The McClain Method | Business Tools For Interior Designers

John McClain
  • 4.7 (24)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Bimonthly

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 everything it actually takes to build a thriving design firm. Each episode gives you clear strategies, actionable tools, and behind-the-scenes insights you can use immediately to grow your business and elevate your clients’ experience. If you’re ready to step into your next level as an interior designer—and finally run a business that reflects your brilliance—welcome home.

  1. 15h ago

    99: How to (Profitably) Use Antiques in a Modern Interior Design Business with Debbie Mathews

    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 luxury design studio, and what designers need to know before sourcing antique furniture for clients. This conversation is practical, grounded, and especially helpful for designers who love the idea of antiques but are unsure how to use them confidently or profitably. WHAT WE COVER: Why antiques are relevant again in interior design Debbie explains how clients are looking for homes that feel personal, collected, sustainable, and connected to the past. Antiques offer warmth, story, and a sense of permanence that newer pieces often cannot replicate. How an antique showroom can support a design business Debbie breaks down how her antique showroom and interior design studio operate as separate businesses, even though they support each other. She shares why each business needs its own numbers, staff, and processes. What designers should know before adding retail John and Debbie talk about the dream many designers have of opening a retail shop, and why it is important to understand the business side before adding another revenue stream. Mistakes designers make when sourcing antiques Debbie shares the importance of inspecting every inch of a piece before buying. She talks about checking drawers, legs, hardware, repairs, comfort, finish, dimensions, and whether the piece is truly functional. How to price and profit from antiques The conversation covers antique markups, shipping, tariffs, repairs, rewiring, upholstery, and the difference between sourcing stateside and sourcing in Europe. The 80/20 rule for mixing antiques and new pieces Debbie recommends choosing a clear direction: either 80% new with 20% antique, or 80% antique with 20% new. This helps a room feel intentional instead of hodgepodge. Why storytelling sells antiques Debbie and John both emphasize that stories help clients connect with antiques. Whether it is a piece from France, a tapestry from Paris, or a chest with visible history, the story often becomes part of the value. GUEST LINKS: Guest website: www.DebbieMathews.com   Instagram: @DebbieMathewsHome https://www.instagram.com/debbiemathewshome Resources mentioned:  1stDibs, mentioned as a research and sourcing platform  Chairish, mentioned as a research and sourcing platform  Etsy, mentioned as a sourcing platform with reviews  eBay, mentioned as a sourcing platform  High Point Market Antique and Design Center, mentioned as a place to learn from antique vendorsText Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this free 39-minute training for interior designers and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/

    1h 6m

  2. Jun 13

    98: Stop Trying to Keep Everyone Happy: 5 Permission Slips You Need Today

    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, and not every disappointed person deserves a vote in your next decision. This episode is about learning to listen thoughtfully without abandoning yourself. John walks through five permission slips for navigating criticism, boundaries, business decisions, and the exhausting habit of trying to prove yourself to people who may never fully understand you. Because two things can be true. Someone can feel disappointed by your decision, and your decision can still be right. Someone can misunderstand your intention, and you can still know that you communicated honestly. You can care deeply about people, and you can still protect your peace. In This Episode, You Will Learn  Why being misunderstood does not always mean you communicated poorly  How to separate useful feedback from criticism that asks you to shrink  Why disappointing someone is sometimes the healthiest business decision  How to hold a clear scope of work without apologizing for it  Why changing your mind can be a sign of growth, not failure  How simplifying your business can create better work and better profit  The difference between protecting your peace and avoiding a necessary conversation  Why the right client wants your expertise, not a yes person  How to stop proving yourself and start choosing better-fit relationships The 5 Permission Slips  You are allowed to be misunderstood.  You are allowed to disappoint people.  You are allowed to change your mind.  You are allowed to protect your peace before you reach the breaking point.  You are allowed to stop proving yourself. A Question to Take With You Which permission slip hit you right in the chest today? Choose one. Write it down. Then take one action this week that proves you believe it. Send the email. Schedule the meeting. Clarify the scope. Review the agreement. Update your consultation questions. Decline the project. Make the decision. You do not need everybody else to approve before you move forward. Share This Episode Send this episode to the person who has been twisting themselves into a pretzel trying to keep everybody happy. They may need one of these permission slips too. Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this free 39-minute training for interior designers and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/

