Interior Design Business Podcasts - Episode 60

Interior Design Business Podcasts Episode 60 - January 17, 2023

I’ve got 4 interior design podcasts to share with you today. Here’s hoping you learn a little something to help grow your biz.

Happy listening & learning…

  • A Well-Designed Business - LuAnn Nigara - John McClain: Turn Failure into Success - 1 hr, 16 min

  • Business Building By Design - Emily Janzen McGrath - Creating Consistency, Building a Sustainable Business and Creating Relationships that Last - 18 min

  • Business of Design - Kimberley Seldon - Thriving Past Adversity with Mairlyn Smith - 31 min

  • Convo By Design - Josh Cooperman - Powerful Design Advice and Different Paths from 4 Extremely Talented Creatives - 51 min


A Well-Designed Business - John McClain: Turn Failure into Success - 1 hr, 16 min

In today’s episode, host LuAnn Nigara is joined for the second time by John McClain. John is an accomplished interior designer, business coach, and author of The Designer Within. In this episode, he shares a bit about his back story with us—from crisis to conquest.

John is here to help you understand that you can learn and grow from your mistakes, and success can be born out of failure. John shares his dark night of the soul story with us, but it didn’t end there. He turned that rough patch into a catalyst to organize his business for the better. Since then he has implemented a “How We Work” document, detailed client contracts, flat fees, and non-negotiables because his business is worth it. He is worth it. And you are worth it.

Pick It Apart

  • [6:38] John shares his dark night of the soul story involving client credit cards, attorneys, a factory fire, and armed guards.

  • [20:35] John discusses the importance of knowing your company policies and non-negotiables, for example, he does not take credit card payments. 

  • [31:40] John and LuAnn discuss the importance of formal agreements and transparency with clients.

  • [35:41] LuAnn and John pick apart his pricing structure and flat fees, including his creative fee and project fulfillment fees.[57:29] John talks about the online courses for designers he offers, as well as his new book The Designer Within and the online course for homeowners that goes along with it.

LuAnn Nigara and John McClain's Ah-Ha Moments

  • “Until you've been through a serious business crisis, it's hard to know how it really cuts you in your gut.” – LuAnn Nigara 

  • “I don't care if you're a solopreneur or if you have 25 people working for you. Your company policy is your company policy. And that is what you have to stand by.” – John McClain

  • “A lot of people don't take the time to sit down and come up with the rules [of their business]. ” – John McClain

  • “You do have to take time—really getting clear with who you are, what you do, how you do it, why you do it, and your non-negotiables.” – LuAnn Nigara

  • “I want to be an advocate for other designers and out in the world, to really stand up for themselves. And to have a company philosophy, have a company vision have a company backbone that they can stand behind.” - John McClain

You can check out this podcast episode here:


Business Building By Design - Creating Consistency, Building a Sustainable Business and Creating Relationships that Last - 18 min

In today’s episode, host Emily Janzen McGrath chats with her niece Tess, co-owner of Anna & Anna Clothing Co. We talked about some struggles in our economic situation, dealing with “blah” after the holiday rush and building lasting relationships in our communities.

Some take-a ways from the show were:

  1. Be Consistent – Consistency is key when building a business. Show up!

  2. Do What you love! – if you aren’t doing something you love then move on…

  3. Social Media can be “ify” but Collaboration and Building Relationships last forever!

  4. Trial & Error – You don’t know if something will work unless you try! Don’t get discouraged, keep trying!

You can check out this podcast episode here:


Business of Design - Thriving Past Adversity with Mairlyn Smith - 31 min

In this episode, host Kimberley Seldon and her friend, actor and comedian, Marilyn Smith discuss life—ageism, sexism, setbacks and how to survive.   

In this episode we learn:

  • put it in writing before you change your life for an opportunity

  • journaling can help unlock the next path

  • failure or a roadblock can bring the best results

You can check out this podcast episode here:


Convo By Design - Powerful Design Advice and Different Paths from 4 Extremely Talented Creatives - 51 min

In today’s episode, host Josh Cooperman turns over his duties to Moya O’Neill of Moya Living. takes Over CXD featuring; .

Moya speaks with 3 talented designers - Laura Brophy, Jen Samson & Huma Sulaiman - who share their views on the nature of their work and state of the industry.

All four of these wonderful designers come to the work from different places and experiences. They differ greatly but all have at least one thing in common, an unwavering passion and belief in what they do. You cannot teach that, because it’s not a skill, it’s a choice.

You can check out this podcast episode here:


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Interior Design Business Podcasts - Episode 61

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Interior Design Business Podcasts - Episode 59