The McClain Method | Business Tools For Interior Designers

Episode Overview In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, John McClain sits down with Debbie Mathews LeRoy, owner and principal designer of Debbie Mathews Antiques and Designs in Nashville, to talk about antiques, sourcing, retail, and profitability inside a modern interior design business. Debbie shares why antiques are becoming relevant again, how she blends her antique showroom with her l...

Stop Trying to Keep Everyone Happy: 5 Permission Slips You Need Today What happens when you speak honestly, hold a boundary, or make a decision that is right for you, and someone else does not like it? In this episode, John shares the story behind a recent one-star podcast review and the reminder that followed: not every criticism is an instruction, not every misunderstanding requires a rewrite, a...

The Science of How Interior Design Affects Behavior, Wellbeing, and Daily Life Interior designers know when a room feels right. But what is actually happening beneath the surface? In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, John McClain sits down with Eryn Oruncak, founder of Elan Design, to talk about neuroaesthetics and the science behind how thoughtfully designed spaces affect the way people...

After attending Milan Design Week and then heading straight to High Point Market, I found myself sitting with a lot of thoughts about our industry, our clients, and what actually matters when it comes to design. This episode is a very honest reflection on the contrast between those two experiences and the bigger lesson I walked away with. I talk about:  Why designing for real life matters more tha...

Most designers are comfortable talking about design. Very few are comfortable talking about what happens after. In this episode, I sit down with Renee Biery to unpack what actually happens when a project moves into construction. We talk about the gap most designers have, why contractors operate the way they do, and how your role shifts in this phase whether you realize it or not. This is not about...

Episode 94: Set Up Your AI Once So It Actually Works Every Time Most designers are using AI. But they’re barely scratching the surface. And it’s costing them time every week. In this episode, I break down what I saw at Design Edge and why most designers feel like AI isn’t working for them. This isn’t about tools. It’s about setting it up the right way so it actually helps your business. What You’l...

AI is everywhere right now, and for many interior designers, it brings a quiet but very real fear. Not fear of learning something new. Not fear of using new tools. But fear of becoming irrelevant. In this episode, McClain shares highlights from a recent presentation designed to help designers better understand how artificial intelligence is changing the industry. He explains what AI can realistica...

If AI hasn’t worked for you yet, it’s probably not the tool. It’s not the prompts. It’s not that you’re behind. And it’s not that AI “doesn’t work for designers.” It’s an organization problem. In this episode, John breaks down why most interior designers are using AI like a junk drawer and how shifting from “tool” thinking to “team” thinking completely changed how he runs his business. After runni...

Interior design can feel isolating, and sourcing can feel risky, especially when clients shop online and question your pricing. In this episode, John McClain sits down with interior designer Heather McManus to talk about what actually holds designers back, how collaboration can change the game, and why transparent systems are the key to better sourcing, better margins, and less burnout. In this ep...

This episode is a little different. In a time that feels heavy, confusing, and deeply human, John speaks honestly about the fear many business owners carry when it comes to speaking their values. This conversation is not about shouting online or debating politics. It’s about alignment. It’s about understanding why neutrality still communicates something, why your business is never separate from yo...

The Most Expensive Lie Designers Tell Themselves Most designers don’t struggle because of their creativity. They struggle because they believe a lie: “I’m a designer. I shouldn’t have to deal with the backend of my business.” In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast , John McClain sits down with Staci Davidson, founder of Everything But Design , to talk about the systems designers avoid—and w...

88: 5 Hard Truths That Changed My Design Business in 2025 (And What You Need to Know Before Next Year) SHOW NOTES: 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. In this episode, I'm sharing 5...

EPISODE 87 — Be the Unicorn in the Room: Visibility, Partnerships & Mindful Success with Antonio DeLoatch If you're an interior designer craving more visibility, confidence, and high-quality clients, this episode is your new playbook. I’m joined by NYC-based designer and mindfulness advocate Antonio DeLoatch -  a man who has mastered becoming the unicorn in the room. Together, we unpack w...

Three Reasons Designers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Through In 2026) 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. Today, John breaks down the three bi...

The Hidden Reason Your Clients Don’t Feel Fully Taken Care Of 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%. In today’s episode, we’re diving into the quiet gap in most design businesses — the part th...

What if the version of success you’ve been chasing… isn’t actually yours?  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. From running two design offices across the country to finding peace and purpose in a smaller, more intentional business, John shares the...

In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast , I’m joined by nationally recognized designer, TV personality, and NKBA Person of the Year Alena Capra — a powerhouse in the world of interior design and brand partnerships. 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. Alena...

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. And so does your audience. 👀 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...

How to Avoid Common Interior Design Business Mistakes with Ronniesha Rivera In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain discusses overcoming difficulties in the interior design business with guest Ronniesha Rivera , founder of Vetted By Design.  They talk about the importance of dealing with hardships, the challenges of finding good help, outsourcing effectively, and maintaini...

Do it Afraid: Navigating Fear and Change in Design In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain speaks with Katie Derek Erickson, founder of Success by Design.  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 signi...

Episode 79: Clutter-Free Life – Transform Your Space, Transform Your Mindset with Helen Sanderson In today’s episode of The McClain Method Podcast , we’re diving into the powerful connection between your home environment and mental wellness. I’m joined by Helen Sanderson , the UK’s leading expert on the psychology of clutter and the author of The Secret Life of Clutter .  Helen is here to show us...

Episode 78: How Instagram’s Search Engine Update Can Help You Get Found and Grow Your Business Hey y’all, welcome back to The McClain Method Podcast ! Today, I’m bringing you some amazing information from my YouTube channel and adapting it for the podcast. If you haven’t subscribed to my YouTube yet, check out https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn for more content with visuals! In today’s episode,...

What do interior designers, creatives, and wellness founders have in common? Most of them hate selling—but still need to do it daily. In this episode, John sits down with Christopher Francis, engineer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of Home Plunge, the world’s first cold plunge designed for your home bathtub.  Drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs and his own experience bridging product design with...

76: You’re Not Lazy—You’re Exhausted: Rethinking Productivity and Self-Worth 📝 Episode Description / Show Notes: What if the real problem isn’t your motivation, your to-do list, or your morning routine? What if you’re not lazy—you’re exhausted ? In this powerful conversation, John McClain sits down with wellness expert and founder of bnourished, Katie McDonald , to challenge everything we’ve been...

75: How to Grow Your Business Using Your Own Story with Jude Charles In a world of AI-generated content and generic captions, how do you make your brand actually stand out ? In this powerful episode, John is joined once again by storytelling expert and filmmaker Jude Charles for a heartfelt, thought-provoking conversation about what truly connects clients to your brand: your story . Together, they...