Claim OwnershipTrade Tales
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Business of Home's editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen talks to interior designers about nurturing creativity, finding a firm’s financial footing, setting goals and discovering their own version of success as a result.
132 Episodes
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Michael Hilal joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer about how to prioritize project photography after missing out on the opportunity to shoot a great job. San Francisco–based Hilal explains how he knows when it’s time to photograph a project, why he no longer feels the pressure to photograph everything he designs, and how to strategically leverage a firm’s best work to further your business goals.
Anne McDonald made a big push a few years back to take her firm to the next level—toward bigger projects, more robust budgets, and new opportunities. The process required not only refining her team, but also learning to trust her own abilities. On this episode of the podcast, the Minneapolis, Minnesota–based designer shares why bringing on a CFO has helped her look toward the future, how she is navigating a shift towards smaller projects, and how her team is adjusting to a new pace of work.LINKSAnne McDonald Kaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Jean Liu joins the show to answer a question from a designer who is wondering whether or not to pass along vendor processing fees to clients. The Dallas–based designer jumps in with advice on communicating additional fees to clients in a pre-invoice estimate, the value of using credit cards as a form of consumer protection and preparing for tariff-related fees.LINKSJean LiuKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Dwayne Bergmann’s multifaceted approach to business growth has included everything from repping cabinet lines and cofounding a slab importing company to acquiring another Florida designer’s firm. He shares how, despite his passion for expansion, he now finds himself more in the weeds than ever when it comes to creative work.LINKSDwayne BergmannKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Brian Paquette joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer who wanted to know the best way to protect items in storage for her clients. The Seattle-based designer jumps in with advice on vetting storage partners, how warehouse insurance can result in profitability for both parties, and why the design business is 95 percent execution and logistics. This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSBrian PaquetteKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Michelle Gage found herself fast-approaching the point of burnout several years ago. In response, she threw herself into the process of remaking her business—overhauling back-end systems and making high-level hires in order to rekindle the sense of enjoyment that drew her to design in the first place. Elsewhere in this episode, she also shares the book that transformed her approach to leadership, the benefits of hiring a brand manager and how she educates clients on the costs of design.LINKSMichelle GageKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Bria Hammel joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer in need of advice as she embarks on an overhaul of her payment processes, especially amid a recent shift to charging flat fees. Minnestoa–based Hammel jumps in with tips on aligning payments with various phases of the design process, why every firm’s first hire should be an accounting position, and the go-to management software that keeps everything in order.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSBria HammelKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Chloe Redmond Warner realized several years ago that she had reached a breaking point. To get back to herself, she took a four-month sabbatical, with the hopes of returning to her firm as a better designer, and a better leader, too. The result wasn’t exactly what she was expecting, but it gave her the clarity she needed to change the way she worked.LINKSChloe Redmond WarnerKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Designers Arianne Bellizaire and Cortney Bishop joined host Kaitlin Petersen for a live episode of the show—recorded during Spring High Point Market—to dish out advice on topics including when to start talking about design costs with prospective clients, what it takes to scale the receiving arm of your business and how to deal with an unreliable contractor. At the end, the designers fielded live questions from the audience on topics ranging from building a design team to discussing photography with reluctant clients.LINKSArianne BellizaireCortney BishopKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
When Meg Lonergan embarked on her design career, it seemed that her biggest hurdle was demonstrating to the rest of the design industry that despite her nontraditional education and early career experiences, she was just as talented and qualified as any other successful firm owner. Then, a near-total firm meltdown during the pandemic led her to a stunning realization: The biggest obstacle standing in the way of her firm’s growth was herself. LINKSMeg LonerganKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Meagan Camp joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer in need of advice on streamlining her procurement process as she takes on a larger project load. The New York designer jumps in with tips on building storage costs into client budgets from the beginning, her vetting process for new receivers and the organizational system that ensures every item gets to the right place.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSMeagan CampKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Alex Kaehler found herself with a rush of new work an opportunity to really scale her business during the pandemic boom—but soon realized that the way the firm was growing didn’t leave her feeling fulfilled. Stressed and stretched thin, she decided to push pause on her business—even if that meant winding down active projects and handing them off to other firms. In the quiet that followed, she was able to finally discover what was missing, and establish a new set of intentions to guide her path forward.This episode was sponsored by Lutron and Serena & Lily. LINKSAlex KaehlerKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Amy Storm joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer in need of advice on working with a contractor who is consistently missing the mark. The Glen Ellyn, Illinois designer jumps in with advice on when to be transparent with clients about jobsite issues, how frequently communicating updates can protect your firm, and red flags that indicate whether or not it’s worth walking away from a contractor relationship.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSAmy StormKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Adam Hunter’s first career on Broadway gave way to a second act in design, where he’s tapping into his talent for selling a vision. With candor, he shines a bright light on the real costs of design at a certain echelon of the industry. He also explains how a shift toward cultivating deeper relationships helped him find the right size for his firm, why landing celebrity clients isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be, and why he’s thinking bigger as he embarks on the next stage of his career.This episode was sponsored by Lutron and Serena & Lily. LINKSAdam HunterKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Emilie Munroe joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer who is wondering how to approach the client vetting process, and wants to know if she should be charging for a consultation before the client signs onto a project. The San Francisco–based designer jumps in with advice on why vetting is a two-way interview, how charging for consultations can cloud your firm’s end goal, and what it means to embrace client rejection.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSEmilie MunroeKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Bella Mancini’s firm was flying high for nearly two decades when the pandemic hit, shattering her project pipeline. With a bit of outside help, she embarked on an overhaul of her systems, ultimately building back a business that’s prepared for whatever comes next. On this episode of Trade Tales, she explains how she overhauled her firm’s processes with the help of a business coach, why it’s crucial that clients communicate with every member of her team and how ditching a markup has transformed her business for the better.This episode was sponsored by Dallas Market Center and Crate & Barrel. LINKSBella Mancini Kaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Kevin Isbell joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer who reached out with the story of an order gone awry, and is now looking for advice on what it takes to make things right for clients while also holding vendors accountable. The Los Angeles–based designer jumps in with advice on vetting vendors, navigating expensive mistakes, and ensuring that the client’s experience comes first—no matter the cost.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSKevin IsbellKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Britt and Damian Zunino are a husband-and-wife duo whose creative partnership was a perfect match—bringing together expertise in architecture and design to create spaces where each discipline informs the other. But as the years went on, they realized they couldn’t do it alone—it would take a carefully curated team to produce the kind of results they had always dreamed of.This episode was sponsored by Dallas Market Center and Crate & Barrel. LINKSStudio DB Kaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Victoria Sass joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer who is hoping to land her young firm’s first magazine feature. She has a project she’s excited to share with the world—but finding press placement has been a challenge. The Minneapolis-based designer jumps in with advice on different approaches to working with a public relations agency, how digital placement can actually yield longer-term results for your business and why local press contains a wealth of value that’s often overlooked.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands.LINKSVictoria SassKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
Pulp Studios was born when Beth Dotolo and Carolina Gentry bonded over similar aesthetics—despite their very different working styles. On this episode of Trade Tales, they explain what it takes to operate a firm with employees and offices across the country, and how they’ve leveled up their approach to team development over the years.This episode was sponsored by Surya and The Shade Store.LINKSPulp StudiosKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
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