Coffee with Creatives - October 6, 2025
Featuring
Tara Braatz of Tara Lee Interior Design
Rebecca Bertoldi of My Local Marketing Shop & 222 Marketing
Coffee with Creatives: October 6th – Flea Markets, Fabric Finds, & Fall Projects
Welcome to another edition of Coffee with Creatives! We’re here to brighten up your Monday, share some laughs, and get you inspired as we dive into the latest happenings in marketing, interior design, and creative living. Whether you’re sipping from a quirky mug, planning your next flea market trip, or thinking about redesigns, grab your coffee and join us for all the news, stories, and tips from Rebecca Bertoldi (your marketing friend) and Tara Broad (your go-to interior designer). Let’s get into everything that made this week special!
Good Morning & Mismatched Coffee Mugs
Happy Monday, friends! You know it's going to be a good show when the first thing we talk about is the weather and—of course—our favorite coffee mugs.
“So yeah, lots of great things are happening right now and we're gonna kick off with our coffee mugs…”
Today's Coffee Mug Lineup
Rebecca brought out her Hogwarts mug—the kind that changes when it gets hot (a true crowd pleaser, even though its magic had faded by the time she showed it off).
Tara, on the other hand, had her Charlie Brown “Good Grief” mug, planting the seeds of autumn nostalgia, even if the weather was stuck somewhere between late summer heat and early fall fog.
Coffee mugs always seem to set the tone for the show—quirky, personal, and just a little magical.
Weekend Adventures: Flea Markets, Candles & Thrifting
Both Tara and Rebecca spent their weekends exploring local gems, finding unique treasures, and adding to their growing collections.
By the Pond: A Thrifter’s Dream
Rebecca took her mom to “By the Pond,” a local spot in Columbia (just a drive through Willimantic), known for its eclectic mix of antiques, homewares, and random oddities. She found a pretty candle with a gold plate—so lovely she didn’t want to ever burn it. (“I probably won't burn it ever.”)
Tara reminds everyone that By the Pond is hosting a $5 bag sale this Sunday. Imagine stuffing a bag with as much as you can—all for five bucks. If you love treasure hunts, don't miss out!
Flea Market Finds in Mansfield
Tara suggests heading to the Mansfield Drive-In’s flea market for great deals, rare finds, and a little bit of everything (including laundry detergent!). Just a warning: it’s a huge place with rocky, uneven ground, so bring sturdy shoes if you want to cover the whole area.
Rebecca also picked up earrings that match her favorite wooden necklace, reminiscing about her adventures at New York’s flea markets.
The Value of Unique Finds
The joy of thrift shopping and flea marketing isn't just in the items you bring home—it's in the stories, hidden treasures, and the memories you make along the way.
“There's just so many neat finds… that was such a super day.”
Food & Local Shops: Hidden Culinary Gems
No creative adventure is complete without good food. Rebecca and Tara reminisced about a hidden eatery connected to a cute local store. Although they couldn’t remember the exact name, the experience made an impression:
Distracted as soon as they walked in by the store’s unique items.
Had to remind themselves to order food before exploring the shelves.
A reminder that someday, Rebecca dreams of having her own store!
High Grade Market near the train station was the likely spot, full of fascinating distractions and great eats.
Getting Creative: Pottery Paint Nights
Last week, Rebecca and her friend Tanya attended a pottery paint night at Willimantic Brewery. The choices? Either a mug or a pumpkin. Naturally, Rebecca went for the mug—because, as she put it:
“Because we host Coffee with Creatives, I went with the mug.”
The process was eye-opening. The glazes looked pastel and weird, but once fired, their true colors emerge. It made Rebecca appreciate ceramic artists even more—the uncertainty, the layers, the surprise when it’s all finished.
Rebecca’s creation promises to be a dark purple mug with gold and green accents, though the colors were a mystery until fired.
Tanya opted for an orange pumpkin mug complete with vines and details.
“That gives me, like, such a new appreciation for anybody doing this work… it is total guesswork.”
Concerts & The Fast Lane: Mohegan Sun & Weekend Fun
Not all weekends are about calm treasure hunts—sometimes, you just need music and excitement.
Tara spent most of her weekend at Mohegan Sun, catching the Keith Urban show (sold out, no less!).
She scored a spot on the floor and loved every minute.
Followed up the weekend with more treasure hunting at flea markets.
Another reminder that weekends have been flying by lately.
Big Projects, Beta Launches, and Exciting Developments
Rebecca’s Beta Program
Rebecca's week is all about launching her first beta program. She’s pouring her heart and soul into it, feeling the thrill (and nerves) of growth and transformation.
“I feel really good. It feels like my heart and soul is in this program, and I cannot wait to show other people how to get the results that I do.”
Tara’s Fabric-Focused Interior Design
Tara’s week is packed with interior design projects:
Her biggest project is in East Hampton, focusing on:
Master bedroom
Closet
Living room
She’s collaborating with a sewer for curtains, hand-picking fabulous fabrics.
They found a cabinet needing TLC—first, she’ll document those before-and-after moments for us.
Plus, Tara is hunting for chandeliers for a big Norwich commercial project (details still under wraps).
The Art & Strategy of Interior Design
Many folks think interior design is just about making things pretty. But Tara debunks that myth:
“Not everything… is just pretty. I am definitely looking at everything. Talking to architects, you know, the trade, making sure that those little things are done first, and then we can make it pretty after that.”
