Trade Tales

Josh Greene took lessons from working for storied retail and residential design firms to launch his own ventures—first with a partner and then alone. He describes how going solo forced him to take a fresh look at his business’s financials—and how his forays into developing product lines have opened the door to a whole new world of creative opportunities.This episode was sponsored by Regina Andrew and Room & Board. LINKSJosh GreeneKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Swati Goorha made a splash at the recent Kips Bay showhouse in New York for telling the story of her own growth through design. That approach was more than a one-off: It’s a strategy that underpins many aspects of her firm. She shares how she’s using storytelling for everything from project flow to getting clients on board with a design concept.This episode was sponsored by Regina Andrew and Room & Board. LINKSSwati GoorhaKaitlin 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.This episode was sponsored by Universal Furniture and The Shade Store. LINKSChloe Redmond WarnerKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Leann Conquer is celebrating her firm’s tenth anniversary with some big wins and industry recognition—but also with a fresh perspective on how to evolve in the years to come. With operational excellence top of mind, she’s focused on refining the firm’s systems while protecting space for creative pursuits.This episode was sponsored by Universal Furniture and The Shade Store. LINKSLeann ConquerKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Anissa Zajac pushed the reset button on her firm a few years ago after a crucial employee left her team. The tumultuous period that followed taught her what it takes to build a team that fits her goals—and how to grow as a leader as she grows her business. In this episode, she shares the community-building power of investing in brick-and-mortar, how she’s implemented new systems to make hiring easier, and why she’s letting her rates communicate her firm’s value.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSAnissa ZajacKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Jim Dove discovered a corner of the industry that played to his strengths when he ended up in kitchen design. After several decades building his business in New Jersey, he relocated his firm to Palm Beach, and quickly realized that he would have to sell his vision to win over local clients and colleagues. In the process, he gained a fresh perspective on what it truly takes to make it in a major luxury market. This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSJim DoveKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Kate Marker turned her firm into a three-part enterprise—complete with an e-commerce shop, vacation rentals and residential design services. In search of a perfect balance, she’s allowing each arm of the business to fuel the others, ultimately charting a path to sustainable growth. This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSKate MarkerKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Katie Monkhouse’s firm was moving along at a rapid pace—taking on new employees, new clients and new real estate before she even had a chance to envision its future. To keep the situation from spinning out of control, she enlisted the help of a business coach and soon came to a realization: in order to move her firm forward, she’d have to look inward first.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSKatie MonkhouseKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Courtney McLeod's early encounter with a take-charge client left her project in ruins—and almost derailed her firm’s growth. The story of her rebound is a masterclass in taking steps to secure your clients’ trust before it’s too late. On this episode of the podcast, she shares how her first showhouse experience provided her business with an unexpected lifeline, why she always asks clients to define what a successful project means to them,  and how she’s finding purpose in creating opportunities for the industry’s underrepresented groups. This episode was sponsored by Four Hands. LINKSCourtney McLeodKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Donna Mondi opened a second office in a new city amid the pandemic’s upheaval. As she entered a new phase of growth, she began reckoning with a new era of leadership at her firm—and what it means to chase a professional goal that never stops moving.This episode was sponsored by Room and Board.LINKSDonna MondiKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Christopher Courts and Edel Legaspi are a husband-and-wife team who recently decided to split up—not their marriage, but their design firm. They share what it takes to uncouple after more than a decade of working together, and why they’re embracing a new era that will give each of their voices space to grow.This episode was sponsored by Room and Board.LINKSChristopher Courts and Edel Legaspi Kaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Ali Budd had a shot at  TV stardom—and decided she wanted to bring viewers a side of the industry they hadn’t seen before. As the business she spent years building enters the spotlight, she’s sharing what it took to find her voice—and how she built a team that could carry that vision even further.This episode was sponsored by  Universal FurnitureLINKSAli BuddKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

After launching her own image consulting business and scaling a nonprofit from 3 people to a team of 22, Kai Williamson entered the design world with a strong entrepreneurial streak. As she’s found her footing in the industry, she tells us about her innovative approach to refining internal practices that will make her firm more profitable.This episode was sponsored by  Universal FurnitureLINKSKai WilliamsonStudio7 Design GroupKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Brian Paquette launched his career determined to build a brand. That’s not really his dream today—but his story offers the refreshing reassurance that it’s OK for your goals to change. He tells us about closing his store and downsizing his firm—and, more recently, about turning a scary slow period into an opportunity to perfect his systems.This episode was sponsored by Hudson Valley Lighting Group. LINKSBrian PaquetteKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home

Michael Hilal spent his first career in the tech world, working for Google and several startups before making the leap into interiors. Though he left Silicon Valley behind, that tech mindset stayed, shaping everything from his approach to design documentation to how he thinks about client education.This episode was sponsored by Hudson Valley Lighting Group. LINKSMichael Hilal Kaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home