I’ve been podcasting for over a decade. Week after week, I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with inspiring guests—architects, business leaders, authors, and creatives—who generously share their knowledge with our community of small firm architects. But every once in a while, I feel a different kind of conversation is needed. One that’s not about interviews or guest insights. One that’s just you and me.
That’s why I created Solo Sessions.
These episodes are a return to something that’s always been part of this show—direct, honest conversations about the real work of being a small firm entrepreneur architect. No guests. No scripts. Just space to reflect, reframe, and reconnect with what matters most.
In this week’s Solo Session, episode 603 of the EntreArchitect Podcast, I explore the powerful and complex relationship among vision, business growth, and fear. It’s a personal topic. And I think it’s one we don’t talk about enough in our profession.
I encourage you to listen to the full episode at entrearchitect.com/603.
Here are my biggest takeaways and lessons to share.
Your Vision Will Invite Fear
If you’ve ever had a vision for your life or your firm that made your stomach turn—that little knot of anxiety that says, “Can I really do this?”—you’re not alone.
In fact, that’s exactly how it should feel.
Vision isn’t about checklists or SMART goals. It’s not about next steps or incremental improvements. Real vision is something deeper. It lives in your gut. It’s that bold, almost-too-big-to-say-out-loud picture of your future that feels more like remembering than imagining.
But vision, by its very nature, will always invite fear. That’s part of the deal.
Because a vision that’s big enough to change your life—and maybe even the world—demands that you become someone new. It pushes you beyond the edges of who you’ve been. And that’s where fear shows up.
What if I fail?
What if people think I’m arrogant?
What if I lose everything I’ve worked for?
If you’ve ever asked those questions, I want you to know: you’re on the right path. Fear shows up when something truly matters.
Growth Is a Stretching Process
Let’s talk about growth. Specifically, business growth.
Now, I know that word alone can bring up some resistance. I talk to many architects who say, “I like being small. I don’t want to grow just for the sake of it.” And I hear that. Growth doesn’t mean building a giant firm or giving up your values.
Growth means stretching into who you need to become in order to build the business—and the life—you were meant to build.
And guess what? It’s uncomfortable.
Growth means risk. It means hiring people, letting go of control, turning down “good” work so you can say yes to the “great” work. It means being responsible for more, learning new skills, and leading in new ways.
And yes, it means feeling fear.
But that fear? It’s not a sign you’re doing something wrong. It’s a sign you’re growing. It means you’re evolving.
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is this: You can’t have growth without fear.
Fear is part of the process. It’s not the obstacle—it’s the path.
Perfection Is a Trap
As architects, we’re trained to get things right.
Precision is our language. We double-check dimensions, we obsess over details, and we work in a world where mistakes can cost us—money, time, credibility.
And that perfectionism often carries over into how we run our businesses.
We wait for the perfect plan before taking the first step. We don’t launch until everything is just right. We believe we have to have all the answers before we move forward.
But in business, perfection is a trap. It paralyzes us.
Fear gets louder when we believe we have to know everything before we act. And the truth is, none of us have all the answers.
The most successful small firm architects I know are the ones who learned how to move through fear—not avoid it. They take the next step. They get it wrong. They course-correct. They keep going.
Business success isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction. It’s about progress.
Fear Is a Compass
Here’s the reframe: Fear is not your enemy. It’s a compass.
Fear shows you where the edge is. It highlights what matters. It reveals the parts of your life and your business that are ripe for transformation.
So what if, instead of pushing fear away, you invited it to walk beside you?
What if you asked, “What are you trying to protect?” What if you saw fear as a guide pointing you toward growth?
In this Solo Session, I share how I’ve learned to see fear not as a red light, but as a green light with a caution sign. Yes, you need to be smart. Yes, you need to be thoughtful. But if fear is present, it likely means you’re on the brink of something important.
Let fear inform you—but don’t let it stop you.
You Are Not Alone
Here’s the most important thing I want you to take away:
You’re not alone in this.
Running a small firm can be isolating. We spend so much time in our heads, trying to figure it all out, thinking we’re the only ones struggling with fear or uncertainty.
But that’s not true.
There’s an entire community of architects—right here at EntreArchitect—who are navigating the same terrain. Who are asking the same questions. Who are walking through fear and into growth together.
That’s why we created the EntreArchitect Network. It’s a place to learn, to share, and to grow in community. We have live coaching, mastermind groups, business training, and most importantly, architects who will walk with you every step of the way.
So don’t settle for survival. Don’t let fear shrink your vision. You were given that vision for a reason.
You’re not delusional. You’re not foolish. You’re not asking for too much.
You’re an entrepreneur architect. You’re a builder. You’re a leader.
And the future of architecture needs you to step into everything you were made to be.
Let Fear Walk With You
So here’s my invitation.
Let fear walk with you.
Let growth stretch you.
Let vision lead you.
Because the future of your firm—and our profession—isn’t found in what you already know. It’s found in what you’re brave enough to become.
If this message resonated with you, I hope you’ll listen to the full episode at entrearchitect.com/603.
And if you’re ready to surround yourself with a community that will support you, challenge you, and walk beside you—come join us inside the EntreArchitect Network. You can start free for 30 days at entrearchitect.com/30days.
Love. Learn. Share.
And I’ll see you in the next Solo Session.
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