
Karen E Laine, the mother in the mother-daughter duo that founded Two Chicks and a Hammer, announced her retirement from the company in 2019. She cited her desire to spend more time with her husband and pursue hobbies such as sailing and gardening. Karen's retirement from the family business did not signal the end of her reality TV career, as she continued to appear on HGTV's Good Bones and its spinoffs. However, her relationship with her daughter and co-founder, Mina Starsiak Hawk, has been described as fraught and challenging.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement from Two Chicks and a Hammer | 30 September 2019 |
| Reason for retirement | To spend more time with her husband, Roger, and to focus on her hobbies, including sailing, fishing, mushroom hunting, kite flying, yoga, camping, hiking, gardening, riding her motorcycle, and attending music festivals |
| Continuation of TV appearances | Yes, on Good Bones, Good Bones: New Beginnings, Brother vs. Brother, and Building Brady |
| Continuation of involvement in Two Chicks and a Hammer | Partial; she will be working on Good Bones DIYs |
| Future career plans | Studying at divinity school to pursue dream of becoming a preacher |
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What You'll Learn
- Karen E Laine co-founded Two Chicks and a Hammer with her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk, in 2007
- Before starting the company, Karen worked as an attorney
- Karen stepped back from the company in 2019 but continued to appear on Good Bones
- Karen's retirement gave her more time to pursue her hobbies, including sailing, fishing, and gardening
- Karen's decision to leave the family business was due to her desire to spend more time with her husband, Roger

Karen E Laine co-founded Two Chicks and a Hammer with her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk, in 2007
Before starting the company, Karen worked as a full-time attorney for over a decade. Even after launching Two Chicks and a Hammer, she continued her legal practice. In a 2017 interview, she stated that she was "sorta on sabbatical" from law. Karen's legal expertise and business acumen, combined with Mina's passion and skills, formed a strong foundation for their company.
Two Chicks and a Hammer quickly gained recognition for its unique approach to home renovation. The mother-daughter duo focused on improving neighbourhoods by rehabilitating the most run-down houses, one property at a time. Their work in Indianapolis transformed not just individual homes but also entire communities. This novel concept attracted the attention of HGTV, and Karen and Mina were offered their own show, "Good Bones," which premiered in 2016.
Despite her success in the home renovation industry, Karen faced sexism and scepticism from some men in the industry. However, she refused to tolerate disrespect and proved her capabilities through her work. In 2019, Karen announced her retirement from the family business, expressing her desire to pursue other interests and spend more time with her family. She continues to appear on "Good Bones" and its spinoffs, showcasing her ongoing passion for renovation and design.
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Before starting the company, Karen worked as an attorney
Karen E. Laine, co-founder of the home renovation company Two Chicks and a Hammer, worked as an attorney before starting the company with her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk. Karen practised law full-time for over a decade before she began restoring homes. She and her daughter founded Two Chicks and a Hammer in 2007, but Karen did not give up her legal career at that point. In 2017, she told PopSugar: "I am still a practising lawyer, I am sorta on sabbatical... I've gotten rid of most of my clients but I still have a few left."
Karen and Mina started their company when Mina bought her first home and discovered a shared passion for home renovation. They began by renovating Mina's house in their spare time, while holding down other jobs: Karen as a lawyer, and Mina as a waitress. They soon found that they could "do well by doing good in their neighbourhood", and their company was born.
Karen stepped back from the family business in 2019, retiring from Two Chicks and a Hammer to spend more time with her husband, Roger, and her mother, as well as pursuing her hobbies, which include sailing, fishing, mushroom hunting, kite flying, yoga, camping, hiking, gardening, riding her motorcycle, and attending music festivals. However, she has no plans to retire from the reality TV show Good Bones, on which she stars, and will continue to do DIY projects for the programme.
Karen also has plans to begin a fourth career, telling PopCulture that she intends to go back to school – specifically, divinity school – to pursue her dream of becoming a preacher.
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Karen stepped back from the company in 2019 but continued to appear on Good Bones
Karen E. Laine, the mother-daughter duo co-founder of Two Chicks and a Hammer, stepped back from the company in 2019. However, she continued to appear on Good Bones, the HGTV show that followed her and her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk, as they renovated homes in Indianapolis, Indiana, through their company.
Karen announced her retirement from the family business in September 2019, stating that she wanted to spend more time with her husband, Roger, and pursue hobbies such as sailing, fishing, and gardening. Despite stepping back from the company, Karen remained a part of the Good Bones cast, and even planned to take on more DIY projects for the show.
In addition to spending more time with her family and pursuing her hobbies, Karen also had plans to pursue a new career path. She revealed that she would be attending divinity school to fulfil her dream of becoming a preacher.