Window Displays: Catching Eyes & Driving Traffic
A well-designed window pulls people in. Tara explains:
Your window should:
Relate to your business
Grab attention from people walking or driving by
Staging is critical—make people stop, look, and come inside.
“That's important. That's how you get your traffic in the door. It's just like staging anything.”
Inside the Store: Wowing with Layouts & Displays
Once inside, layout and traffic flow matter as much as the window display:
Items should be displayed correctly.
The store should feel welcoming, not cramped.
Angles, proportions, and pathways—all considered in Tara’s design approach.
Proportion Matters: Chandeliers & Room Size
The right chandelier can transform a room—but it has to fit the size and scale of the space.
Commercial & Residential: Growing & Expanding Creative Services
Tara is focusing more on commercial interior design (while still working with residential clients). She’s open to:
Coffee shop redesigns
Tea shops
Window displays for stores
Any commercial space in need of fresh design
Reach out if you have new construction, commercial properties, or even just need a standout store window!
Quick Lessons: Fabrics, Traffic, & the Secrets of Design
Ever wondered what goes into choosing the right fabric for your furniture?
Upholstery Tips:
Fabric should be thick and suitable for upholstery—thin shirt material won’t last.
Be careful with velvets—they wear out quickly if heavily used. Tara prefers them on the back of chairs, not the seat.
Printed or patterned fabric helps camouflage wear (think busy carpets in high-traffic spots like Mohegan Sun).
“There's so many people coming in and out of those doors all the time. They can't keep replacing everything every day. So it masks a lot.”
Traffic Patterns & Airbnb Refreshes
Great design isn't just about looks—it's about functioning spaces:
Traffic patterns matter, especially in Airbnb rentals (or any hospitality venue).
If you want to refresh your Airbnb for next season, Tara’s your go-to designer—she can help you create a unique theme that’s Instagram-worthy and allows you to charge more.
Staging: Consultations, Experience & What Really Happens
Homeowners, realtors, and even Airbnb hosts can benefit from Tara’s expertise in staging.
Three Levels of Staging Services
Consultation Stage
One hour walkthrough
Moving existing furniture to optimize photographs and flow
Homework for homeowners (decluttering, depersonalizing, cleaning)
Partial Stage
Hands-on help with realtors
Incorporating Tara’s own design decor where needed
Making sure basics (like toilet seats!) aren’t missed when photographing
Full Stage
Furnishing and decorating up to four houses at once
All decor comes from Tara’s own inventory
Needs lead time—no overnight turnarounds!
“I have a lot going into everything that I do. It's the trucks, it's people helping me behind the scenes to get furniture there. And you know, the setup takes the longest because I'm thinking and I'm moving and it could... I may need three days to at least stage it, sometimes four depending on size wise.”
How Much Lead Time?
A week is a good minimum, but larger homes may need more. Tara says she should really record the process—so people can see just how much goes on behind the scenes.
Upcoming Workshops: Meta Ads & Google Ads
Rebecca is gearing up for a big week of workshops for small business marketing. If you're running Facebook or Instagram (Meta) ads and frustrated by poor results, don't miss her upcoming session:
Meta Ads Workshop: October 14th
Regular price: $97
Use code
beatmetato get it for just $7!
She’ll also be running a Google Ads class later in the month, designed to help small businesses stop overpaying and start seeing real results.
Community Spotlight: Shop Local & Get Involved
Rebecca and Tara are always on the lookout to feature local business owners. If you run a shop, create something amazing, or have a unique story—reach out! They’d love to visit, spotlight your business, and help the community learn about new favorites.
You can join them live on air or pre-record if Monday mornings don’t fit your schedule.
Bring your favorite mug, share your creative journey, and be part of the creative conversation.
Quick Links & Upcoming Events
By the Pond $5 Bag Sale: This Sunday—pack a bag with anything you can fit for $5!
Meta Ads Workshop: October 14th (discount code
beatmeta)Google Ads Class: Details coming soon
Contact Tara for Interior Design or Staging: Especially for commercial spaces, stores, Airbnb refreshes, coffee shops
Want your business featured? Reach out for a segment!
Wrapping Up: Kindness, Patience, & Monday Motivation
As the show wraps up, Rebecca and Tara offer reminders that matter:
“Remember to always stay kind. You never know what anyone's going through out there. Bring your patience with you and we look forward to seeing you next Monday.”
Whether you’re heading off to tackle big design projects, sort through workshop notes, plan your next flea market trip, or just nurse a mug of coffee—let’s carry forward good vibes, a spirit of adventure, and a determination to shop local, stay creative, and support one another.
See you next Monday!
Coffee with Creatives airs live on Mondays—bring your favorite mug and tune in for laughs, tips, community connections, and creative conversation!
Connect With Us!
Have questions about design, marketing, flea market finds, or workshops? Drop them in the comments below!
Want to be the next guest on Coffee with Creatives? Reach out!
Interested in Tara's design services, staging, or Airbnb consultation? Contact Tara Broad directly.
Ready for Rebecca’s marketing workshops to boost your small business? Get details and register now!
Standout Quote of the Week
“You never know what anyone's going through out there. Bring your patience with you and we look forward to seeing you next Monday.”
Thanks for joining us! Wishing you a creative, kind, and successful week ahead.
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