Rephonic
Artwork for Trade Tales
Interior Design
Client Relationships
Entrepreneurship
Business Growth
Work-Life Balance
Client Management
Project Management
Design Process
Creative Process
Design Business
Creative Entrepreneurship
Covid-19
Social Media Marketing
Design Burnout
Client Experience
Acquisition
Business Coaching
Team Management
Client Communication
Team Building

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes179Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignEntrepreneurshipBusinessArts

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Artwork for Trade Tales

Latest Episodes

Erica McLain has been continuously guided by a fierce drive and curiosity—qualities that propelled her to Stanford, the Olympics, and tech companies like Facebook and Google. Now, she’s combining those strengths to blaze a new trail in the design ind... more

Boston designer Dane Austin joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer who knows the basics when it comes to presenting design ideas, and is now looking for advice on how to take her strategy a step further, ultimately selling her vis... more

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,... more

Melissa Oholendt of Minnesota- and Colorado-based firm Oho Interiors answers a question from a designer who is currently interviewing candidates for her firm’s first full-time position. Oholendt jumps in with advice on how to reveal a candidate’s tru... more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dane Austin
Boston designer, founder of Dane Austin Design
Dane Austin Design
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Dane Austin on taking design presentations to the next level [Rebroadcast]
Melissa Ohlendt
Designer, Oho Interiors (Minnesota and Colorado offices)
Oho Interiors
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Melissa Oholendt’s go-to interview questions for new hires [Rebroadcast]
Ali Budd
Toronto-based designer and founder of a design firm
Ali Budd Studio
Episode: Why Ali Budd wants to do design TV differently [Rebroadcast]
Blair Moore
Designer and founder of Roem, a furniture sourcing studio focused on vintage and antiques
Roem
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Blair Moore on protecting your firm from shipping issues
Angela Harris
Designer and founder of Trio (TRIO)
Trio (TRIO)
Episode: How Angela Harris put wellness front and center in her business
Lucy O'Brien
Designer and founder of Tartan & Toile
Tartan & Toile
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Lucy O’Brien on designing around order minimums
Rayana Schmitz
Designer who leads Firefinish Interiors; expanded her firm with outside expertise
Firefinish Interiors
Episode: Rayana Schmitz on tapping outside experts to transform her firm
Lauren Caron
Designer; guest on Trade Tales
Trade Tales / Design firm (Seattle-based)
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Lauren Caron’s process-driven approach to far-away projects
Audrey Scheck
Designer and founder of ASD Interiors (Audrey Scheck Design)
ASD Interiors
Episode: How Audrey Scheck established her firm’s C-suite

Host

Kaitlin Petersen
Host of Trade Tales, Editor-in-Chief of Business of Home

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 100 ratings
  • One of the Best Home Podcasts

    Kaitlin Petersen is so smart, savvy and warm - everything she talks about is illuminated by all she has to share, and her wonderful way with guests. Only a few podcasts in this area make you feel like you are learning something - and Trade Tales excels in this area. Along with her business partners Dennis Scully and Fred Nicklaus, Kaitlin gives shape to the Business of Home team which is the very top tier podcast (and magazine) in the home design space. Indispensable!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Julia Chasman Design
    United States2 months ago
  • Inspiration for a Maker

    I am a furniture maker, and this podcast gives me so much value. It helps me to see the perspective of my client - the designer. I also Garner many takeaways that help me in my business. The host asks insightful questions and draws out great responses from her guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kwadwo89
    United States8 months ago
  • Superlative Info/Advice Provided

    Interesting and timely topics updated weekly…superlative guests with just the right balance of information, advice AND humor!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrentTK
    United States10 months ago
  • So helpful!

    The recent episode with Swati Goorha was so helpful! She shared so much of her process and I’m grateful to hear so much detail about how other designers structure their services. It’s such a journey figuring out what works best. Thank you for this platform!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emily Lindberg Design
    United States2 years ago
  • 💎💎💎

    I’m not an interior designer myself (PR coach) but people in my program and community are! And this is a show I would definitely recommend to them, especially those in the earlier stages of their biz! Kaitlin and her guests know their stuff and even tho I have zero experience in this industry I found it engaging and easy to follow along! Excited to share with my community!

    @gloriachoupr

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    _doremi101
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests consistently present practical, actionable takeaways for running a design firm.
Listeners praise the show for real-world education and mentorship vibes.
Insightful host with thoughtful questions helps guests share concrete strategies.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#21
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#72
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#62
Australia/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#168
France/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#32
South Africa/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#37
Singapore/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ask Us Anything: Melissa Oholendt’s go-to interview questions for new hires [Rebroadcast]
Q: What questions reveal ambition and cultural fit beyond standard qualifications?
Sneaky questions about what success looks like, how the candidate feels appreciated, and where they want the firm to go, plus a focus on humility and collaboration as core values.
Ask Us Anything: Melissa Oholendt’s go-to interview questions for new hires [Rebroadcast]
Q: How do you determine when you're ready to hire in the face of an uncertain economy?
Focus on the business needs and the potential revenue impact of an additional designer, rather than waiting for perfect conditions; balance financial readiness with the ability to manage growth strategically.
Ask Us Anything: Melissa Oholendt’s go-to interview questions for new hires [Rebroadcast]
Q: What should the interview process look like at this stage for a small firm hiring its first full-time designer?
A phased process with initial screener questions, a second, longer interview with the team, and a practical design task to evaluate technical and presentation skills, followed by a collaborative decision in the broader team.
Why Mandy Cheng won't delegate her firm's finances [Rebroadcast]
Q: How do you structure your fees and explain them to clients?
I bill a flat design fee plus a commission on purchases, with a detailed 37-page deck to show the process, typical budgets, project types, and what happens at each stage, which helps clients understand value and reduces back-and-forth.
Why Mandy Cheng won't delegate her firm's finances [Rebroadcast]
Q: What were your goals when you launched the firm, and how have they evolved?
Initially, there were almost no formal goals beyond getting projects and paying the bills, but over time the focus shifted to maintaining excellence, growing the studio, and expanding into commercial work while keeping the core client-education approach.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Trade Tales

What is Trade Tales about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A design-focused interview series that centers on running a design practice as a business. Across episodes, listeners get practical guidance on hiring, team management, client alignment, pricing, and process optimization, with a steady emphasis on culture, sustainability, and long-term growth. Guests range from solo designers to partner-led firms, often sharing actionable tactics for scaling, improving client experiences, and maintaining creative integrity while building financial footing. Noteworthy angles include immersive discovery processes, client-focused questionnaire redesigns, transparent pricing, and sustainability-informed business models that justify fees tied to research and in-house capabilities. This mix makes it valuable for ... more

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How many episodes of Trade Tales are there?

Trade Tales launched 5 years ago and published 179 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Trade Tales?

Recent guests on Trade Tales include:

1. Dane Austin
2. Melissa Ohlendt
3. Ali Budd
4. Blair Moore
5. Angela Harris
6. Lucy O'Brien
7. Rayana Schmitz
8. Lauren Caron

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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