Trade Tales

In this episode, Philadelphia-based interior designer Lucy O’Brien of Tartan & Toile answers a question from a designer who recently had to compromise her creative vision after coming up against an order minimum. O’Brien jumps in with advice on finding a second life for extra material, the value in troubleshooting with sales reps, and being transparent with clients about unexpected fees during the procurement process.

This episode was sponsored by Four Hands.

LINKS
Lucy O’Brien
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Rayana Schmitz balanced several different early career paths—from fitness trainer to firefighter—before landing on interior design. Today, she’s leading her firm with the wisdom to know when to trust her gut and when to rely on outside experts. On this episode, she shares the showhouse experience that pushed her creative boundaries, how a fractional CFO saved her firm’s finances and why she maintains strict hours of communication with clients.

This episode was sponsored by Vanguard Furniture and Kohler.

LINKS
Rayana Schmitz 

Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

In this episode, Seattle-based interior designer Lauren Caron answers a question from a designer who wants to expand her business beyond her home city without sacrificing her firm’s standards. Caron jumps in with advice on billing clients for travel time, how she maximizes site visits before the transition to remote work, and the value in an exhaustive scope of work document.

This episode was sponsored by Four Hands .

LINKS
Lauren Caron
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Audrey Scheck’s 20-person firm is a well-oiled machine—complete with a carefully structured leadership team and a top-down approach that sets the tone for every employee. Elsewhere in the episode, she shares her growth mindset as she expanded her team, how a bandwidth tracker helps the firm determine whether it's time to take on new business, and the questions that help clients step outside their comfort zone.

This episode was sponsored by Dallas Market Center and Kohler.

LINKS
Hema Persad

Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Washington, D.C.–based Zoë Feldman on how to hire for aesthetic alignment, the metrics she uses to measure an employee’s progress at the firm, and how a team member with their own style can sometimes save the firm from adopting a formulaic look.

This episode was sponsored by Four Hands.

LINKS
Zoë Feldman

Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home