On the second day of DCH Fall Market, Texan designers gathered at the Decorative Center Houston main stage for a captivating keynote panel, followed by a breakfast reception at The Shade Store’s showroom. Business of Home’s Kaitlin Petersen moderated the discussion with local designers Sherrell Neal of Sherrell Design Studio, Lauren Haskett of Lauren Haskett Design and Brandon Fontenot of Brandon Fontenot Interiors.
The conversation touched on salient points for interior designers, including processes for fielding new inquiries and onboarding, the importance of putting the client’s desires first and foremost, how to communicate your firm’s value, and what success looks like. The panelists also spoke about how window treatments significantly impact a room’s aesthetic and functionality.
“DCH Fall Market is a special time for the Houston design community to come together, and we were honored to host the morning keynote with Business of Home,” said Diana Ferretti, director of trade at The Shade Store. “Our panelists shared so many brilliant anecdotes and pieces of business advice. The breakfast in our showroom afterward created an opportunity for designer attendees to network and reflect on the panel discussion while connecting with our showroom team. We think it’s so important to create spaces to share and learn from one another, and we loved being a part of this market.”
“There was some real money talk on stage at DCH,” said Petersen. “Lauren, Sherrell and Brandon each explained how they talk about the way they charge to clients, and how they’re teaching their clients about the value of the firm’s work through those conversations. It’s always so great to have panelists who are willing to go deep on the why of their processes, and this trio really delivered. I’m so grateful to The Shade Store for their support of conversations like this one. As a company, they put so much care into their relationship with—and offerings for—the design community, providing a touchpoint for connection and a platform for important business conversations that is invaluable in today’s marketplace."
“Kaitlin led an incredible panel,” said Haskett. “It was a deep and authentic conversation about the challenges designers face when building a business. It takes courage to grow and confidence to know your worth. Honing our processes has made all the difference, and we are happy to have the opportunity to share what we’ve learned along the way!”
“I’m thrilled to have joined Business of Home and The Shade Store for design week as a panelist alongside talented colleagues in our design community,” said Neal. “We delved into the challenges of our evolving design landscape, exploring how a clear, structured process shapes more than interiors—they enrich our business and our value. Connecting with the audience and sharing our perspectives was both rewarding and enlightening.”
