Trade Tales

Épisodes

• Rayana Schmitz on tapping outside experts to transform her firm 03.06.2026 48min

  Rayana Schmitz on 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.
• Ask Us Anything: Lauren Caron’s process-driven approach to far-away projects 27.05.2026 51min

  Seattle-based interior designer Lauren Caron 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.
• How Audrey Scheck established her firm’s C-suite 20.05.2026 1h 4min

  Audrey Scheck on 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.
• Ask Us Anything: Zoë Feldman on how to measure an employee’s design skills 13.05.2026 37min

  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.
• How Hema Persad built ‘the smallest, most efficient’ team 06.05.2026 57min

  Los Angeles–based designer Hema Persad on how managing a team shifted her perspective on business growth, why she’s been a fast adopter of AI tools, and what to expect from celebrity clients.
• Ask Us Anything: Christine Vroom on how to pivot when your pipeline falls apart 29.04.2026 38min

  Los Angeles–based Christine Vroom on the importance of taking inventory of the hypothetical situations that could impact a design business, why her firm implements a “restart fee” for clients who need to push pause, and how to mentally prepare for the ebb and flow characteristic of a designer’s workload.
• Why Hanna Li’s design proposals include a sustainability fee 22.04.2026 53min

  Los Angeles–based designer Hanna Li on how she’s measuring the carbon footprint of every project, why she produced short films about her firm’s work, and the reason every role she hires for comes with a five-year plan.
• Ask Us Anything: Melissa Oholendt’s go-to interview questions for new hires 15.04.2026 34min

  Melissa Oholendt of Minnesota- and Colorado-based firm Oho Interiors on how to reveal a candidate’s true ambitions, evaluating skillset through a key question, and knowing when to call for backup.
• Kobel & Co.’s radical take on the client questionnaire 08.04.2026 1h 17min

  Elizabeth Bennett and Mallory Robins of Kansas City, Missouri–based firm Kobel & Co. share why they no longer use a client questionnaire, how they maintain a single brand voice at every touchpoint, and why a willingness to go all-in is their new criteria for incoming projects.
• Ask Us Anything: Alison Giese on how to streamline your design presentation 01.04.2026 42min

  San Antonio, Texas–based designer Alison Giese on the value of providing clients with curated choices, how to hone powers of observation during the intake process, and why whole-home presentations help convey continuity—and give designers a chance to build confidence and salesmanship skills.
• Jess Ebert on why delegation is the key to longevity 25.03.2026 47min

  Jess Ebert on how she communicates her entire team’s value to clients, the many ways hiring a PR firm is helping her navigate the changing social media landscape and why taking Wednesdays off represents a pivotal moment in her entrepreneurial journey.
• Ask Us Anything: Chloe Redmond Warner on establishing processes that fit your firm 18.03.2026 34min

  Oakland, California–based designer Chloe Redmond Warner on why an unstructured design process might miss out on the value-engineering phase, how to find the sweet spot between client responsiveness and total control, and why issuing a project schedule from the outset can help establish a firm’s sense of authority.
• Melissa Oholendt on how to become the creative director of your design firm 11.03.2026 1h 2min

  Melissa Oholendt of Minnesota and Colorado-based firm Oho Interiors on the business partner who helped her firm set its sights higher, the strategy behind identifying an Instagram audience, and how she stays above the emotional fray when it comes to discussing finances with clients.
• Ask Us Anything: Alex Kaehler on strategic growth 04.03.2026 31min

  Chicago-based designer Alex Kaehler on how to grow your firm without increasing your workload, using social media as a lower-lift lead generator and why size doesn’t always equate to success.
• A surprising path to partnership for Bergman Vass 25.02.2026 53min

  Dana Bergman Falcione and Erica Vassalotti of Philadelphia-based firm Bergman Vass on what it takes to delegate decision-making, how they’ve divided their roles as co-leaders of the firm, and why they’ve avoided becoming the technicians of their business.
• Ask Us Anything: Dan Mazzarini on how to get client approval for antiques 18.02.2026 32min

  Dan Mazzarini on how to buy time with vendors while seeking client approval, what it takes to highlight an item’s top selling points, and why putting extra effort into visualization can help clients get on board with the broader vision.
• Yates Desygn on the course correction that saved their team 11.02.2026 1h

  Bryan and Mike Yates of Dallas-based firm Yates Desygn on the low-overhead approach that got their business off the ground, the business consultant that inspired them to transform their firm’s structure, and how they’ve strategically created curriculums that outline pathways to growth for the members of their team.
• Ask Us Anything: DuVäl Reynolds on finding new clients in a slowdown 04.02.2026 33min

  DuVäl Reynolds on how to spot early indicators for a slowdown in new business, adjusting your messaging to attract ideal clients, and the value of diversifying your firm’s offerings during slow months.
• How Evan Millárd used showhouses to launch his design career 28.01.2026 42min

  Evan Millard on using showhouses to amplify his business, how being a solo designer offers him room to grow in new directions, and the value in being transparent with clients about his firm’s finances.
• Ask Us Anything: Victoria Sass on how to get published [Rebroadcast] 21.01.2026 59min

  Victoria Sass on different approaches to working with a public relations agency, how digital placement can actually yield longer-term results for your business and why local press contains a wealth of value that’s often overlooked.