top of page

What Chappell Roan’s Grammy Speech Can Teach the Home Goods Industry About Innovation, Fair Pay, and the Future of Business

Writer's picture: Joseph HaeckerJoseph Haecker

At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Chappell Roan, named Best New Artist, delivered one of the most powerful speeches of the night. Instead of using her time to thank her team, label, or family, she took the opportunity to shine a light on a harsh reality in the music industry: the exploitation of artists.


Roan spoke candidly about her journey as a minor working under a record label, highlighting the financial struggles she faced, including being underpaid and lacking health insurance. She called on record labels to do better—pay artists a livable wage and provide healthcare to support the well-being of the people fueling their business.


Her words resonated deeply because they reflect an uncomfortable truth: the people creating the culture—whether musicians, designers, product developers, or factory workers—are often the ones least taken care of by the industries they sustain.


And that got me thinking.


The home goods, furniture, and décor industry employs thousands of people worldwide. Every product that enters a showroom, a retail store, or an e-commerce site has passed through countless hands—from designers to manufacturers, from warehouse workers to sales reps.


Yet, just like the music industry, the furniture and home goods sector faces fundamental challenges that impact fair wages, innovation, and long-term growth:

  • Selling furniture at a price point that consumers are willing to pay

  • Increasing the perception of value for luxury goods

  • Managing the high costs of product development and launches

  • Maintaining a steady flow of new SKUs to stay relevant

  • Ensuring a decent profit margin for business owners while supporting fair wages


These challenges have shaped the way business is done, but have also forced the industry into an unsustainable cycle.



The Profit-First Model vs. Sustainable Growth


As a product developer, tech founder, and business owner, I strongly believe that entrepreneurs are fully entitled to earning and keeping any and all profits from their risk, time, investment, and belief in their business. That’s capitalism, and I support it.


However, I also believe in education.


When people have access to knowledge, they gain options. And right now, this industry is limiting itself by prioritizing short-term gains over long-term sustainability.


For decades, furniture and décor brands have been locked into a pricing war—trying to drive down costs to maintain sales volume and cash flow.


The result?

  • Rushed product launches with little strategic planning

  • Excessive SKU counts with no clear narrative

  • Overseas production that prioritizes cost savings over fair labor practices

  • Low-margin deals that force brands to operate on razor-thin profits

  • And a lack of resources to develop new models and opportunities


This approach is stifling innovation, driving wages down, and preventing the industry from reinvesting in itself.


Just like in the music industry, where young artists are underpaid while record labels collect the majority of profits, the home goods industry is operating in a way that primarily benefits ownership while failing to properly invest in the people making the industry function.


And here’s the kicker—this isn’t even the most profitable way to do business.


There’s a better way.



What If We Rethought How the Home Goods Industry Operates?


If brands produced fewer SKUs, delayed product launches, and focused on developing compelling narratives around their collections—much like fashion and automotive brands do—more money could be reinvested into process improvements, innovation, and, yes, fair wages.


Think about companies like In-N-Out and Chick-fil-A. Their business model thrives because they focus on a limited product line, efficiency, and high value perception. They don’t chase trends. They own their space.


Now imagine if luxury furniture brands adopted the same mindset.


Instead of rushing dozens of new products to market every season, brands could:

  1. Slow down product development and focus on storytelling.

  2. Launch new collections strategically, with full-fledged marketing campaigns.

  3. Create an ecosystem where fewer products = higher perceived value.


The result?

  • Brands could charge premium prices without relying on deep discounts.

  • Manufacturers could afford to pay workers better wages.

  • Retailers wouldn’t have to cycle out products as frequently, reducing waste.

  • The industry could reinvest in tech, logistics, and talent development.


This isn’t just a dream—it’s already happening in other industries.



The Current Model is Failing, and We’re Ignoring It


The furniture and home goods industry is running on an outdated system. We still rely on trade markets and design centers like High Point, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Dallas, and the Pacific Design Center (PDC) in Los Angeles—despite the fact that these models were already in decline before COVID-19 and have failed to recover post-pandemic.


