EntreArchitect // Small Firm Entrepreneur Architects

Business training and resources for small firm entrepreneur architects.

David Hovey, FAIA, Entrepreneur Architect

From OptimaWeb.com: Faced with the natural constraints of client-based business, architects often dream of the freedom that could arise from developing their own building projects. A look at some AIA Chicago chapter members who have taken the leap to become architect/ developers can act as an inspiration and provide insights to success in this risky, […]

Success List

The following is a list of words and phrases that I have assembled over the past few years. I use it to remind myself what is most important in terms of success. They are in no particular order; simply a random, continuous brainstorm. What have I missed? Post your thoughts in the comments. Courage Execution […]

How do you measure your success?

There’s a saying in business, “What gets measured, gets managed.” Winning companies track several metrics to gauge their performance and measure business success. ROI (return on investment), EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), average sales, website traffic, employee churn and average inventory are all key business indicators. Large retailers track same store sales, […]

Our Architectural Services Proposal

Several years ago, I attended a local AIA seminar presented by a fellow architect and the Chapter Council. The topic was “alternative agreements”. What I learned during that interactive meeting was that for some projects, selecting one of the many legal documents available from our national professional organizations an appropriate way to protect both the […]

Do you use AIA Contract Documents? Let’s talk agreements…

Several years ago, we constructed a new Proposal document that doubles as our Owner / Architect Agreement. It’s 5 pages long and, together with a separate 2 page “Standard Terms and Conditions” document, it includes all the protections of the AIA document… but looks and reads much friendlier. Fivecat Studio specializes in large residential additions […]

How I Use Social Media

Although not technically “social media”, I have been blogging at http://www.livingwellinwestchester.com since 2006. I have had many clients remark that they read my blog and felt that they had grown to know me before we actually met. For me, that alone makes it worth the time required to post on a weekly basis. Recently, I […]