Mina Starsiak Hawk Opens Up About The Challenges Of Running Two Chicks And A Hammer

Listen, folks, if you’ve been tuning into the "Mina AF" podcast, you’re probably already aware that Mina Starsiak Hawk, star of HGTV's Good Bones, laid it all out there during an episode on Monday, September 4. The showbiz life, the family dynamics—it’s all a lot. Mina didn’t mince words when she discussed a rift with her family and the sheer weight of running her business, Two Chicks and a Hammer. It’s hard out there, and Mina’s ready to let us in on the real deal.

What’s Behind That Serious Look on Good Bones?

At 36 years old, Mina’s not just the bubbly TV personality we see on screen. She’s also the backbone of the business. Fans have noticed her more serious demeanor lately, and she’s here to explain. “People have been saying I look angry on the show,” Mina admitted. For context, she shares the screen with her mom, Karen E. Laine, alongside a talented cast including Austin Aynes, Tad Starsiak, Cory Miller, and MJ Coyle. But beneath the design magic, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.

Running the Show—and the Business

“I have all the risk,” Mina explained. “Everyone else is having fun, getting paid to be there. But here’s the deal: I own the company.” Back in 2007, Mina discovered her love for home design after college and started Two Chicks and a Hammer with her mom. Fast forward to 2019, and Karen decided to retire from the day-to-day operations, though she’s still a beloved cast member on Good Bones.

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As the sole owner now, Mina’s responsibilities are immense. “I pay the liability insurance, own the properties, pay the contractors, and handle workers’ comp insurance. I carry all the weight of what you see on TV,” she said. And she’s not complaining—she’s just giving us a glimpse into why she might not be the most relaxed person on set. “This is why I’m so damn cranky all the time,” she joked, but with a serious undertone.

The Pressure Mounts

With Good Bones wrapping up its final season, fans are curious about what’s next for Mina. But before we speculate, let’s hear more about the day-to-day grind. “It’s easy for mom and Cory to have fun because they show up, get paid, and sleep well at night,” Mina explained. Meanwhile, she’s the one worrying about every detail, from construction timelines to budget constraints. “It’s not about tooting my own horn—it’s about explaining why I can’t just be the one having fun,” she added.

Mina’s also juggling her role as a mom to two kids, Jack and Charlotte, with her husband, Steve Hawk. “There’s so much pressure because what I do affects everything,” she shared. “It’s not just about the houses—it’s about my family’s finances, my kids’ futures, and my reputation as a person.”

A Family Struggle Amid Success

Just a few days before opening up about her business, Mina revealed some tough truths about her family life. “We all put on our big kid pants and pretend to be nice, but then we go back to our corners and talk trash about each other,” she confessed during an August 28 podcast episode. “My mom and I aren’t in a great place. My brother Tad and I aren’t in a great place. My brother William and I barely communicate. It’s complicated, even when it doesn’t need to be.”