Business of Home x DMC Business Accelerator Series

Business of Home and Dallas Market Center present the second Business Accelerator Series session, exploring how designers can 

build strong client relationships—through trust, clear boundaries, and confident communication—to support successful, high-quality projects.


Register Now

Featured Speakers

Kaitlin Petersen
Editor in Chief of Business of Home

As editor in chief of Business of Home, Kaitlin draws on over a decade of experience covering the design trade to direct the outlet's news coverage, print magazine, and podcast network. She also hosts the podcasts Trade Tales and Ask Us Anything, giving designers tools and insights to build stronger businesses.

Wendy Estela
Founder of Estela Law and Designed Counsel™

With 25 years of experience in business law, Wendy focuses on serving the interior design, building, and construction industries. She has represented hundreds of interior designers, from AD100 and Elle Decor A-List professionals to those just starting out or changing careers. 

Sean Low
President of The Business of Being Creative

As founder and president of The Business of Being Creative, Sean draws on his background as a lawyer and business executive to consult interior designers and other creative entrepreneurs. He has advised hundreds of professionals, from emerging talents to top names like Nate Berkus and Vicente Wolf.


BOH x DMC Business Accelerator Program

Part II: Building Trust & Creative Partnership
September 15, 2026

Business of Home and Dallas Market Center bring you the next installment of the Business Accelerator Series, a designer experience focused on developing the skills, strategies and confidence to build stronger, more intentional businesses. The second session in this four-part series picks up where we left off in the spring: You’ve secured the project, and it’s time for the real work to begin. We examine the art and psychology of building a client relationship strong enough to support exceptional design; explore the contracts, boundaries and communication practices that lay the foundation for successful projects; and address how to cultivate trust, set clear expectations and guide clients through the creative process with confidence.


Topics Include:
 

Leading with Authority

Business advisor Sean Low joins BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen to discuss how to establish trust from the outset, communicate clearly and create relationships in which clients feel supported while respecting your expertise.

 

Contracts That Build Better Relationships

A well-crafted contract does more than protect your business—it establishes the expectations that set up every project for success. Attorney Wendy Estela breaks down the clauses, boundaries and communication practices designers should prioritize to minimize misunderstandings, navigate challenges and strengthen client relationships.

 

Inside the Client Presentation

What actually happens in a winning design presentation? Three designers walk through their real-world process—from slide decks and printed materials to samples and meeting structure—showing exactly how they convey ideas and keep clients engaged. In a follow-up conversation with Petersen, the panel will discuss their methods for helping clients evaluate options, make decisions and move projects forward.