EntreArchitect

EntreArchitect provides information and resources for the business of architecture and inspires your success as a small firm entrepreneur architect.

5 Podcasts Every Entrepreneur Architect Should Be Following

Podcasts (an episodic digital series of audio or video files subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer or mobile device) are a great way to learn the lessons about business that many of us lacked during architecture school. Below are my 5 current favorites: EntreLeadership | Dave Ramsey w/ Host Chris LoCurto One of the most successful podcasts on the planet, EntreLeadership focuses on personal success, business and leadership. For about 45 … [Read more...]

Michael Gallin: Entrepreneur Architect

While at Carnegie Melon University’s school of architecture in the early 90’s, Michael Gallin developed a passion for finding innovative solutions combining design and technology. Although his primary interest has always been architecture, computer technology has been a close second. Gallin founded his architecture firm just north of New York City in 1999. He recently merged his practice with another firm, forming Gallin Beeler Design Studio. The current office, with a staff of nine, has a … [Read more...]

The Passion Profit Cycle of Success

Prior to starting our own firms, we business-owner architects experienced an "entrepreneurial seizure", as Michael Gerber so accurately described in his book, The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It. It's the precise moment when a passionate employee commits to starting her own firm. Frustrated by the process (or lack of process) established by her employer, she decides that she can do better. Do you remember that moment? The passion required to … [Read more...]

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, but potentially rewarding, area of business. Read more. … [Read more...]

The Entrepreneurial X-Factor

What is it that separates us entrepreneurs from other business people? From e-myth.com: "MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. SMALL WAGES, BITTER COLD, LONG MONTHS OF COMPLETE DARKNESS, CONSTANT DANGER, SAFE RETURN DOUBTFUL. HONOUR AND RECOGNITION IN CASE OF SUCCESS." According to legend, this is the ad placed in a London newspaper in August 1914 by Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. While it's not exactly the kind of ad we suggest you use to recruit employees (see our article … [Read more...]

Fear

Fear. I think there's lots of this stuff floating around lately. Personally, I feel that most of our current economic woes can be tied directly to "fear of the unknown" and "fear of the different". When the politicians in Washington want the economy to recover, they'll delay making changes that will forever alter society as we know it, until we're all comfortably back in business (but that is an entirely different post for an entirely different blog). Fear can be paralyzing and debilitating. … [Read more...]

How Many Business Plans Have YOU Started?

I started at least a dozen business plans for Fivecat Studio, before I finally finished one. The task is overwhelming. Executive Statement? Financial Reports? Fun stuff... The trick? Keep it fun, follow your passion and start with one simple page. Below are five questions. Answer each question with three sentences (no more - no less). When you're done answering these questions, you'll have a plan. What is the mission of your firms? What is your vision for the firm? What are the strategies … [Read more...]

Fivecat Studio: Interviewed on WVOX 1460AM

Last week, Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, invited me to join her at WVOX 1460AM in New Rochelle, NY. I enjoyed speaking with her about Fivecat Studio, the business of architecture and our annual campaign to support local animal shelters, Pillows of Puppies. [soundcloud url="http://soundcloud.com/fivecat/wvox020110"] … [Read more...]

Are You Remarkable?

Becky Shankle (@ecomod) is thinking out of the box... the IKEA box to be more specific. Becky is the founder and lead designer at eco-modernism. In addition to designing and installing custom kitchens and baths in the Raleigh, NC region, she has launched an innovative IKEA kitchen services. By promoting her firm as IKEA specialists, she differentiates eco-mod from the dozens of other kitchen designers in her region. She's a Purple Cow. She's remarkable. She has found a way to inspire people to … [Read more...]