Ask Us Anything: Amy Storm on navigating complex contractor relationships
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
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45:10
How better boundaries helped Adam Hunter fall back in love with his business
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
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53:58
Ask Us Anything: Emilie Munroe on why you should never charge a consultation fee
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
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43:51
How eliminating a markup has fueled Bella Mancini’s creativity
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
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50:32
Ask Us Anything: Kevin Isbell on what to do when an order goes wrong
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
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.
Netherlands