91: What Holds Interior Designers Back: Sourcing Fear, Pricing Pushback, and Building Better Systems with Heather McManus

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 episode, we cover
• Why fear of mistakes keeps designers small, especially with sourcing and procurement
• What to say when a client finds the same item online for less
• How Designers Collaborative started and why buying power matters
• How shared vendor access can increase creative freedom and profitability
• Burnout, inspiration days, and how to recharge without “checking out” of your business
Links and resources
For more information on Heather McManus and The Designer's Collaborative:
heathermcmanus.com
thedesignerscollaborative.com
instagram.com/thedesignerscollaborative

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