There has never been a better time for architects to practice independently. Computers, the Internet, and cell phones all foster an easier way of practicing remotely. Yet to many architects, the thought of working alone, doing most (if not all) of the tasks on a project seems daunting, unprofitable, menial. However, the Sole Practice business model can be attainable, profitable, and most fulfilling. As a licensed architect with 25 years of experience, this is the model I … [Read more...]
The Simple Profitable Power of 1%
There’s a very simple, easy method to demonstrate to your staff the critically important issue of how to constantly improve effectiveness and efficiency. We have all heard the phrase, “work smarter, not harder” and yet I would venture to guess that few of us really understand how to apply that lesson on a daily basis. June Jewell, a professional colleague of mine, has written an excellent book, Find the Lost Dollars: 6 Steps to Increasing Profits in Architecture, Engineering and … [Read more...]
They Try to Publish…
And Thus They Perish
Starting out in architecture on your own, not as an intern, or a middle career employee, those of us who want personal expression in design see two venues: competitions that are open to anyone or publication of what you have done. You know you have the chops. You are convinced that what you do has a message, worth, meaning: You just need the "Street Cred". Screaming your genius in a closed room on your laptop feels like playing Solitaire - you win, but who knows. No one hears you. No one sees … [Read more...]
Pricing Creativity with Author
Blair Enns (Transcript)
This is the transcript from EntreArchitect Podcast Episode 219, Pricing Creativity with Author Blair Enns. Listen to this podcast episode or download the audio file here. ***Start Transcript*** Promo: 00:00 Do you know how to calculate the exact amount you need to charge your clients in order to earn 20 percent profit on that project? It's simple to do., if you know how. Learn how by downloading our free course Profit for Small Firm Architects today at … [Read more...]
Almost 40 Tips for Starting an Architecture Firm
This article was written by architect Timothy Ung of JourneyofanArchitect.com. It is being republished here at EntreArchitect.com with permission from the author. Enjoy! Editor's Note: Timothy has an updated version of this article here. Almost 40 tips for Starting an Architecture Firm After obtaining my license as an Architect in New York, I brainstormed several long term goals and decided to start a personal blog, develop design projects, and learn everything that I could about … [Read more...]
The 14 Books Every Future Architect Should Read
Are you looking to get a degree in architecture? Or have you recently graduated and feeling the disassociation from studio life (all about you and your ideas) and starting at the bottom of work life? Once in a while I get questions from people like you asking for advice and recommended reading. After responding to a hopeful architect on Dwell.com I decided to flesh out my answer and include more books. Here is a list for you, broken down into categories. Naturally there is some overlap and … [Read more...]
My 125 Business Books for Entrepreneur Architects
Everything I have learned about succeeding in business as a small firm architect has come to me in two ways; either through trial and error (with lots and lots of error) or through the many dozens of business and "self-help" books that I've read over my many years as an architect. Like you, I was not taught the rules of small business, branding, sales, marketing or leadership. I needed to educate myself. This week I'm sharing my bookshelf with you; one hundred twenty five business books for … [Read more...]
4 Simple Marketing Strategies of SALA Architects
Marketing Strategies for Residential Architects This past week, I had the great opportunity to join the co-founder of SALA Architects, Dale Mulfinger, FAIA over at EntreArchitect Podcast. It was a fantastic discussion about how SALA was founded and the journey to where Dale finds himself today as a principal at the firm, a teacher and an author of several books published by Taunton Press. If you haven’t yet listened to the episode, you can subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or listen directly … [Read more...]
The Journey to Success Begins Within You
This is a guest post written by my friend Taylor Schaub, a 4th-year undergraduate architecture student at the Illinois Institute of Technology. She's pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture degree with a minor in Business. Although she does not have a website, she can be found on LinkedIn, Instagram, and as a previous guest on Life of An Architect Blog. Please leave a comment at the end of the article and share your thoughts with the author and other readers. nosce te ipsum: know … [Read more...]
The 10 Business Books Every Entrepreneur Architect Should Have In Their Library
Every August, the kids and I pack up the Suburban and head north to a row of small houses perched along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Arcadia Park is located at Fishers Landing, New York and one of those tiny former fishing cottages is owned by my mom and dad, aka Mata and Pata. We look forward to the trip all year long. The weather is cool, the river is clean and the neighbors are like family. I leave Annmarie behind so she might enjoy a week of solitude, kidless, with her cats and … [Read more...]
The Passion Profit Cycle of Success [Archive]
This Entrepreneur Architect community has grown tremendously these past 12 months. If you are new to the community, "Welcome!" With that thought in mind, I will periodically share some of my favorite posts from the Entrepreneur Architect archive. This post, from October 2012 (two months before the 12/12/12 relaunch), is one of my favorites. I hope you like it. Please let me know what you think in the comments below. Prior to starting our own firms, we business-owner architects experienced an … [Read more...]