We were lucky to catch up with Cristiane Leite recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cristiane, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I didn’t discover my purpose all at once—it unfolded over years of hands-on experience, challenges, and transformation.
For over 25 years, I’ve worked with homes in every possible way—from cleaning and organizing to designing and remodeling. My journey began with the small things: learning how to care for a home, how to make it feel functional and beautiful. Alongside my late husband, I became deeply involved in real estate, remodeling, and eventually, staging and design.
Together, we started flipping properties and I took on the design of each project—from layout decisions to selecting finishes and creating spaces that would truly sell. It was during these flips that I realized how naturally design came to me. I didn’t just see empty rooms—I saw potential, flow, and emotion. I discovered that I could shape how a space feels, and that feeling could lead someone to say, “This is the one.”
As co-founders of Master Solutions Construction, my husband and I built a strong business serving clients across the DMV. After his sudden passing, I took full responsibility for the company while raising our two young children. I managed the crews, oversaw projects, handled operations—and kept the business moving forward through one of the most difficult seasons of my life.
That’s when my purpose became crystal clear. Through loss, I gained even more strength, and a deeper connection to what I do. I wasn’t just designing and staging homes anymore—I was honoring the life we built, and building something new for myself and my children.
Eleganza Staging and Design became a reflection of everything I’ve learned: the structure and grit from construction, the creativity from designing our own investment properties, and the emotion behind helping others transform a space—whether to sell, rent, or simply start a new chapter.
Today, I pour my experience, passion, and resilience into every project. My purpose is to turn houses into homes, empty rooms into opportunity, and challenges into beauty. And most importantly, to inspire other women to believe in their own ability to rise, create, and lead—even when life throws the unexpected.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Cristiane Leite, the founder of Eleganza Staging and Design and co-owner of Master Solutions Construction, a business I proudly continue to lead following the unexpected loss of my husband and partner. I’m a certified professional stager and decorator with over 25 years of experience in property care, design, and construction—and every step of my journey has shaped the work I do today.
At Eleganza, I specialize in staging vacant homes for sale, designing short-term rentals, and transforming investment properties to help clients maximize their returns. I also offer design consultations and full-service staging for builders, real estate investors, and homeowners across Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. My approach is never one-size-fits-all—I design every project with intention, based on the unique character of the property and the lifestyle of the target buyer or guest.
What makes my work exciting is the transformation. I love walking into a blank space and turning it into something that feels lived in, desirable, and emotionally resonant. Staging isn’t just about filling a room—it’s about telling a story that helps buyers fall in love. For investors and builders, it’s about giving their hard work the presentation it deserves. That’s the beauty of what I do—every project has a purpose and an impact.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my journey is that I’ve built this business from the ground up, not only with my skills but also with resilience. After my husband passed away, I became the sole leader of our construction company, Master Solutions Construction, while continuing to raise two children and grow Eleganza. It hasn’t been easy—but it has been incredibly meaningful. It gave me a deeper purpose and an even stronger drive to succeed, especially as a woman in a male-dominated field.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding both companies. For Eleganza, I’m developing new partnerships with real estate agents and property developers, and I’ve recently added options for investors to either rent or purchase staging inventory depending on their needs. I’m also staging more short-term rentals and boutique commercial spaces—projects that combine function, hospitality, and design in creative ways.
What I want people to know about my brand is this: Eleganza is not just about style—it’s about strategy, care, and results. My clients trust me because I bring experience, transparency, and a personal touch to everything I do. I don’t just make spaces beautiful—I make them valuable.
As for what’s next, I’m exploring ways to give back—mentoring women who want to enter the design or construction industry, and sharing my story to inspire others. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your purpose often comes from your greatest challenges. And I’m proud to say that I’ve turned mine into something that helps others succeed.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three Qualities That Shaped My Journey
Looking back, there are three key qualities that had the biggest impact on my journey: resilience, vision, and adaptability.
1. Resilience
Without question, resilience has been the backbone of my story. Life doesn’t go according to plan, and business doesn’t either. After the sudden loss of my husband, who was not only my life partner but my business partner I had a choice: stop everything or rise. I chose to rise. I took full leadership of our construction company while continuing to grow Eleganza Staging and Design and raise two young children on my own.
My advice: Life will test you, and so will entrepreneurship. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or ideal conditions. Build your mindset to push through hard seasons. Learn from failure. Stay grounded in your purpose, and keep going, especially when it’s hard. That’s when your strength shows up.
2. Vision
Early on, I learned how to see potential in spaces, in people, and in myself. Whether I was remodeling a home, designing a short-term rental, or staging a property to sell, I always had a clear vision of what it could become. That vision helped me connect emotionally with the space and with my clients’ goals.
My advice: Cultivate your ability to “see beyond.” In staging and design, it’s not just about how something looks it’s about what it can become. Learn to read the space, understand your target audience, and create environments that tell a story. The clearer your vision, the more impactful your work will be.
3. Adaptability
Running a business especially in design and construction requires constant problem-solving. Whether it’s shifting timelines, unexpected client requests, or market changes, you have to be flexible and solution-oriented. I’ve worn many hats: designer, manager, crew coordinator, mother, and motivator. I learned how to pivot quickly without compromising quality.
My advice: Be willing to learn and stay open to change. The more skills you develop, the more confident and independent you become. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, ask questions, or take on a challenge you’ve never faced before. Every new experience adds to your value and growth.
Success doesn’t come from perfection it comes from persistence, clarity, and the ability to move with purpose even when the path changes. No matter where you are in your journey, trust that every challenge is preparing you for the next step. Keep building personally and professionally and your purpose will find you.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, I’m always open to partnering and collaborating with like-minded professionals who share a passion for excellence, creativity, and results.
At Eleganza Staging and Design, I collaborate regularly with real estate agents, investors, builders, developers, and property managers who understand the value of high-quality staging and design when it comes to marketing and maximizing property value. I’m especially interested in working with those who are:
Preparing vacant homes for sale or rent
Flipping properties and need design guidance
Launching or upgrading short-term rental units
Managing real estate portfolios that require staging on an ongoing basis
Offering full-scale renovation or new construction projects where design and staging are needed
I also welcome partnerships with photographers, interior product vendors, stylists, and other staging professionals who are interested in collaboration or cross-promotion.
If you’re reading this and think we’d be a good fit to work together, I’d love to connect. You can reach me through my website at www.eleganzastagingdesign.com or send me a message directly on Instagram @eleganzastaging. I’m based in Maryland and serve the broader DMV and Pennsylvania regions, but I’m always open to discussing creative partnerships beyond those areas as well.
Let’s create something beautiful and impactful together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eleganzastagingdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleganzastaging/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eleganzastaging
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristianegislon-79b49229/
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/home/mpVm9L6RjnO3qXRLPcNDlg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/eleganza.staging
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