--- title: A Look Back: Business of Home x Dallas Market Center Business Accelerator Series First Installment description: 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. Centered around the theme of “Landing the Right Work,” the series brought together industry leaders, business strategists, and designers for a full morning of insights, followed by networking and a curated showroom experience. image: https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/hubfs/2604_APR_DesignNewsletter_Assets_Full%20Width_1240x750_Scene%20(1).png --- ![](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMC-Star_H_CMYK_logo_web.png?width=250&height=125&name=DMC-Star_H_CMYK_logo_web.png "DMC-Star_H_CMYK_logo_web.png") Go! [![new_dmc_blog_header.png](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/new_dmc_blog_header.png?width=1417&name=new_dmc_blog_header.png "new_dmc_blog_header.png")](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/) - MENU - [MAIN](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com) - [FASHION](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/topic/fashion) - [HOME & GIFT](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/topic/home-gift) - [DESIGN](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/topic/design) - [LIGHTING](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/topic/lighting) - [NEARSHORING AMERICA](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/topic/nearshoring-america) # A Look Back: Business of Home x Dallas Market Center Business Accelerator Series First Installment Posted by [Dallas Market Center](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/author/dallas-market-center) on April 20, 2026 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) 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.  ![DMC II44](https://2059155.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/2059155/hubfs/DMC%20II44.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=DMC%20II44.jpg) Arianne Bellizaire, CEO, Arianne Bellizaire Interiors and Kaitlin Petersen, Editor in Chief, Business of Home ![DMC II59](https://2059155.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/2059155/hubfs/DMC%20II59.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=DMC%20II59.jpg) Business of Home Tour ![DMC II5](https://2059155.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/2059155/hubfs/DMC%20II5.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=DMC%20II5.jpg) Bryan Yates, Principal Designer, Yates Desygn, Mike Yates, Managing Director, Yates Desygn, Javier Burkle, Principal Interior Designer, Burkle Creative. Not pictured: Jean Liu, Principal, Jean Liu Design ![2604_APR_DesignNewsletter_Assets_Full Width_1240x750_Scene (1)](https://2059155.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/2059155/hubfs/2604_APR_DesignNewsletter_Assets_Full%20Width_1240x750_Scene%20(1).png?width=1200&length=1200&name=2604_APR_DesignNewsletter_Assets_Full%20Width_1240x750_Scene%20(1).png) Panelists pose with Kaitlin Petersen   The day began with breakfast at Unique Loom, where attendees had the opportunity to connect with *Business of Home* editor-in-chief Kaitlin Petersen and the day’s panelists before the program officially kicked off.  ### 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. The next installment of the series will take place during Dallas Design Week, September 15 - 17, with a continued focus on building a stronger, more intentional design business.  Topics: [Design](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/topic/design) ## More Posts... --- ## Comments... - About Us - [About DMC](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/about-dmc/) - [Contact Us](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/contact-us/) - [Explore Our Campus](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/explore-our-campus/) - [Industry Sponsors](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/about/industry-partners/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/privacy-policy/) - Careers - [Market Center Careers](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/dmc-positions/) - [Exhibitor Positions](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/exhibitor-positions/) - [Application FAQs](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/about/help-center/) - Market Hall Events - [Public Events](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/public-events-calendar/) - [Market Hall Rentals](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/public-event-rental/) - Public Relations - [Press Room](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/press-room/) - [Request a Press Pass](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/request-a-press-pass/) - Quick Links - [Market Calendar](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/calendar/) - [Market Travel](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/become-an-attendee/plan-your-visit/hotels-transportation/) - [Campus Maps](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/become-an-attendee/plan-your-visit/dmc-maps/) - [Mobile App](https://www.dallasmarketcenter.com/mobile-app/) - [Exhibitor News Blog](https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/exhnews) ### [#DALLASMARKET](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Dallasmarket&src=typd) ©2021 | Dallas Market Center 2100 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 | 214.655.6100 or 214.744.7444 ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dallas Market Center", "url" : "https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/author/dallas-market-center" }, "dateModified" : "2026-04-21T15:28:08.579Z", "datePublished" : "2026-04-20T16:14:10.000Z", "headline" : "A Look Back: Business of Home x Dallas Market Center Business Accelerator Series First Installment", "image" : [ "https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/hubfs/2604_APR_DesignNewsletter_Assets_Full%20Width_1240x750_Scene%20(1).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/a-look-back-business-of-home-x-dallas-market-center-business-accelerator-series-first-installment", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/hubfs/DMC%20Logo.png" }, "name" : "Dallas Market Center" } } ```