    40 min

  3. May 30

    97: The Science of How Interior Design Affects Behavior, Wellbeing, and Daily Life with Eryn Oruncak

    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 think, feel, and function. Eryn explains why great design goes deeper than visual style. A room can support clarity, comfort, productivity, and a sense of belonging. It can also reduce friction in daily life by helping clients move through their routines with more ease. This conversation explores how designers can pay closer attention to the way clients respond to materials, color, light, layout, and the overall feeling of a room. Eryn also shares how this deeper understanding has helped her communicate her value more clearly, guide clients with confidence, and create spaces that feel complete. In This Episode  What neuroaesthetics means in plain language  How interior design affects behavior, wellbeing, and daily routines  Why client preferences go deeper than visual style  How clutter and unresolved spaces can add to cognitive load  The importance of asking better questions during the design process  Why designers should observe physical and emotional responses to materials  How coherence, fascination, and hominess work together in a finished room  Why completing a space matters for the client experience  How designers can explain the deeper value behind their decisions A Practical Question for Designers One of the simplest takeaways from the conversation is to review a project and ask: How is this room serving the client? That question can open a deeper conversation about function, comfort, clarity, investment, and the choices that still need to be made. About Eryn Oruncak Eryn Oruncak is the founder of Elan Design. She is an interior designer and fine artist whose work focuses on creating deeply customized spaces that support the people living and working inside them. She also consults with designers, schools, stores, builders, developers, and organizations interested in understanding how environments affect behavior and wellbeing. Resources Learn more about Eryn Oruncak and Elan Design:  https://www.elan.design/  Explore the neuroaesthetics resources and consultation information on the Elan Design website   Use code John for $100 off a one-hour neuroaesthetics consultation  Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this free 39-minute training for interior designers and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/

    1h 6m

  4. May 8

    96: Confessions from a Trade Show: Designing for the Way People Actually Live

    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 than designing for attention  The difference between exclusive design and approachable design  What Milan taught me about industry pressure and expectations  Why practical, livable interiors are not less sophisticated  The danger of designing for peers instead of clients  How to stay grounded in your own design perspective  Why relationships still matter in this industry  The importance of creating spaces that support the way people actually live I also share some behind-the-scenes thoughts from both Milan Design Week and High Point Market, including what surprised me most during both experiences. If you have ever questioned whether you are “doing enough” as a designer because of what you see online or in the industry, this episode is your reminder that clarity, functionality, and understanding your clients will always matter more than hype. Mentioned in This Episode  Milan Design Week  Salone del Mobile  High Point Market  ASID presentations  Discovery calls and messaging for designers Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this free 39-minute training for interior designers and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/

    26 min

  5. Apr 17

    95: Why Interior Designers Need to Understand Construction to Grow Their Business with Renee Biery

    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 becoming a contractor. It is about understanding the process well enough to lead it. SHOW NOTES (CLEAN + NATURAL) There is a part of the design process that most designers avoid. Not because they do not care about it. But because no one really teaches it. Construction. In this episode, I sit down with Renee Biery, interior designer, educator, and host of The Only Girl on the Job Site podcast, to talk about what this phase actually looks like and why it matters more than most designers realize. We get into the reality of working with contractors, how communication breaks down, and why designers often feel out of place on a job site. But more importantly, we talk about how to change that. Because your role does not stop at selecting finishes. It evolves. And when you understand how to step into that role, everything shifts. The client experience improves. The project runs smoother. And your value becomes a lot more clear. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT Why construction feels intimidating for so many designers The real role of a designer once a project moves beyond design How to communicate with contractors without overstepping What contractors actually expect from you Where designers unintentionally create friction on job sites Why being involved early changes everything The difference between knowing everything and knowing enough How construction work can stabilize your business long term THE CORE IDEA You are not there to control the project. You are there to translate it. And when you understand that, your role becomes a lot more powerful. About Renee Biery: Renée Biery is a Luxury Interior Designer, Podcast Host and Construction Expert Featured by Washington Post, New Old House, Miami Herald and Homes & Gardens.  Website: https://devignierdesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devignierdesign Podcast: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/ Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this free 39-minute training for interior designers and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/

