a way to help recognize them, promote them, and thank them for their hard work. They also make time to assist fans with their own renovation projects. The strong women are both self taught when it comes to the hard manual labor that comes with each renovation and house flip.
However, they insist that, because they are doing this project for the greater good of the neighborhood and not their wallets, they are actually not house flippers at all, but rather home rehabbers helping to heal and beautify the area in which they reside. While serious about their mission and the fact that they put some nasty homes through rehab, the two are known for their witty demeanor on camera. It's evident that they are related. However related doesn't mean same. They each have their own unique personality and flavor when it comes to their individuality.
Mina Starsiak
Mina started out working for tips as a waitress. It's possible that the physical stress of her past career greatly set her up for success when it comes to the manual labor she now does on the show. After quickly realizing her and her mother had a special talent for making homes beautiful, she studied, took the test, and got her real estate license! The first house she designed and rebuilt with her mother was actually her own. This was a major catalyst in her journey. Post-grad, she bought the house for practically nothing and tore it down to the studs. This is when Karen also realized that she loved recreating and reworking old homes as well!
Anther interesting factoid about this red headed beauty is that she has Facebook to thank for two incredible things in her life. The pair was discovered on Facebook and that is how they got their initial offer to start Good Bones! Who would have thought? Of course, in today's world it's not that crazy. She also meant her husband through Facebook. Steve Hawk and Mina met through a mutual friend, and after a bad date and a second redeeming date, the two really hit it off and married in June of 2016. They now share a son named Jack.
Karen E Laine
Once upon a time, long before Good Bones and Two Chicks and a Hammer was started, Karen worked as a defense attorney. While she still dabbles in law from time to time, renovating tired old houses is now her full time gig. Self taught, her moment of realization happened when working with her daughter on renovating their first home. Her design style is very hippie chic and her daughter helps immensely with structuring her ideas and helping to turn them into something all people can enjoy.
She is getting closer and closer to retirement, but this badass women doesn't plan to stop living life anytime soon. She has several hobbies she is excited to further explore in the next chapter of her life. Some of her interests include boating, fishing, and gardening. She's also no stranger to camping, hiking, and riding motorcycles. Her retirement will mean more time to pursue her hobbies but also to spend with family.
Every woman can certainly find a good role model within this mother-daughter pair. They are down to earth and on a mission to impact their community together in a positive way. Starting a business with a mom, daughter, or any other family member can come with difficulties, but these two have never once shown that they don't have a strong relationship or that business comes in the way of their love. It would make sense that such stresses would affect them, but it doesn't seem to be an issue.
Although they had an unconventional start, Mina and Karen have undoubtedly taken over the home renovation industry! Their strong, caring, and creative personalities have won over HGTV's audience. Everyone loves a do-it-yourself kind of individual. These ladies are no stranger to learning the ropes and building up their craft to further help their community. While the two are both certainly amazing on their own, they make truly make the perfect dynamic duo.
Source: HGTV Good Bones, Country Living, House Beautiful, The List