Trade Tales

• Ask Us Anything: Ashley Hughes on how to level up your clientele

  Ashley Hughes joins the show to answer a question from a designer who is looking to reach the next level of clientele. Hughes, whose firm is based in Dallas, offers advice on the importance of auditing your existing clientele, how to create a rendering that reflects the client you want to attract, and finding the vendors that align with your ideal demographic.LINKSAshley HughesKaitlin PetersenBusiness of HomeThis episode was sponsored by Four Hands and Crypton.

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• Lilse McKenna on building client confidence

  Lilse McKenna honed her craft under some of New York’s top design talents before striking out on her own. She learned from the best when it comes to systems and processes, but as the leader of her own firm, she’s also left room for her own creativity to run wild. On this episode, she shares how she honed her firm’s aesthetic and what it takes to find clients who are looking for her creative voice.LINKSLilse McKennaKaitlin PetersenBusiness of HomeThis episode was sponsored by Universal and Joon Loloi. 

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• Ask Us Anything: Live with Heather Fujikawa, Jean Stoffer and Grace Start

  Designers Heather Fujikawa, Jean Stoffer and Grace Start joined host Kaitlin Petersen for a live episode of the show—recorded at the Four Hands showroom in Austin—to hear anonymous designer questions on topics like post-pandemic recruiting tactics, discussing price changes with clients in the era of tariffs, and expanding a firm’s client base to include out-of-state projects. The trio jumped in with advice on modeling your ideal work culture for new team members, staying level-headed in money conversations, and prioritizing communication and organization when working with out-of-state clients.LINKSHouse SprucingJean Stoffer DesignKaitlin PetersenBusiness of HomeThis episode was sponsored by Four Hands and Crypton.

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• Why Ariel Okin believes all clients deserve ‘unfailing optimism’

  Ariel Okin’s early look at the industry inspired her to structure her business with a clear separation of the creative and operations teams. She also built a media empire, complete with a digital platform, a podcast and in-person events for design enthusiasts. On this episode, she shares how she stays open to new ideas, what it means to be a leader, a new experiment with delegating, and how writing her first book shaped her outlook about the firm’s next decade.LINKSAriel OkinKaitlin PetersenBusiness of HomeThis episode was sponsored by Renewal by Andersen and Dallas Market Center.

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• Ask Us Anything: Jenna Chused on rising prices in the tariff era

  Jenna Chused joins the show to answer a question from a designer who is looking for help when it comes to communicating with clients about tariffs. Chused, whose firm is based in Brooklyn, jumps in with advice on why she’s shifted her sourcing approach to shield her business from price volatility, how tariffs show up on her firm’s invoices and how early budget discussions prevent sticker shock further along in the design process.LINKSJenna ChusedKaitlin PetersenBusiness of HomeThis episode was sponsored by Four Hands and Crypton.

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