30 Years of Friendship,
One Shared Vision

Two lifelong friends. One shared dream. Creating spaces with purpose, beauty, and heart

From Friends to business partners: 30 yeears of memories and milestones

Our Story

Erica and Lisa have been friends for more than 30 years, with a shared love for design and creating beautiful spaces that inspire. Their journey together began at Nordstrom, where they worked side by side, merchandising floors and styling looks that told a story. It was there that their passion for staging and design truly took root.

Over the years, they always knew they wanted to go into business together—whether it was dreaming up the latest fashion line or collaborating on a creative venture. That vision came to life with Joy Marie & Co., a staging and lifestyle brand built on friendship, creativity, and the belief that every home deserves to feel both stylish and welcoming.

Together, Erica and Lisa bring their eye for detail, love for design, and genuine joy for transforming spaces into every project they touch.

The Journey to Joy Marie & Co.

Early Sparks of Creativity: From Nordstrom to Creative Ventures
Lisa and Erica’s shared love for design began at Nordstrom, where they worked side by side—merchandising floors, styling looks, and discussing all things fashion.
From the beginning, they connected over a mutual appreciation for design and aesthetics. Their shared love for styling—whether it was shoes, bags, or home décor—was a natural bond that only grew over time. They often joked about creating better products and styling options, dreaming about what it would be like to build something together.

Life Takes Turns: A Friendship That Endures
Over the years, life took them on different paths. From moving cities to navigating marriage, children, and the ups and downs of life’s major milestones, Lisa and Erica stayed connected.
Whether it was planning weddings, becoming parents, or supporting one another through personal hardships, their bond grew stronger. Despite living in different cities, they continued to share ideas, support each other through the challenges of single parenthood, and always dreamed about working together.
In the midst of these transitions, the dream of starting a business kept resurfacing, fueled by their mutual love for design, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

The Moment It Clicked: Making the Dream a Reality
The timing was finally right. With children growing older and life giving them more flexibility, Lisa and Erica realized they had the opportunity to bring their dream to life.
It was clear that they both longed for something more fulfilling—something that combined their love for design with their shared experience of resilience. After years of navigating life’s twists and turns, they were ready to take the leap.
And so, Joy Marie & Co. was born—combining their skills, creativity, and love for beautiful, functional spaces.
From a simple conversation to choosing a name, every step was guided by their friendship and mutual passion for creating a lifestyle brand with options for diversifying over time.

Our Mission

At Joy Marie & Co, our mission is to create beautiful, inspiring spaces that feel like home while giving back to the community that has shaped us. As single parents—Lisa navigating life after loss and Erica through divorce—we know firsthand the importance of resilience, support, and having a strong foundation.
That is why a core part of our work is dedicated to supporting organizations that empower and uplift single parents. Through our staging and lifestyle brand, we not only transform homes but also honor the strength of families who are building new chapters, just as we have.
At the heart of Joy Marie & Co is the belief that every space—and every person—deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Meet The Team

Screen Shot 2025-09-21 at 9.13.39 PM.png

Lisa Marie Brugato

Lisa is from Portland, Oregon, and later pursued a degree in Sports Administration at the University of San Francisco. While living in the Bay Area, she met Erica while working in parallel departments at Nordstrom. Their shared passion for fashion, styling, and shopping quickly developed into a lasting friendship. Over the years, Lisa and Erica have grown their bond, navigating life’s milestones together—from relocating to new cities and serving as bridesmaids in each other's weddings to raising children side by side and supporting one another through various challenges.

This enduring friendship, combined with their mutual professional interests, eventually led to the creation of Joy Marie and Co.

Lisa is a proud mother to Sofia and Max. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys cooking, reading, music, and is an enthusiastic fan of sports.

Erica Joy Aller

My love for decorating started when I was just a young girl and that passion has grown stronger over the years. I staged my very first home more than 20 years ago, and since then, I’ve been hooked on the art of transforming spaces into something truly special.

I grew up in the Bay Area, but life has taken me to San Diego, Connecticut, and even the Caribbean—each place giving me a new perspective on design and style. Now I call Sacramento home, where I get to blend those experiences into the work I love.

When I’m not staging or doing something real estate related , you’ll probably find me on the softball field playing coed ball with my husband, or spending time with my family—my three kids and our two dogs who keep us on our toes. Sports, family, and design have always been central to my life, and I bring that same energy and teamwork into every project.

For me, staging isn’t just about decorating—it’s about creating a vision that helps buyers see the full potential of a home.

Let's Create Together!

Please fill out our contact form