Lucas Delgado
Two Chicks and a Hammer, founded by mother-daughter duo Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk, has renovated and sold numerous houses in Indianapolis, particularly in Fountain Square, Fletcher Place, and Bates-Hendricks. The company gained popularity through their HGTV show Good Bones, which premiered in 2016 and showcased their home renovation journey. As of 2019, the duo has renovated about 90 houses within a two-mile radius of their headquarters, with Mina completing around 14 houses annually. One of their renovated homes, located in the Bates-Hendricks neighborhood, is listed on Airbnb, offering guests a unique experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founders | Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk |
| Year founded | 2007 |
| Number of houses renovated | 70+ as of 2019 |
| Areas of renovation | Fountain Square, Bates Hendricks, and the surrounding areas |
| Number of houses renovated per year | 13-14 |
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What You'll Learn
Two Chicks and a Hammer's headquarters in Indianapolis
Two Chicks and a Hammer is a house renovation company founded by mother-daughter duo Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk. The company was founded in 2007 when Mina, a recent graduate of Indiana University, bought a house and, with the help of her mother, renovated it. They soon discovered a shared passion for home renovation and began working on 2-3 houses per year in their downtime.
The company is based in Indianapolis and primarily renovates homes in Fountain Square, Bates Hendricks, and the surrounding areas. They have an unofficial motto of "rehabbing neighbourhoods rather than flipping houses", and since their founding, they have renovated about 90 houses within a two-mile radius of their headquarters.
In 2014, the company was approached by High Noon Entertainment, who filmed a pilot for HGTV. The pilot, titled "Two Chicks and a Hammer", aired in May 2015, and the company began filming the first season of their show, now known as "Good Bones", in July of that same year.
In addition to their renovation work, Two Chicks and a Hammer also opened a decor store, District Co., in the Bates-Hendricks neighbourhood in 2019. The store features a beer and wine bar, and the company website sells a candle with the official scent of the store—a mix of bourbon and caramel accents.
Mina now works on renovating homes full-time and is able to complete around 14 houses per year. The company's mission statement is to "Revitalize Indianapolis One Property at a Time", and they have found success in doing well by doing good in their neighbourhood.
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The mother-daughter team's journey
The mother-daughter team of Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk are the co-founders of Two Chicks and a Hammer, Inc. They began their journey of rehabbing homes in 2007 when Mina bought a house that needed renovation. Mina had just graduated from Indiana University, and with all her friends having grown-up jobs, she wanted to feel like a grown-up too. So, with the help of her mother, Karen, she purchased her first home. Together, they did not just renovate the house but also discovered a passion for home renovation. They started working on 2-3 houses per year in their downtime between their day jobs as a lawyer and waitress.
In 2014, their company was found by High Noon Entertainment, which filmed a pilot for HGTV. The pilot aired in May 2015 under the name "Two Chicks and a Hammer". In July 2015, they began filming the first season of the show, which was renamed "Good Bones". The show premiered in 2016 and quickly gained popularity, with the mother-daughter duo gaining a legion of loyal fans.
As of 2019, Two Chicks and a Hammer had renovated about 90 houses within a two-mile radius of their headquarters in Indianapolis. They focus on renovating homes in Fountain Square, Bates Hendricks, and the surrounding areas. They have also opened a decor store, District Co., in the Bates-Hendricks neighborhood. Mina and Karen's journey with Two Chicks and a Hammer has not been without challenges. In 2019, the company reached a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over alleged violations depicted on their HGTV show "Good Bones". The EPA alleged that they had worked on three homes built before 1978 without complying with the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule. However, Mina stated that they had always taken all precautions when dealing with hazardous materials during demolition, and that this part of the process was not shown on TV as it was not considered interesting enough.
Despite this setback, Two Chicks and a Hammer continue to thrive, with Mina now able to complete around 14 houses per year since Karen's retirement from the business in 2019. Their journey has inspired and entertained many, and their unique style and passion for home renovation continue to captivate audiences and create beautiful spaces.
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Mina Starsiak Hawk's life as a new mother
Mina Starsiak Hawk, co-founder of Two Chicks and a Hammer, and her mother, Karen E. Laine, have renovated about 90 houses within a two-mile radius of the company's headquarters. The mother-daughter duo rose to fame with their HGTV show, Good Bones, which ran for eight seasons from 2016 to 2023. The show followed their journey as they flipped houses in their hometown of Indianapolis, transforming worn-down properties into fabulous homes.