So why do we keep forcing a broken system to work?

  • Market attendance is down, but manufacturers keep spending millions on showrooms.

  • Retailers are struggling to bring in foot traffic, but brands keep pushing traditional distribution.

  • New generations of buyers expect seamless online shopping, yet brands invest little in digital sales strategies.


It's time to adapt.


During COVID, social media platforms built out livestream shopping features—essentially turning anyone with an internet connection into their own QVC or Home Shopping Network.


Yet, furniture manufacturers have been slow to embrace this shift.


I know because I tested it.


In 2020, I launched "In-Home Shopping, streamed LIVE on Facebook," featuring brands like Zuo Modern, Kidde First Safety, and Dal-Tile. The result? Hundreds of thousands of viewers, clicks, and purchases.


So what happened?


When the industry reopened in mid-2021, manufacturers rushed back to their old ways—doubling down on trade shows, showrooms, and wholesale accounts.


The problem?


Customers had changed.


Trade shows still aren’t attracting attendees like they used to. The people who do attend aren’t necessarily there to place big orders. And yet, brands continue to throw millions at outdated strategies instead of investing in the future.



It’s Time to Redesign the Industry—And It Starts With Education


Much like Chappell Roan called out the music industry for failing to take care of its artists, I believe the home goods industry needs to take care of its future.


Right now, the industry's leadership is aging out. There’s no real plan to mentor the next generation. And without new ideas, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.


The solution?

  • Transition from trade markets to an educational, conference-style model.

  • Invest in an industry-wide startup ecosystem to drive innovation.

  • Adopt a slow-release, high-value strategy for product launches.

  • Shift marketing dollars into digital-first, livestream shopping strategies.


The current model isn’t sustainable. We need to create a system where:

✔️ Products are launched with intention and purpose.

✔️ Manufacturers have room to reinvest in quality and wages.

✔️ The industry fosters mentorship and leadership development.


Right now, the corporations propping up the industry—Blackstone Investments (ANDMORE), Discovery Channel, and Condé Nast— have no incentive to change. They’re focused on their own profits.


That means it’s on us—the manufacturers, designers, and industry leaders—to push for something better.


And that starts with talking, sharing, and being open to change.


So, let’s talk. Let’s rethink the way this industry operates. Let’s build something sustainable.


What do you think?

15 views0 comments

Comments


Partnership

small-business-768x461_edited.jpg

Bookkeeping & financial records which results in your peace of mind.

Partnership

small-business-768x461_edited.jpg

HERO FLOORING + NIKE GRIND

Sponsored ad

small-business-768x461_edited.jpg

Digital Contact Cards

Sponsored ad

small-business-768x461_edited.jpg

Catalyzing bold change for a more resilient and inclusive small business ecosystem across the state of Colorado.

Partnership

small-business-768x461_edited.jpg

Custom Glass & Stone Mosaic and Wallpaper

Sponsored ad

small-business-768x461_edited.jpg

Capital One® VentureOne® - Explore VentureOne® Rewards

Sponsored ad

small-business-768x461_edited.jpg

Loans for Every Business-Related Need

Nathan James Tamlin Vintage Brass Wall Light Fixture

Bedside Wall Mount Light with Dimmer Switch

Plug in Dimmable Wall Sconces

Art3d 2 Wood Slat Acoustic Panels for Wall and Ceiling

Nordic Single Leather Sofa Designer Creative Leisure Single Chair

ACIYD Luxury Buffet Sideboard Bar Cabinet with Storage

CZDYUF Distinctive Sofa with Golden Legs

Hippo Shaped Coffee Table

Lladro - Niagara Chandelier

FEER Duplex Building Glass Villa Living Room lamp

Mellanni Queen Sheet Set - 4 PC Iconic Collection

Demeter Fragrance Library 3.4 Oz Cologne Spray - Play-doh

bottom of page