Ahead of the Curve: Identifying Trends and Taking Risks

Being able to identify upcoming trends is an important skill in any business. 

It allows you to plan, strategize, and position yourself at the front of the pack. Sébastien Fauteux, Creative Director at Urban Barn, has spent nearly 30 years anticipating and capitalizing on design trends inside Canadians’ homes—and now he’s here to share those insights with REALTORS® in Canada.

On this episode of the REAL TIME podcast, Fauteux gives us his perspective on identifying trends, when to take risks, and some practical takeaways on how to make a lasting first impression.

What’s a trend? And perhaps more importantly, what isn’t? 

Host Shaun Majumder kicks off the conversation with Fauteux by asking just that. 

“I look at, certainly, home décor and furniture trends, but you look at trends overall as well to see what influences people,” says Fauteax, stressing that food and fashion trends are just one piece of the puzzle. Lifestyle, decision making, and presentation trends are equally as important, he says. “How can we connect those dots[?]” 

They discuss how Fauteax got his start at Urban Barn nearly three decades ago, recounting how his previous life as a Canadian literature student and former book buyer led him to become a creative leader at what is now such a well-known Canadian brand. “Your journey sometimes… goes in a different direction [that] you might not have planned, but looking back, it was the right direction that your life took,” he says. 

[Y]ou're always going to have some roadblock... They're part of a process of a business. They're part of an illusion of a business.”

Sébastien Fauteux, Creative Director at Urban Barn

Stressing that a business acumen is what drew Fauteux into his career, they break down some of the business choices and decisions he faced over the course of his career and in being a key part of Urban Barn’s expansion. With interesting insights, and tailored to the Canadian business experience, the ideas discussed, he suggests, could apply to any business person—like REALTORS®. 

In a business conversation peppered with flair and design, Fauteux shares anecdotes from all over the world that any person with a love for homes and business can identify with. He ends by offering specific advice to REALTORS® working with clients to market their home and present an “on trend” listing with the right staging, of course, but also taking those trend forecasting skills to analyze an ever-changing market, ultimately serving clients better.

Join the conversation and listen to the episode wherever you listen to podcasts.