On Tuesday, April 14, Dallas Market Center partnered with Business of Home to debut the Business Accelerator Series, a new half-day program designed to help designers build stronger, more intentional businesses. The series centered around the theme of “Landing the Right Work.” They brought together industry leaders, business strategists, and designers for a half-day of insights, followed by networking and a curated showroom experience.
Setting the Foundation: First Impressions & Positioning
The morning sessions kicked off with “The First Impression,” led by Renee Bush, Founder and Principal Strategist of Tandem. Bush explored how designers can refine their digital presence and messaging to better connect with ideal clients and generate meaningful leads.
Next, Kaitlin Petersen moderated a dynamic panel, “Positioning with Purpose,” featuring Bryan Yates and Mike Yates of Yates Desygn, Javier Burkle of Burkle Creative, and Jean Liu of Jean Liu Design. Together, they shared how a clearly defined vision and differentiated positioning are essential to building a successful, consistent design business.
From Inquiry to Ideal Client
Following a break in The Gallery, the conversation turned to the client journey. In “From First Contact to Signed Contract,” Arianne Bellizaire, CEO of Arianne Bellizaire Interiors, shared how thoughtful intake processes and early conversations can set expectations, establish value, and determine whether a project is truly the right fit.
The final session, “The Power of Alignment,” featured Christine Woodward, Founder and CEO of 19th & Co. Woodward emphasized the importance of defining what the “right client” means—and how intentional strategy can help designers attract projects that align with their business goals.
Connection, Conversation & Exploration
The program concluded with a lunch in the Palecek showroom, where attendees continued conversations with Kaitlin Petersen and the day’s speakers.
In the afternoon, Petersen led a curated showroom tour across campus, highlighting key resources for designers. Tour stops included Hubbardton Forge, the Textile Salon, C. Maddox, Currey & Company, and Coco & Dash, with a special appearance by Maria Mullen, CEO of Hubbardton Forge.
The inaugural Business Accelerator Series delivered practical strategies, meaningful connections, and actionable insights, giving attendees the tools to refine their positioning, strengthen client relationships, and ultimately land the right work.