    1h 21m

  6. Mar 29

    94: How To Set Up Your AI Once So It Actually Works Every Time

    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’ll Learn  Why AI feels generic or off  The real reason it’s not saving you time  How to use it beyond captions  One simple setup step that changes everything Your One Action Step Set it up properly. Work Along Workshop How I Use AI in My Interior Design Business (and How You Can Too) May 13, 2026 • Live + Replay You’ll set this up with me in real time. $47 (price increases May 8) 👉 McClainMethod.com/ai Final Thought You don’t need more tools. You need a better way to use what you already have. Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this free 39-minute training for interior designers and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/

    28 min

  7. Mar 14

    93: AI Is Changing Interior Design. Here’s How to Stay Irreplaceable

    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 realistically support in your business, what it will never replace, and why the human side of design is becoming even more valuable. You will hear practical examples of how AI can help with everyday operational tasks like emails, workflows, documentation, and marketing. McClain also explains why emotional intelligence, client trust, real-time decision making, and creative intuition remain core differentiators that technology cannot replicate. This conversation offers both reassurance and direction. Instead of avoiding AI or feeling overwhelmed by it, designers are encouraged to begin using it in small, strategic ways. The goal is not to compete with technology, but to let it handle speed and repetition while you focus on leadership, creativity, and client experience. McClain also discusses why the interior design industry is uniquely positioned in an AI-driven landscape. As fast and generic solutions become more available, bespoke thinking, personal attention, and a clear design philosophy become stronger competitive advantages. If you have been wondering how to stay relevant, visible, and trusted as AI continues to evolve, this episode provides a grounded place to start. To get your own copy of the Free 25 Prompts for AI: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/harnessing_ai_prompts Text Me a Message! FREE VIDEO TRAINING DIRECT FROM JOHN: Design feels natural. The business side doesn’t. Join this free 39-minute training for interior designers and learn the 3 secrets to building a profitable, stress-free design business without burnout or chaos. 👉 Watch the free training: https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/

    36 min

  8. Feb 21

    92: Your Next Hire Doesn't Need Benefits: How Interior Designers Can Build an AI Team

    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 running bi-coastal offices and feeling stretched thin, he realized AI wasn’t about better prompts. It was about better infrastructure. This episode walks you through: Why AI feels generic when you use it casuallyThe junk drawer analogy that explains most AI frustrationThe difference between using a tool and building a systemHow to think of AI as specific assistants with specific rolesWhy onboarding matters, even for artificial intelligenceThe foundational document that makes everything workHow small firms can gain leverage without hiring more staffThe real emotional shift that happens when the system carries the weightIf you’re a solo designer or running a small firm and wearing every hat, this episode will reframe what’s actually possible. This is the beginning of a deeper conversation about building infrastructure instead of chasing output. Because your next hire might not need benefits. Text Me a Message! Support the show 🌟 For all things John and The McClain Method, head to: www.mcclainmethod.com https://mcclainmethod.com/ for information on coaching, memberships, & more! Sign up for my free 40 min training: The 3 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming an Interior Designer https://www.mcclainmethod.com/dsa_webinar_registration 📕 Order a signed copy of John's book: The Designer Within (or purchase anywhere books are sold!) https://johnmcclaindesign.com/designerwithin Connect With John! YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/themcclainmethod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mcclainmethod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohnmcclain/

    19 min
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4.7
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

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 everything it actually takes to build a thriving design firm. Each episode gives you clear strategies, actionable tools, and behind-the-scenes insights you can use immediately to grow your business and elevate your clients’ experience. If you’re ready to step into your next level as an interior designer—and finally run a business that reflects your brilliance—welcome home.

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