Anyone who has started their own architecture firm from scratch knows this dilemma well. We are full of enthusiasm, full of ideas, fully prepared. We quit our job (or working throughout the night on the side). We planned our launch and created a new website to share our ideas with the world… but we have no completed projects to show. We can’t complete any projects without a firm and its tough to start a firm without any projects. How do we start a new firm without a project portfolio full of … [Read more...]
How to Earn (or Win) an Extra $10,000 in 2016
Competitions are a integral part of the architecture experience. Since architecture school and throughout our careers, design competitions have provided a vehicle for architects to promote our talents and showcase our skills. Several architects have built their firms around the results of competitions, allowing them to leapfrog years of marketing strategies, accelerating their brands and business development. It’s a business plan strategy that has succeeded for many. Business plans are … [Read more...]
6 Steps To The One Thing That Matters Most
Finding clients you seek to serve, who have projects with appropriate budgets and realistic schedules is very important. Understanding business fundamentals and building systems that will lead to a healthy profitable firm is critical. Developing an effective marketing strategy that provides appropriate leads and a sales system that converts those leads to clients, may make the difference between a thriving business and a endless loop of failure. As small firm architects, we have so many … [Read more...]
Seize The Moments
This is a guest post written by Jeremy Fretts. Jeremy is a registered architect and holds a M.A. in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University. He is a senior project architect in the Virginia office of Niles Bolton Associates, designing multifamily and mixed-use projects, and developing a team of recent graduates. Connect with Jeremy on Linkedin or at his blog Humane Design. Develop Your Staff... Everyday Running a small firm requires you to play many different … [Read more...]
How To Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking
This week I will be traveling to Houston for the Texas Society of Architects's 75th annual convention and design expo. I will be presenting on Friday morning and speaking on how to succeed in architecture. Will I see you there? Persuing my mission to spread the message of Entrepreneur Architect and for our community of small firm architects becoming an influential force in the profession, I have been speaking at events throughout the nation. It has not been easy. I am inherently an … [Read more...]
Three Lessons from the Streets
This week Annmarie and I headed out of state to explore a few "opportunities" for our future, so I am handing over guest posting duties to my friend Jeff Echols. If you are interested in writing for Entrepreneur Architect, click here for information on how to submit your work for consideration. Until next week, please enjoy Jeff's story of life on the streets as an intern architect. Full of Hope and Confidence In December of 1991, I completed my finals and headed home to Chicago. I had … [Read more...]
How I Started My Own Architecture Firm (Part 2)
Last week I shared my journey from discovering my passion for entrepreneurism through my development as an intern. If you missed it, I recommend you read Part 1 before proceeding with Part 2 below. Seventeen feet long and 8 feet wide, we claimed a corner of our new basement and equipped it with a used Dell tower, a huge VGA monitor, a printer, an internet connection and a new telephone line. An old student version of AutoCAD and the MS Office basics would get us started. The … [Read more...]
The Inevitable Priority Shift
Every residential architecture project starts months, maybe even years before a client ever approaches an architect. Our potential clients have saved their money and prepared a budget. They have considered how long a project takes and has a clear expectation for completion (even if it is most likely unrealistic). They've been dreaming of their finished project for months, with a specific scope of work and hopes for unique custom features. To reach this point, our clients have been through … [Read more...]
Eight Independent Architects Taking the Lead
These past weeks, before and following the AIA Convention in Denver, I have heard from many architects seeking solutions to the crisis in which we architects find ourselves. Many small firm architects and sole proprietors have declared Repositioning a failure before it has even begun. This August will mark my twentieth year in this profession. In all honesty, I have been listening to the same complaints and criticism since before my first position as an intern. I am tired of the bemoaning and … [Read more...]
The Future and Foresight of the American Institute of Architects
I have returned from AIA Convention 2013 with enthusiasm and encouragement. Repositioning has begun and the leadership has clearly been listening to the members of the profession. Unfortunately, very little referencing the business of architecture was presented on stage by AIA leadership. When I met AIA CEO Robert Ivy later that same day and asked specifically why Repositioning neglected my favorite topic, he quickly referred me to the AIA Foresight Report. Upon reading the report, I was … [Read more...]
You Should Q.U.I.T.
I decided to become an architect when I was 10 years old. I made the decision and never looked back. Another career was never even considered. Every step to become a licensed architect was calculated and scheduled for the result that has become my reality. I have always looked at this as a gift. I never needed to worry about my future. Not once did I doubt what I might do with my life. High school courses were selected specific to my inevitable destination. The shortlist for colleges was … [Read more...]
Entrepreneur Architect Academy 011 | Professional Liability Insurance: The Risk and Reward
Following these comments is a guest post; originally published in the AIA Trust educational booklet, Making The Transition To Running Your Own Firm. I am publishing it here at Entrepreneur Architect with permission, courtesy of Ann P. Casso, Executive Director of AIA Trust. I am grateful for the Trust’s support of our mission and their contribution to the profession as a whole. Architects are inherently burdened with risk and liability for the services we provide. As licensed professionals we … [Read more...]