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Interior Design Business Strategy That Works in a Downturn [The Table]
Interior designers, mark this moment: this is not just another podcast episode—it’s a masterclass in how to lead your business through chaos. In the latest quarterly roundtable of The Table on the Success by Design podcast, I invited two of the most respected minds in our industry, LuAnn Nigara and John McClain to pull up a chair and talk shop. But not just any shop. We dove into the murky waters of economic uncertainty—a topic that’s foggy at best and terrifying at worst.
And trust me, you’re going to want to eavesdrop.
Why Interior Designers Can’t Afford to Miss This One
This conversation gets honest. Raw. A little sassy (John brings martinis, I promise). And most importantly, actionable. It’s not a doom spiral—it’s a blueprint for resiliency, revenue, and relevancy when everything around you feels shaky.
Here’s a teaser of what we uncovered:
The two realities of every firm right now: Clients are pausing… and creatives are burned out. John names both. Lu tells you how to rise above both.
LuAnn’s signature mic drop: “Always be marketing. Period.” And she backs it up with numbers from 43 years in business.
What your social strategy is missing (Hint: if your marketing plan stops at “post pretty pictures,” you’re not marketing).
The designer-for-a-day model that’s saving revenue—and how it can become your fastest track to full-service clients.
KPIs, bonus culture, and the secret to making your team think like owners—without handing over the reins.
Emergency protocols for when business is bleeding. LuAnn opens up about the make-or-break moment that almost closed Window Works—and exactly how they turned it around.
Newsletter > Instagram? We said it. And you might be ignoring the most powerful tool in your arsenal.
The mindset shift no one talks about: Your feelings are valid… but they’re not always true. (We said what we said.)
If You’re a Business Owner Who’s:
Feeling a little off but not sure how bad it really is,
Second-guessing your pricing or your pipeline,
Ready to stop surviving and start scaling again…
Then this conversation? It’s your lifeline. And you’ll leave it with a punch list, a renewed mindset, and a reason to believe in the longevity of your business—even now.
Because the only thing worse than feeling uncertain—is doing it alone. And at The Table, you’ve got a seat. Let’s go.
Connect with John McClain
Connect with LuAnn Nigara
Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson
Book Your Coaching Session with Katie!
Click Here to read the full episode transcript.
This episode of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
Meet Katie, a dynamic PODCAST host and successful entrepreneur.
Former news anchor turned leader of a multimillion-dollar design firm, Katie's passion lies in uncovering brilliance and sharing design and business secrets. Her insatiable curiosity, honed in the media spotlight, fuels enlightening conversations on her podcast, offering a platform for wisdom-seeking design enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Interior Design Business Strategy That Works in a Downturn [The Table]
Interior designers, mark this moment: this is not just another podcast episode—it’s a masterclass in how to lead your business through chaos. In the latest quarterly roundtable of The Table on the Success by Design podcast, I invited two of the most respected minds in our industry, LuAnn Nigara and John McClain to pull up a chair and talk shop. But not just any shop. We dove into the murky waters of economic uncertainty—a topic that’s foggy at best and terrifying at worst.
And trust me, you’re going to want to eavesdrop.
Why Interior Designers Can’t Afford to Miss This One
This conversation gets honest. Raw. A little sassy (John brings martinis, I promise). And most importantly, actionable. It’s not a doom spiral—it’s a blueprint for resiliency, revenue, and relevancy when everything around you feels shaky.
Here’s a teaser of what we uncovered:
The two realities of every firm right now: Clients are pausing… and creatives are burned out. John names both. Lu tells you how to rise above both.
LuAnn’s signature mic drop: “Always be marketing. Period.” And she backs it up with numbers from 43 years in business.
What your social strategy is missing (Hint: if your marketing plan stops at “post pretty pictures,” you’re not marketing).
The designer-for-a-day model that’s saving revenue—and how it can become your fastest track to full-service clients.
KPIs, bonus culture, and the secret to making your team think like owners—without handing over the reins.
Emergency protocols for when business is bleeding. LuAnn opens up about the make-or-break moment that almost closed Window Works—and exactly how they turned it around.
Newsletter > Instagram? We said it. And you might be ignoring the most powerful tool in your arsenal.
The mindset shift no one talks about: Your feelings are valid… but they’re not always true. (We said what we said.)
If You’re a Business Owner Who’s:
Feeling a little off but not sure how bad it really is,
Second-guessing your pricing or your pipeline,
Ready to stop surviving and start scaling again…
Then this conversation? It’s your lifeline. And you’ll leave it with a punch list, a renewed mindset, and a reason to believe in the longevity of your business—even now.
Because the only thing worse than feeling uncertain—is doing it alone. And at The Table, you’ve got a seat. Let’s go.
Connect with John McClain
Connect with LuAnn Nigara
Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson
Book Your Coaching Session with Katie!
Click Here to read the full episode transcript.
This episode of Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
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