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Episode Summary
In this high-value episode of Homegrown Hustle, we dive deep with Brian and Maud Duggan, the powerhouse couple behind Union Place — a second-generation business blending artisan interior design and design-minded home technology. Perfectly tailored for entrepreneurs with a growth mindset, this conversation explores scaling legacy businesses, fusing aesthetics with innovation, and aligning your work with meaningful community impact.
From running a multi-disciplinary business to mentoring through civic work, Brian and Maud offer a masterclass in integrating craftsmanship, tech-savvy, and values into a brand that lasts. This isn’t just about homes — it’s about building a life and a business with intention.
Key Takeaway
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- The importance of evolving a legacy business while maintaining its foundational values.
- How “design-minded technology” creates seamless living environments.
- Why personalization and purpose matter more than trends in interior design.
- Practical lessons on working with your spouse and integrating family with entrepreneurship.
- How community leadership can organically extend your brand’s influence.
Chapters:
00:00–01:00 — Introduction to Brian & Maud Duggan and Union Place’s legacy
01:00–03:30 — Fusing interior design with custom home technology
03:30–07:00 — Origin story: transitioning from solo ventures to a family business
07:00–11:00 — Design philosophy: crafting spaces that reflect the client, not the designer
11:00–15:00 — Moving away from trends like the “white and gray bomb” and beige safety
15:00–18:30 — The renaissance of durability: why quality matters more than ever
18:30–21:00 — Tech invisibility: making technology disappear into the design
21:00–26:00 — Building summer homes for legacy experiences at Lake Minnetonka
26:00–30:00 — How lifestyle and generational needs shape interior and tech decisions
30:00–34:00 — Lifelong clients and relationship-driven business longevity
34:00–38:00 — The Excelsior effect: rooted in a tight-knit, vibrant lake community
38:00–44:00 — Leading change: Maud’s advocacy with Rotary, Imagination Library & food insecurity
44:00–48:00 — Scaling impact through business and service — without needing the credit
48:00–52:00 — Travel as creative fuel: how international exposure inspires innovation
52:00–57:00 — Rapid fire: fake plants, smart homes, white bombs & the perfect number of pillows
57:00–End — Humor, humanity, and real talk: blending work, life, and legacy
Guest Resources:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnionPlaceMN
Website: https://www.unionplace.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unionplaceinteriors/
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