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Success by Design - Mastering the Business of Interior Design
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.
I'm your host, Katie Erickson
I’m a commercial exterior and interior designer with an MBA and nearly 20 years in the industry. When I’m not leading my coast-to-coast, multi-million dollar firm, I love sharing real talk on the business of design, blending insights from 20 years as a business professor. I keep it honest—balancing work and chasing my two girls around.
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.
Interested In Sponsoring The Podcast?
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.
insightful conversations & super RELATABLE!
Excited for a podcast directed towards interior designers that covers the business and creative mindsets needed to run a successful firm. Throwing in life balance to every conversation makes this super relatable. Great conversations.
Colorful Conversations is like having a fun chat with your artsy friend who also knows how to create success! Katie's podcast is a must-listen for folks who love design and want to make money from their creative passions. She keeps you in the loop about the latest design trends while dropping priceless tips on turning your creativity into a successful business. Whether you're a design enthusiast or a budding entrepreneur, Katie's show is a goldmine of ideas and inspiration. So, tune in and get ready to blend style and success with her friendly and informative episodes – you won't want to miss it!
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Listener Reviews
insightful conversations & super RELATABLE!
Excited for a podcast directed towards interior designers that covers the business and creative mindsets needed to run a successful firm. Throwing in life balance to every conversation makes this super relatable. Great conversations.
Colorful Conversations is like having a fun chat with your artsy friend who also knows how to create success! Katie's podcast is a must-listen for folks who love design and want to make money from their creative passions. She keeps you in the loop about the latest design trends while dropping priceless tips on turning your creativity into a successful business. Whether you're a design enthusiast or a budding entrepreneur, Katie's show is a goldmine of ideas and inspiration. So, tune in and get ready to blend style and success with her friendly and informative episodes – you won't want to miss it!
Why Don't you leave us a Review too?
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