Michelle Burrola the Faces of Tucson AZ

Michelle Burrola

I’m Michelle Burrola, owner of AZ Staging and Design. I attended the University of Arizona (GO Wildcats!) for undergrad and graduate school and studied visual perception. I have always loved psychology and learning about “the why” that drives human behavior. My graduate research focused on how the brain perceives financial value in a 3D space on a 2D (flat) screen.

At the same time I was conducting this research, I was looking to buy a home. Ironically, I would scroll zillow at night, trying to find photos of a home that appealed to me and looked worth the price. So here I was, trying to perceive financial value of 3D spaces (homes) on my 2D screen (phone).

Quickly these two domains of my life intertwined and I found myself wanting to help home owners better communicate financial value of what is most likely their most expensive asset. I enjoy teaching my clients and agents about the psychology behind why staging works and how it increases a seller’s return on investment.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband, Ivan Burrola, and I have two little boys who love to create and play.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Other than student and mother, staging has been my only career. I do consider myself a full-time cheerleader for other female business owners and entrepreneurs. I love the challenge and creativity that my business provides me with. Endless mental and creative exercise.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love eating street tacos. Karamelo King has been my favorite local place for the last decade.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Tucson for 12 years now!

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I would have a hard time narrowing it down to one person, so I’ll go with a small group. The women in Tucson are incredible. I’ve made life long female friends who see me, support me and love me and my connections with them are incredible.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
If I could travel anywhere right now, it would be the future. I would like to get a peek at what 5, 10, 15 years down the road looks like so I can wisely move forward.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I am a reality tv junkie.

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Work to build a supportive network of family and friends, those connections feed you and heal you.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to get back into distance running and compete in a race again.

Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Always and forever Josh Groban.

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Home Stager

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would take Michael Phelps to Karamelo King and eat tacos and ask him about his mindset.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I like the small town feel of Tucson without actually having a very small population.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5-10 years I see myself advocating for the people and things I love and doing so with assured clarity.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have created floorplans, built and decorated homes in my mind to fall asleep at night since I was in elementary school.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Pamilacan, a tiny island off the coast of Manila, Philippines.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I love Halloween and fall time in parts of the country that have deciduous trees.

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Watching my children try something new and seeing the spark when they figure it out.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My spouse inspires me to grow and try new things and take risks. His encouragement and support sets me up to explore new ideas, new people and even new technology (with much coaxing and reluctance)!

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I like the smell of grass, I grew up in Seattle and I miss green grass.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
family, comfort, good food.

For All That You Do,
Thank you Michelle Burrola from The Faces of Tucson.
We Appreciate You