In addition to her role as a mother, Mina has been open about her unconventional childhood and the challenges of working with family. She has discussed her childhood experiences and the impact they have had on her parenting journey on her podcast, "Mina AF". Mina has also reflected on her relationship with her mother, Laine, acknowledging their differences in aspirations and the complexities of their dynamic. Despite their on-screen success, Mina and Laine faced difficulties behind the scenes, and Mina has spoken about the challenges of navigating interpersonal family dynamics while running a business together.
Mina's life as a new mother has been intertwined with her career in home renovation. She has balanced motherhood with her passion for transforming houses and improving neighbourhoods. In an interview, Mina shared the challenges of managing the pace of her renovation projects while setting aside funds for new ventures. She also expressed her awareness of the ripple effects of her company's work, addressing the concerns of gentrification and displacement of lower-income residents.
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The duo's motto and impact on neighbourhoods
Two Chicks and a Hammer, Inc. was founded by mother-daughter duo Karen E Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk. They began renovating homes in 2007 when Mina bought a house and renovated it with her mother's help. They discovered a shared passion for home renovation and started working on 2-3 houses a year in their downtime. The duo focuses on renovating homes in Fountain Square, Bates Hendricks, and the surrounding areas in Indianapolis.
Their motto is to "Revitalize Indianapolis One Property at a Time", reflecting their commitment to rehabbing neighbourhoods rather than just flipping houses. They have successfully renovated about 90 houses within a two-mile radius of their headquarters, significantly contributing to the revitalisation of these neighbourhoods.
The duo is mindful of the impact their work has on the surrounding community. Mina Starsiak Hawk acknowledges the ripple effect of their projects, where a house purchased for $50,000 can become a $300,000 listing after their renovations. This dynamic often leads to rising property values and potential gentrification, which can displace lower-income residents. However, Starsiak Hawk emphasises that they are not out-of-state investors merely seeking profits. They live in these neighbourhoods and care about their long-term well-being.
To address these concerns, Two Chicks and a Hammer have established a nonprofit arm dedicated to meeting the needs of the Bates-Hendricks and other neighbourhoods in Indianapolis. Their work has attracted attention, with the company being featured on HGTV's "Good Bones" and facing scrutiny from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over alleged violations. Despite this, they continue to leave a lasting impact on the neighbourhoods they serve, improving properties and striving to benefit the community as a whole.
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The 2019 mayoral campaign
The campaign marked an unexpected foray into politics for the home renovation company, which was founded in 2007 when Mina Starsiak Hawk bought her first home with help from her mother, Karen E. Laine. They discovered a shared passion for home renovation and began rehabbing houses in their downtime between their day jobs as a lawyer and a waitress.
By 2019, when the company became entangled in the mayoral race, Two Chicks and a Hammer had already gained significant traction. They were discovered by High Noon Entertainment in 2014, which filmed a pilot for HGTV that aired in May 2015 under the name "Two Chicks and a Hammer." The show was later renamed "Good Bones" and premiered in 2016, quickly becoming one of the best shows on HGTV.
The success of the show brought attention to the company's work in Indianapolis, particularly in the Fountain Square, Bates Hendricks, and surrounding areas. By April 2019, Two Chicks and a Hammer had renovated over 70 homes, with that number expected to grow by the end of the year. Starsiak Hawk estimated that the company completed about 13 to 14 houses annually, investing in and renovating properties before selling them to fund their next projects.
The company's rapid growth and transformation of neighbourhoods did not come without concerns. Rising property values due to their renovations were associated with gentrification and the potential displacement of lower-income residents. In 2019, the company also faced scrutiny from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which alleged that they had worked on three homes built before 1978 without complying with the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule. This resulted in a settlement that included a $40,000 fine and a video starring Starsiak Hawk about renovations involving lead-based paint.
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Frequently asked questions
Starsiak Hawk and Laine, the duo behind Two Chicks and a Hammer, have renovated about 90 houses within a two-mile radius of their headquarters.
The mother-daughter duo primarily renovates homes in Fountain Square, Bates Hendricks, and the surrounding areas in Indianapolis.
Mina Starsiak Hawk, who now works full-time on renovating homes, can complete around 14 houses a year. Before her mother Karen's retirement in 2019, they would work on 2-3 houses a year alongside their day jobs.
You can watch their TV show "Good Bones" on HGTV or follow them on social media to get exclusive behind-the-scenes details. You can also stay in a Two Chicks and a Hammer home in the Bates-Hendricks neighborhood, which is available on Airbnb.
Two Chicks and a Hammer strip houses down to the studs and start fresh. They focus on renovating dilapidated homes and transforming them into beautiful spaces.