Karen's retirement and new adventures were featured in the ninth season of Good Bones, which premiered in August 2023. The season included episodes titled "Karen's Beach Bungalow," which followed Karen's journey of buying and renovating a beach bungalow in Wilmington, North Carolina.
While Karen stepped back from the company, her daughter, Mina, continued to play a prominent role in both the business and the show. However, in August 2023, Mina announced that the series was ending due to the strain in their relationship and the stress of the show becoming too much for her. Despite this, HGTV announced that the duo would return for a limited season of Good Bones, with the first episode premiering in August 2023.
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Karen's retirement gave her more time to pursue her hobbies, including sailing, fishing, and gardening
Karen E. Laine, co-founder of the home renovation company Two Chicks and a Hammer, retired from the family business in 2019. She co-founded the company with her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk, in 2007. Karen's retirement gave her more time to pursue her hobbies, including sailing, fishing, and gardening. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Roger, and her chickens.
Karen's decision to step back from the day-to-day operations of the company does not mean she is leaving the public eye. She continues to appear on the HGTV show "Good Bones", which features her and her daughter's home renovation projects. In fact, after her retirement, Karen has taken on new projects for the show, such as renovating a home for herself in Wilmington, North Carolina.
In addition to her ongoing TV work, Karen has expressed interest in pursuing a new career path. She plans to attend divinity school to fulfill her dream of becoming a preacher. This career change will allow her to continue using her strong work ethic and leadership skills in a new domain.
Karen's retirement has also given her the opportunity to explore a variety of hobbies and interests. She enjoys sailing and fishing, as well as gardening and outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Her love for nature is evident in her hobbies, which also include mushroom hunting and kite flying. Karen's free time is well-spent, allowing her to relax and connect with the world around her.
Karen's retirement from Two Chicks and a Hammer has provided her with the freedom to pursue new passions, spend more time with family, and continue her television work. Her story serves as an inspiration for individuals seeking a balanced and fulfilling life, showcasing the importance of prioritizing personal interests and relationships alongside professional pursuits.
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Karen's decision to leave the family business was due to her desire to spend more time with her husband, Roger
Karen E Laine, co-founder of the home renovation company Two Chicks and a Hammer, retired from the family business in 2019. She wanted to spend more time with her husband, Roger, and focus on her hobbies, including sailing and fishing. Karen's decision to leave the company was not due to illness but was driven by a desire to prioritise her personal life and explore new career paths.
Karen E Laine, an attorney by profession, co-founded Two Chicks and a Hammer with her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk, in 2007. The company, based in Indianapolis, focused on renovating homes and quickly gained popularity. Karen's expertise in law and home renovation contributed significantly to the success of the family business. However, in 2019, Karen announced her decision to retire and step back from the day-to-day operations of the company.
In a blog post on the Two Chicks and a Hammer website, Karen shared her excitement about having more time to pursue her hobbies and spend quality time with her loved ones, especially her husband, Roger. She wrote, "I have complete confidence in the company Mina and I founded... I won't be far, and will likely just be puttering in the yard!" Karen's retirement from the family business allowed her to focus on her marriage and strengthen her bond with Roger.
While Karen stepped away from the daily operations of Two Chicks and a Hammer, she remained a vital part of the HGTV show "Good Bones," which featured the mother-daughter duo renovating homes. Karen's retirement provided her with the time and financial resources to pursue her dream of preaching by enrolling in divinity school. She also opened a home décor store called Karen's Corner in Indianapolis in 2020, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and desire to explore new ventures.
Karen's decision to leave the family business was a well-thought-out choice that balanced her professional pursuits and personal life. By prioritising her relationship with her husband, Roger, and exploring new career paths, Karen demonstrated her commitment to continuous growth and her passion for living a fulfilling life. Her retirement from Two Chicks and a Hammer marked a new chapter in her life, allowing her to pursue diverse interests and spend quality time with her loved ones.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence to suggest that Karen is sick. She retired from the family business in 2019 to focus on her hobbies and spend more time with her husband.
Karen stepped back from the day-to-day operations of the company in 2019. She continues to appear on the HGTV show Good Bones, focusing on DIYs.
Karen has expressed her desire to pursue a new career path by attending divinity school. She also opened a home décor store called Karen's Corner in Indianapolis in 2020.
Karen decided to retire from the family business to pursue other interests and spend more time with her family. She has expressed excitement about having more time for her hobbies, including sailing, fishing, and gardening.











































