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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes192Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignArtsBusinessEntrepreneurship

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Trade Tales

Latest Episodes

Sarah Goesling answers a question from a young designer who is curious about what it takes to generate new business. Goesling, whose firm Goesling Group is based in Chicago, offers advice on cultivating a diversified approach to lead generation, the ... more

Laura Lubin’s firm has grown to encompass construction services and a retail operation, on top of her interior design offerings. She credits much of that success to her ability to sell a vision to clients—to cut through the noise, understand the tran... more

Zuni Madera answers a question from a designer who is looking for a road map to understanding the art sourcing process. Madera, a partner at New York–based firm MC Interiors, offers advice on setting a room-by-room budget from a project’s outset, whe... more

Hattie Sparks Collins found herself in a situation every new business owner dreams of: a period of rapid growth almost immediately after launching her firm. As she scaled up, however, she felt herself losing control of the firm’s processes—and even w... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Sarah Goesling
Interior designer leading residential, commercial and color forecasting work
Goesling Group
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Sarah Goesling on using storytelling to connect with future clients
Laura Lubin
Interior designer and entrepreneur leading a firm with design, construction and retail operations
Ellersley Interiors
Episode: How Laura Lubin helps clients make project budgets rooted in reality
Zuni Madera
Partner at New York-based interior design firm MC Interiors
MC Interiors
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Zuni Madera on elevating a firm’s art sourcing
Hattie Sparks Collins
Designer who rebuilt her firm around sustainable growth and core design work
Episode: How Hattie Sparks Collins regained creative control of her firm
Evan Millard
Designer/owner discussing client lead quality and intake
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Live with Evan Millard, Melissa Oholendt and Audrey Scheck
Melissa Oholendt
Designer sharing strategies on marketing, messaging, and pricing
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Live with Evan Millard, Melissa Oholendt and Audrey Scheck
Audrey Scheck
Designer focusing on pricing, intake, and project scope
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Live with Evan Millard, Melissa Oholendt and Audrey Scheck
Jay Jeffers
Designer expanding into hospitality and retail
Independent designer, founder of Jay Jeffers Studio
Episode: Jay Jeffers on protecting your firm from a pipeline in flux
Dan Rak
Chicago designer whose firm expanded to Florida
Independent design firm (Chicago/Florida)
Episode: Ask Us Anything: Dan Rak on improving your profit margins

Host

Kaitlin Petersen
Host of the show; Editor-in-Chief of Business of Home

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 105 ratings
  • Erica McLain is simply brilliant!!

    I’ve had the great privilege of knowing Erica as a friend & client, hearing her on this episode is exactly who she is, thoughtful, authentic & crazy insightful. Thanks for giving others the opportunity to experience her brilliance and knowing that the world is better with her voice in it.

    Your podcast is incredible, keep shining your light brightly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miami heat Lbj
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States5 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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

Listeners Say

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

Listeners describe the episodes as highly actionable for designers new to entrepreneurship and for those seeking real-world business lessons.
Reviewers note the host's ability to pull out hard-won lessons from guests and translate them into implementable strategies.
Fans praise Kaitlin's thoughtful interviewing and guest lineup, calling the show insightful and practical for running a design business.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#26
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#94
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#171
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#154
Australia/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#24
India/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#25
South Africa/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ask Us Anything: Sarah Goesling on using storytelling to connect with future clients
Q: What is the right language to use, no matter how you're really feeling under the surface?
She advises presenting the firm's identity, process and strengths confidently instead of expressing desperation for work. Clients need to understand how the firm operates and trust it with a major investment.
Ask Us Anything: Sarah Goesling on using storytelling to connect with future clients
Q: What do you do proactively to feel like you are making a difference driving new business?
Goesling recommends showing prospective clients who the firm is, what it values and how it works, including the unpolished realities behind projects. Consistent, transparent storytelling can build familiarity and trust before a client is ready to hire.
How Laura Lubin helps clients make project budgets rooted in reality
Q: Are you telling clients what their budget should be, or are you helping them with the budget that they understand?
Lubin describes a collaborative process that compares a client's stated budget with the cost of the images and outcomes they want. Her team explains the trade-offs and helps clients understand what a realistic budget can achieve.
How Laura Lubin helps clients make project budgets rooted in reality
Q: What do we misunderstand about what it means to sell?
Lubin says sales is not a pitch or an effort to convince someone. It means understanding what a client wants, protecting their priorities and giving them confidence that the firm can deliver.
Ask Us Anything: Zuni Madera on elevating a firm’s art sourcing
Q: How on earth do you make money sourcing art? How does that work for you in your business?
MC Interiors outlines a tiered markup for art and antiques in its contract and discusses it transparently with clients from the start. When an art consultant is involved, the firm may either stay informed about the client's direct purchases or work with the consultant and apply its markup.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Trade Tales

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

A practical, founder-friendly look at running design firms, with a strong emphasis on acquiring and retaining ideal clients, pricing, team-building, and scalable processes. Episodes often blend hands-on operations with brand storytelling, PR strategies, and client-management frameworks, helping listeners turn creative work into sustainable businesses. Noteworthy are deep dives into hiring, in-house logistics, wellness-driven design, and turning design presentations into high-touch client experiences, which together position this show as a go-to resource for designers aiming to grow strategically without sacrificing culture or quality.

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How many listeners does Trade Tales get?

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What are the audience demographics for Trade Tales?

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How many subscribers and views does Trade Tales have?

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How many episodes of Trade Tales are there?

Trade Tales launched 6 years ago and published 192 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Trade Tales?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Trade Tales?

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What guests have appeared on Trade Tales?

Recent guests on Trade Tales include:

1. Sarah Goesling
2. Laura Lubin
3. Zuni Madera
4. Hattie Sparks Collins
5. Evan Millard
6. Melissa Oholendt
7. Audrey Scheck
8. Jay Jeffers

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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