Trade Tales

Latest Episodes:

Why Lauren Caron decided to ‘Marie Kondo’ her clients Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

Lauren Caron’s visual merchandising career kicked off with a long-term plan for climbing the corporate ladder at elite department store Bergdorf’s. Thanks to a lot of hard work, however, her dream came a little sooner than she expected—and turned out to be a little bit of a nightmare as well. Burnt out and in desperate need of a creative career that would give her control over the boundaries between life and work, she soon left her job to start a design business of her own. In this episode, she shares the strategies she put in place to protect her energy as she grows her firm—including the formula that helps her choose which projects to take on, why a “less is more” approach improved her portfolio, and how a recent rebrand brought her closer to her ideal clients.

LINKS
Lauren Caron
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by Jaipur Living and Savannah College of Art and Design.

Gala Magriñá filters her design business through a holistic lens Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

Gala Magriñá’s early career years taught her to think about design as it applied to a wide variety of spaces. As a visual merchandiser by day and a set designer by night, she created spaces for store windows, showrooms and retail shops as well as music videos and film sets. Her experience soon spawned the creation of a do-it-all agency—one that Magrina has since whittled down into a holistic interior design firm, geared toward getting to the bottom of how spaces can positively impact the health and wellness of those inhabiting them.
LINKS
Gala Magriñá
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by Jaipur Living and Savannah College of Art and Design.

Kevin Isbell on finding success with a small firm Jun 22, 2022

Show notes

For years, Kevin Isbell was the right-hand man for top interior designers from coast to coast. Eventually, it came time to take what he’d learned and embark on a new journey at the helm of his own firm—a sink-or-swim moment that revealed just how daunting the route to design leader can be. In this episode, he shares how he found his footing as design principal and enlisted a support system to help him stay afloat.
LINKS
Kevin Isbell
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by Moore & Giles and Gabby.

Alvin Wayne on making social media the bedrock of his business Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

Alvin Wayne spent years juggling a double career in luxury retail and interior design. But when the pandemic happened, he was hit with a realization: it was finally time to wholeheartedly pursue his passion for interiors. Now, he’s committed to crafting a firm that serves him best—between his penchant for shopping retail, his streamlined client vetting process and his growing social media presence, he’s using his exacting attitude to bring his business to new heights.

LINKS
Alvin Wayne
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by Moore & Giles and Gabby.

Why Tina Ramchandani wants a “soul connection” with her clients May 25, 2022

Show notes

When searching for a potential career, Tina Ramchandani set off in search of an “aha” moment—and she finally found it in the stunning interiors of an opulent hotel. The realization sent her on a path through design school, positions at both commercial and residential firms, and finally at the helm of her own firm, where she’s helping clients channel their own instincts to create emotionally-connected interiors.

LINKS
Tina Ramchandani
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by The Container Store and The Shade Store.

Meagan Camp quit Instagram. This is what she learned May 11, 2022

Show notes

Interior design was basically the family business for Meagan Camp, whose mother, grandparents and even great-grandparents all worked as design professionals. Though she worked as a stylist for nearly a decade, Camp couldn’t escape the pull of creating enduring spaces and eventually started a firm of her own. From there, she committed to doing things her own way—from quitting social media to redefining the luxury experience for her clients.

LINKS
Meagan Camp
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by The Container Store and The Shade Store.

How DuVäl Reynolds attracts team members who share his vision Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

When DuVäl Reynolds realized interior design was the career path for him, he went all-in—working a full time day job, attending design school at night and starting a fledgling firm along the way. The real work began when he started developing the finer points of his firm—including the clients he worked best with, an ideal support staff, and the side projects that put his personal aesthetic to the test.

LINKS
DuVäl Reynolds
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by SideDoor.

Toledo Geller on how to survive a crisis (or two) Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

Virginia Toledo always knew she was fated for a career in interiors. Jessica Geller, meanwhile, took a more winding road into the industry. When the two crossed paths, it was the start of a winning partnership—and despite taking significant hits during the recession and the pandemic, their design business bounced back stronger each time. Now, the duo is navigating a new period of significant growth, and realizing the importance of owning the role of business owner.

LINKS
Toledo Geller
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by The Shade Store.

How Linda Hayslett started designing on her own terms Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

After a decade in the fashion industry left her feeling unfulfilled, Linda Hayslett was looking for a new way to channel her creativity. When she finally switched gears to pursue interior design, she made it her mission to take control of her career. In this episode, she shares why overseeing projects from construction to completion has been a top priority, and how she’s getting intentional about her firm’s growth to ensure that the business can withstand any economic turbulence.

LINKS
Linda Hayslett
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by Universal and SideDoor.

Erin Gates on finding your voice Mar 16, 2022

Show notes

Erin Gates has a special talent for identifying untapped potential: She started her own firm geared toward young professionals in Boston in 2007, finding great success among an underserved clientele; she was also an early design blogger, part of a shift that would transform the design industry (and send her own career skyrocketing). In this episode, the Wellesley, Massachusetts–based designer explains how she stayed authentic amid pressure to bend, how she finds team members that support her vision, and why she’s so excited about the new hire keeping her firm’s operations in check.

LINKS
Erin Gates
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

This episode was sponsored by Universal and SideDoor.