Who Is Karen Laine? The Incredible True Story of Mina Starsiak Hawk’s Mother

Karen Laine is an American television personality, former defense attorney, and businesswoman best known for co-starring alongside her daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk, on the hit HGTV series Good Bones. Born on October 8, 1962, in Richmond, Indiana, Karen built a distinguished legal career before pivoting to home renovation and reality television, proving that reinvention is possible at any stage of life. Her warmth, creativity, and resilience made her a fan favourite across eight seasons of the show.

Bio Table: Karen Laine at a Glance

Detail	Information
Full Name	Karen Elaine Laine (born Karen Elaine Thompson)
Date of Birth	October 8, 1962
Birthplace	Richmond, Indiana, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White
Zodiac Sign	Libra
Height	5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Hair Color	Blonde
Eye Color	Blue
Education	Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indiana University
Profession	TV Personality, Former Defense Attorney, Businesswoman
Known For	HGTV’s Good Bones
Company	Two Chicks and a Hammer, Inc. (co-founded 2008)
Children	Mina Starsiak Hawk, William, CR, Kelsy
Marriages	Four (Casey Starsiak, Randy, Mick, Roger Rominger)
Current Status	Single (divorced from Roger in 2023)
Net Worth	Approx. $2 million (as of 2025)
Social Media	Instagram: @kelaine217

Early Life and Education

Karen Elaine Thompson grew up in Richmond, Indiana, where she was raised with strong values of hard work and community. Details about her parents and siblings remain largely private, but her upbringing clearly shaped the determined woman she became. She attended a local high school before going on to study law at the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, graduating and passing her Bar Examination.

Her academic background set the foundation for a serious legal career. She carried the name “Laine” after her marriages, and the name stuck as her professional identity long after her personal circumstances changed.

Legal Career

Karen launched her professional life as a defense attorney in Indianapolis. She began her legal career in 1990 at the Cohen and Malad firm, working as an associate attorney. Over the years, she served as a Deputy Prosecutor for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and later moved to Jensen Law, where she handled criminal defense, family law, mediation, and guardian ad litem services.

Her legal career earned her respect among peers and demonstrated her analytical mind and dedication to justice. Even after transitioning into home renovation and television, Karen revealed in a 2017 interview that she still maintained her legal licence, practicing on a part-time basis.

The Birth of Two Chicks and a Hammer

In 2007, Karen’s daughter Mina purchased her first home for $37,500. The property needed significant work, and Mina turned to her mother for help. The two women threw themselves into the renovation project and discovered a shared passion neither had anticipated. That single house sparked the idea for a business.

In 2008, Karen and Mina officially co-founded Two Chicks and a Hammer, Inc., a home rehabilitation company based in Indianapolis. The company focused on buying neglected properties in neighbourhoods like Fountain Square and Bates-Hendricks, restoring them into beautiful family homes. Their approach combined practical renovation skills with a genuine love for community revitalisation.

Good Bones and HGTV Stardom

In 2014, production company High Noon Entertainment discovered Two Chicks and a Hammer and reached out to the duo. Their chemistry, authenticity, and passion translated perfectly to television. Good Bones premiered on HGTV on March 22, 2016, and quickly attracted millions of viewers, drawing more than 14 million in its first season alone.

The show ran for eight seasons and earned a devoted following. Karen brought her creative flair to each renovation, often repurposing materials found in the homes and incorporating work by local artists. The series also spawned a spinoff, Good Bones: Risky Business, and a special, Good Bones: Better Yard, which highlighted Karen’s passion for landscaping and outdoor spaces.

Retirement and Life After the Show

In October 2019, Karen announced her retirement from Two Chicks and a Hammer after more than a decade with the company. She cited a desire to spend more quality time with her then-husband Roger and pursue her personal interests, including sailing, gardening, riding her Harley-Davidson, golfing, and keeping chickens.

She continued to appear on Good Bones through its later seasons in a reduced capacity, focusing on DIY and landscaping projects rather than full renovations. After the show ended in August 2023, Karen relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina, where she purchased and began renovating a new home. She also launched a YouTube channel under the name Karen E. Laine, sharing vlog-style content about her retirement lifestyle.

Personal Life and Marriages

Karen’s personal life has been eventful. She has been married four times. Her first husband was Casey Starsiak, an orthopaedic surgeon, with whom she had three children: Mina, William, and CR. After their divorce, Casey remarried, and Karen remained on cooperative co-parenting terms with him.

Her second marriage was to Randy, with whom she had a daughter named Kelsy. Her third marriage to a man named Mick also ended in divorce. She then met Roger Rominger, and the two married sometime between 2017 and 2020, celebrating their anniversary on September 23. During their marriage, Roger was diagnosed with cancer, and Karen supported him faithfully through chemotherapy while continuing to film the show. Their marriage ultimately ended in 2023, with Karen citing incompatible visions for retirement as the primary reason.

Her Relationship With Mina Today

The mother-daughter relationship between Karen and Mina has not always been straightforward. In August 2023, Mina publicly revealed on her podcast Mina AF that she and Karen had stopped speaking. Mina acknowledged that their bond was never a traditional close mother-daughter relationship, saying the two had never shared the kind of dynamic where she looked to Karen as a safe haven.

However, by January 2026, Mina offered a more hopeful update in an interview with People magazine. She described their relationship as “amicable,” confirming they spent the 2025 holidays together. “We’re not like best friends that braid each other’s hair on Saturday nights,” Mina said, “but no, it’s good.” The slow repair of their bond reflects the complexity of family relationships that often play out beneath the surface of public life.

Net Worth and Business Legacy

Karen Laine’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $2 million as of 2025, accumulated through her combined careers in law, television, and real estate. Her income streams have included her legal work, her share of Two Chicks and a Hammer’s profits, her HGTV salary, and income from her YouTube channel and social media presence.

The legacy of Two Chicks and a Hammer endures through Mina, who continues to run the company and now completes around 14 houses per year. The business that Karen helped build from a single fixer-upper has transformed entire Indianapolis neighbourhoods and inspired countless viewers to believe in the power of community-focused renovation.

Conclusion

Karen Laine’s story is one of reinvention, grit, and genuine passion. From courtroom attorney to HGTV star, she built two successful careers and raised a family while navigating a complicated personal life with grace. Her impact on Good Bones, on the neighbourhoods of Indianapolis, and on the viewers who followed her journey for nearly a decade remains lasting and real.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Karen Laine?

Karen Laine is an American television personality, former defense attorney, and co-founder of Two Chicks and a Hammer. She is best known for co-starring on HGTV’s Good Bones alongside her daughter Mina Starsiak Hawk.

2. How old is Karen Laine?

Karen Laine was born on October 8, 1962, making her 63 years old as of 2025.

3. Why did Karen Laine leave Good Bones?

Karen retired from Two Chicks and a Hammer in 2019 to spend more time with her husband and pursue personal interests. Good Bones ended after its eighth season in August 2023.

4. Does Karen Laine have a good relationship with Mina Starsiak Hawk?

After a period of estrangement in 2023, Mina confirmed in January 2026 that she and Karen are on amicable terms and spent the 2025 holidays together, though they are not yet close.

5. What is Karen Laine’s net worth?

Karen Laine’s estimated net worth is approximately $2 million as of 2025, earned through her legal career, television work, and home renovation business.

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