Business of Home Podcast

Latest Episodes:

‘Boucle is here to stay’ says Rosemary Hallgarten Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

For years, Rosemary Hallgarten juggled a busy career in advertising with creative pursuits on the side. Then in the 1990s, a commission for a designer kick-started a fledgling rug business, and she was off to the races. Over two decades, Hallgarten has built a brand around neutral colors and sumptuous textures, bringing shearling rugs and alpaca boucle to a growing fan base.

On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about why she held on to her day job for five years, the rise of knockoffs and the challenges of moving from the chaos of creativity to the order of a streamlined business.

This episode is sponsored by Daniel House Club

LINKS
Rosemary Hallgarten
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Meet the outlet that bought 250 trucks full of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams furniture. Plus: Change at the top for Luxe Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to go over the biggest news in the industry, including change at the top for Luxe Interiors + Design, why starter homes are becoming forever homes, and a look at the latest industry comings and goings. Later, the leadership team behind The Dump discusses their acquisition of the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams inventory.

This episode was sponsored by Loloi Rugs

LINKS
The Dump
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Surya CEO Satya Tiwari on why he bought Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Started in 1976, for decades Surya was a modest rug manufacturer. But when Satya Tiwari—the son of the company’s founder—joined the business in the early 2000s, he began pushing it to grow, and over the years it has become a large-scale industry player, covering multiple categories and doing hundreds of millions in revenue. Last year, Tiwari went on an acquisition spree, culminating in the purchase of the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams brand.

On this episode of The Business of Home Podcast, Tiwari chats with host Dennis Scully about his plans for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, why private equity isn’t a good fit for the home industry, and why opportunity is greatest when times are tough.

This episode is sponsored by Daniel House Club

LINKS
Surya
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Alexa Hampton’s New Year’s resolutions. Plus: A leaked Wayfair memo sparks controversy Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the industry, including a controversial leaked memo from Wayfair’s CEO, the breakup of a successful design duo, and a look at what trend forecasters are saying about 2024. Later, Alexa Hampton shares her new book and her resolutions for 2024.

This episode was sponsored by Loloi Rugs

LINKS

Alexa Hampton
Design, Style & Influence
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Looking back on the biggest stories of 2023 Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss a big turnaround in interest rates, Australia’s ban on engineered stone, and a new study on Gen Z’s love of dupes. Later, BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen and retail columnist Warren Shoulberg join the show to recap an eventful year.
LINKS
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

How Brooks Morrison made The Design Social a must-go event Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

As a sales rep, Brooks Morrison kept encountering two problems. Small, independent textile brands were getting lost in massive multiline showrooms—and designers in smaller cities often had to drive hours to visit the nearest design center. In 2019, Morrison launched The Design Social, a traveling pop-up where the creative talents behind indie brands could showcase their work directly for designers. In four years, she’s brought the show all across the country, from Darien Connecticut to Newport Beach, California.

On this episode of the podcast, Morrison speaks with host Dennis Scully about the power of personal connection in a saturated market, why the show is built around creatives, not sales reps, and how she searches the country for overlooked “pockets of gold.”

This episode is sponsored by Loloi and BDDW

LINKS
The Design Social
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Stark Carpet CEO Chad Stark on selling to consumers while sticking with designers. Plus: This year's AD100 is unveiled Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the industry, including this year’s AD100, a brutal quarter for RH, and change at the top for Food52. Later, Chad Stark discusses why his company's latest moves around pricing transparency don't mean Stark Carpet is going all in on DTC.

LINKS
Stark Carpet
Ashley Stark Home
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Ethan Allen CEO Farooq Kathwari finds strength in focus Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

The last time Ethan Allen CEO Farooq Kathwari was on the podcast, he told the incredible story of his journey from a boyhood in Kashmir and Pakistan to the top of one of the furniture industry’s most venerable companies. This time he sticks to the present day, discussing Ethan Allen’s post-pandemic challenges and opportunities.

Kathwari tells host Dennis Scully why smaller is better for his company’s showrooms, the five things he asks all his managers to track, and why the worst mistake a business can make is try to be all things to all people.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi and BDDW

LINKS
Ethan Allen
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

The Thursday Show: Heidi Caillier's next phase. Plus: Airbnb's mysterious AI investment and more Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus joins host Dennis Scully to discuss the biggest news in the industry, including a big AI investment from Airbnb, a study on the state of luxury, and a surprising new board member for House of Hackney. Later, designer Heidi Caillier joins the show to talk about her debut book, Memories of Home.

LINKS
Heidi Caillier
Memories of Home
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

Lulu Lytle of Soane: 'Luxury without transparency isn't luxury' Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

In the late 1990s, driven by a love of craft, Soane founder Lulu Lytle took a road trip throughout Britain to meet artisans and makers. For the past 25 years she’s built a business around them, creating a collection of furniture, lighting and fabric all made in the UK (and beloved by interior designers around the world). On this episode of the podcast, Lytle speaks with host Dennis Scully about opening a new showroom in New York, why it’s so difficult to make quality furniture at an affordable price, and why luxury without transparency isn’t luxury at all.

This episode is sponsored by Loloi and BDDW

LINKS
Soane
Dennis Scully
Business of Home

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