The McClain Method | Business Tools For Interior Designers
Welcome to The McClain Method — the go-to podcast for interior designers who want to grow a profitable, polished, and well-run design business.I’m your host, John McClain—award-winning interior designer, business mentor, author, and branding strategist. If you want to learn how to:• price your interior design services• attract high-value clients• streamline your design process• improve your client experience• elevate your brand and visibility• run your design firm with confidence…you’re in the right place.This podcast isn’t about pillows and paint swatches.Here, we focus on the business of interior design—marketing, pricing, branding, sales, systems, visibility, mindset, and e...
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89: The Most Expensive Lie Designers Tell Themselves with Staci Davidson
<p><b>The Most Expensive Lie Designers Tell Themselves</b></p><p>Most designers don’t struggle because of their creativity.<br/>They struggle because they believe a lie:</p><p>“I’m a designer. I shouldn’t have to deal with the backend of my business.”</p><p>In this episode of <b>The McClain Method Podcast</b>, John McClain sits down with Staci Davidson, founder of Everything But Design, to talk about the systems designers avoid—and why that avoidance quietly costs them time, money, and control.</p><p>From bookkeeping and procurement to processes, delegation, and profitability, this convers...
88: 5 Hard Truths That Changed My Design Business in 2025 (And What You Need to Know Before Next Year)
<p>88: 5 Hard Truths That Changed My Design Business in 2025 (And What You Need to Know Before Next Year)</p><p><b>SHOW NOTES:</b></p><p>In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, John McClain asks: are you running a beautiful design business that feels chaotic behind the scenes? This year-end reflection episode is for interior designers who are ready to work smarter, not harder.</p><p>In this episode, I'm sharing 5 business lessons that transformed my interior design business in 2025 and the practical strategies you can implement right now to build a more profitable, sustainable design firm.</p><...
87: Be the Unicorn in the Room: Visibility, Partnerships & Mindful Success with Antonio DeLoatch
<p><b>EPISODE 87 — Be the Unicorn in the Room: Visibility, Partnerships & Mindful Success with Antonio DeLoatch</b></p><p>If you're an interior designer craving more visibility, confidence, and high-quality clients, this episode is your new playbook.</p><p>I’m joined by NYC-based designer and mindfulness advocate <b>Antonio DeLoatch - </b>a man who has mastered becoming the unicorn in the room. Together, we unpack what it really takes to stand out in a crowded design industry, elevate your brand presence, and build a business rooted in clarity and intention.</p><p>We talk High Point Market strategy, story...
86: Three Reasons Designers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Through In 2026)
<p><b>Three Reasons Designers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Through In 2026)</b></p><p>If you’ve been feeling stuck in your design business — stuck at the same income level, stuck recreating your processes every time a new client reaches out, stuck second-guessing your pricing, or stuck behind a brand that doesn’t reflect your true talent — this episode is the shift you needed.</p><p>Today, John breaks down the three biggest reasons designers don’t grow (even when they’re working hard!) and teaches the mindset, strategy, and structure shifts he coaches inside The McClain Method. If you want...
85: The Hidden Reason Your Clients Don’t Feel Fully Taken Care Of
<p><b>The Hidden Reason Your Clients Don’t Feel Fully Taken Care Of</b></p><p>Even the most talented designers can unintentionally miss the small-but-critical details that shape how clients feel throughout (and especially at the end of) a project. And let’s be honest: clients remember the final 10% more than the first 90%.</p><p>In today’s episode, we’re diving into the quiet gap in most design businesses — the part that turns even the most beautiful projects into stressful, confusing experiences for clients.<br/><br/>We’ll talk about install-day chaos, missing FF&E clarity, post-project confusion, a...
84: Before You Scale: Why I Chose Alignment Over Expansion
<p>What if the version of success you’ve been chasing… isn’t actually yours?<br/> In this episode, John McClain gets personal about what happened when his business grew beyond what his soul was ready for — and why he made the decision to choose alignment over expansion.</p><p>From running two design offices across the country to finding peace and purpose in a smaller, more intentional business, John shares the real lessons behind sustainable success.</p><p>If you’ve ever felt pressure to “go big” before you were ready, this episode will remind you that the most successful busi...
83: 5 Proven Strategies to Build a Successful Interior Design Brand with Alena Capra
<p>In this episode of <b>The McClain Method Podcast</b>, I’m joined by nationally recognized designer, TV personality, and NKBA Person of the Year <b>Alena Capra</b> — a powerhouse in the world of interior design and brand partnerships.</p><p>We’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving design brand from the ground up — one that’s respected, recognizable, and rooted in authenticity.</p><p>Alena and I dive into:</p>🌟 <b>How to find your niche</b> and use it to stand out in a crowded design industry🤝 <b>The secret to la...
82: How To Use ChatGPT To Write Your Instagram Captions (The Right Way)
<p>If your Instagram captions or newsletters sound like a bad Hallmark card… I hate to break it to you, but I know AI wrote them.</p><p>And so does your audience. 👀</p><p>Here’s the deal: AI isn’t the problem. It’s actually a powerful tool — but if you’re handing it the mic and posting whatever it spits out, your content is going to sound robotic, generic, and totally forgettable. And luxury clients? They don’t hire forgettable.</p><p>In this episode of The McClain Method, I’m giving you the tough love (and the strategy) on:<...
81: How to Avoid Common Interior Design Business Mistakes with Ronniesha Rivera
<p><b>How to Avoid Common Interior Design Business Mistakes with Ronniesha Rivera</b></p><p>In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain discusses overcoming difficulties in the interior design business with guest <b>Ronniesha Rivera</b>, founder of Vetted By Design. </p><p>They talk about the importance of dealing with hardships, the challenges of finding good help, outsourcing effectively, and maintaining long-term profitability. They also delve into the specifics of hiring bookkeepers, accountants, and the crucial role of contracts. </p><p>Ronniesha shares her insights on delegating, managing contractor relations, and the essential role of...
80: Do it Afraid: Navigating Fear and Change in Design with Katie Decker-Erickson
<p><b>Do it Afraid: Navigating Fear and Change in Design</b></p><p>In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain speaks with Katie Derek Erickson, founder of Success by Design. </p><p>They discuss the importance of grit, perspective, and intuitive decision-making in business. Katie shares her journey from flipping houses to leading a multimillion-dollar commercial design firm and emphasizes the significance of sustainable design. The episode also touches on overcoming fear, the power of celebrating small wins, and the impact of having a defined 'why' in business. </p><p>14:18 Celebrating Success and Finding Joy</p>...
