Ask Us Anything: Dane Austin on taking design presentations to the next level
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 vision—and commitment—to her clients. Austin offers advice on bringing a theatrical edge to big-picture design planning, a strategy for physically packaging ideas that invokes the world of luxury shopping, and the value of refining the decision-making process through three levels of presentations. Plus: Ask Us Anything is going live! Join host Kaitlin Petersen at High Point Market this month as she sits down with two former guests of the show to workshop designers’ business questions in real time. To RSVP, visit fourhands.com/event-rsvp. This episode was sponsored by Four Hands.LINKSDane AustinKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
--------
42:11
How making a handbook for her firm helped Isabel Ladd fall back in love with design
Isabel Ladd’s lifelong penchant for pattern and color set the stage for a maximalist approach to life and design. But after several busy years, she realized that she was falling out of love with her business—she explains how focusing on her process helped her recapture the spark.This episode was sponsored by Surya and The Shade Store.LINKSIsabel Ladd Kaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
--------
58:32
Ask Us Anything: Clara Jung on building community as an introvert
San Francisco Bay Area designer Clara Jung joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer who identifies as just that. She’s craving community, collaborators and deeper conversations, but often feels flummoxed in a room full of strangers. Jung offers advice on mentally preparing for large industry events, networking from a place of sincerity, and how introversion can be a superpower when it comes to building relationships with clients.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands.LINKSClara JungKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
--------
31:06
How Arianne Bellizaire stopped chasing the industry’s standard of success
Earlier in her career, Arianne Bellizaire worked hard to build a large firm—only to realize that the pursuit of what she thought success was supposed to look like had taken the joy out of the work. Her biggest pivot point came when she let her old dream go, and started working on a new one: a nimbler team, fresh opportunities, and reclaiming her love of design.This episode was sponsored by Surya and Regina Andrew. LINKSArianne Bellizaire Kaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
--------
1:08:08
Ask Us Anything: Regan Baker on how to scale without putting client relationships at risk
San Francisco–based designer Regan Baker joins the show to answer a question from a fellow designer whose five-person firm is going through some growing pains. She’s already brought on a senior-level hire who can run their own jobs with some creative oversight. Now, she’s wondering how she can get some of the junior employees on her team ready for the same level of responsibility. Baker offers advice on communicating a senior designer’s role to clients, the software she uses to track employee progress without micromanaging and how to delegate duties based on an employee’s strengths.This episode was sponsored by Four Hands.LINKSRegan BakerKaitlin PetersenBusiness of Home
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.