Trade Tales

Latest Episodes:

How Jae Joo unlocked better creative control over her projects Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Jae Joo’s work is all about taking a step outside of the status quo. But getting there isn’t a destination; it takes constant effort. On this episode, she explains why it’s essential to attract clients who are willing to take creative risks, and how maintaining control of the project’s design and build teams is an essential part of executing her vision.

This episode was sponsored by Surya and Regina Andrew.

LINKS
Jae Joo
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Ask Us Anything: Courtney McLeod on developing systems to power your projects Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

On the inaugural episode of the Ask Us Anything podcast, New York designer Courtney McLeod answers an anonymous question from a fellow designer who’s been in business for herself for about a year. At this point, she knows what a successful project should look like—but without a clear process in place, she often finds herself searching her notes for the next step. McLeod offers a roadmap for establishing clear internal and external systems built out of your existing workflow.

This episode was sponsored by Four Hands and Crypton.

LINKS
Courtney McLeod
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Caroline Gidiere on setting her rates for the clients she wants Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Caroline Gidiere’s trajectory at the helm of her firm is a masterclass in growing with intention. She explains how she carefully deliberates over which projects to take, and on making sure her rates reflect the type of clients she aspires to work with.

This episode was sponsored by Ethan Allen and The Shade Store.

LINKS
Caroline Gidiere
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Cortney Bishop on the monthly fee that keeps her firm in motion Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Cortney Bishop’s entrepreneurial spirit has driven her to create a one-of-a-kind business, complete with an in-house receiving operation and a creative approach to experiential e-commerce. She explains how each venture has helped her level up not just her firm, but also her own creativity.

This episode was sponsored by Ethan Allen and The Shade Store.

LINKS
Cortney Bishop
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Jenna Chused on embracing risk in order to grow Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Jenna Chused spent the first part of her career helping other entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground, before finally taking a chance on herself. Now that she’s at the helm, she shares why she’s learning to embrace risk in order to achieve growth, and why she's never satisfied in her quest to perfect her presentations to clients.

This episode was sponsored by Ethan Allen and The Shade Store.

LINKS
Jenna Chused
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Michel Smith Boyd on why a flat fee lets him focus on creativity [Rebroadcast] Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

Modeling, acting, nursing and beauty school—Michel Smith Boyd tried it all before an encounter with an interior designer sealed his fate and sent him back to school to begin the journey toward the rest of his career. While still a design undergrad, he landed his first big gig—a one-night affair designing an extravagant party for a marketing executive. Though the event launched the young designer into a world of affluent clients and fast fame, he’s now revisiting his business practices to retread the basic steps he missed before.

LINKS
Michel Smith Boyd
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

How Pure Salt’s cofounders turned a signature look into a successful brand [Rebroadcast] Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

Pure Salt designers Aly Morford and Leigh Lincoln were always on the same page when it came to interiors. In building out their portfolio and executing early designs, it was smooth sailing. When it came time to confront the bigger decisions necessary to building their business, they started to hit their first roadblocks—overcoming them would not only make their partnership stronger, but unlock new ambitions of taking their firm to the next level.

LINKS
Pure Salt
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Jenna Gross on the showhouse that helped solidify her brand Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

Jenna Gross entered the industry with a specific goal in mind: to offer a design approach centered on a full embrace of color. She shares how, after more than a decade of hard work, she’s entering a new phase as she readies her business to welcome an influx of clients who truly understand her brand.

This episode was sponsored by Klafs.

LINKS
Jenna Gross
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Why Mandy Cheng won't delegate her firm's finances Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Mandy Cheng launched her creative career in set production before discovering that transforming interiors was a perfect fit. The past few years have been pivotal for her firm, with industry accolades and high-profile clients that have brought growth, but also pushed her to explore what creative expansion will look like in the years ahead.

This episode was sponsored by Klafs.

LINKS
Mandy Cheng
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home

Hannah Oravec on bringing wellness into the design process Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Hannah Oravec’s firm places a special focus on wellness. As she scales her business, she’s navigating how to protect her values while embracing growth—and embarking on the shift in leadership that comes with it.

This episode was sponsored by Klafs.

LINKS
Hannah Oravec
Kaitlin Petersen
Business of Home