Business Of Architecture Podcast

Why is it so common to give away free work in the architecture industry? Doctors don't work for free. Attorneys don’t work for free. Yet it has become so common in the architecture industry to give away work for free, that many clients now expect it. Today I speak with Bryon McCartney of Archmark. As a graphic designer by training, Bryon runs a branding and communications agency for architectural practices. In this episode you’ll discover Archmark's 3 “Rs” of getting better Recognition, increasing your practice’s Reputation, and building significant Relationships. We also discuss the root causes of why we feel pressured to give away free work, and strategies to overcome this trend. To see more of what Archmark can do for you, visit https://www.archmark.co/. ► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitecture.com ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call ► Subscribe to my YouTube

Have you ever been in a place you felt you weren't supposed to be within your career or business? Or like you're not doing what you feel like you're supposed to be doing? I certainly have. It's easy to get caught in this, to keep doing what you're doing, ignoring that voice inside, fearing the risk. Yet listening to our fear keeps us small, it keeps the world from getting the gift we could be giving. Architect Ibrahim Greenidge came to this place in his career, where he decided he needed to make a shift. In today's episode, you'll discover how Greenidge started his practice and grew it to a team of five. Greenidge shares his number one challenge running an architectural practice today and the three top principles that have been his guiding stars for success. Greenidge is the co-founder of BOLT Architecture, a Brooklyn-based architectural practice. In 2017, he was appointed to serve as President of the New York Coalition of Black Architects. He won the 2015 Jumaane Stewart Recognition Award, his designs have b

With the right strategy and context, your approach to social media presence can do much more than show off your design. Enoch Sears and Bryan Toepfer discuss timeless principles for using social media in a business context for your architectural firm. Bryan is the Principal Architect for TOEPFER Architecture, an Architecture firm specializing in Residential Architecture and Virtual Reality. He has authored two books, “Contractors CANNOT Build Your House,” and “Six Months Now, ARCHITECT for Life.” He is an Assistant Professor at Alfred State College and has served as the Director of Education for the AIA Rochester Board of Directors. His passion is to help anyone understand the world of Architecture. He can be reached at btoepfer@toepferarchitecture. Social Media for Architects by Enoch Sears is available at https://bit.ly/3ypnFBl. ► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitecture.com ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a cal

Classical design leader James Smiros joins us in discussing how his firm survived repeated crises, how diversifying can work in your favor, and the importance of keeping strong relationships with industry partners. He offers great business tips on growth, resilience, and remaining fluid, all while staying true to your design. Smiros graduated from the School of Architecture and Design at New York Tech. He has now served as a member of the FRIENDS Executive Committee for 10 years. He began Smiros & Smiros almost 30 years ago, with a focus on timeless, luxury, residential design concepts, serving clients worldwide. They were recently awarded the Addison Mizner for Master Planning Mixed Program and have been published in many renowned venues such as Architectural Digest, Robb Report, Luxury Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Their classical site is an true representation of their classical design. Check it out at www.smiros.com.   ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMet

Philip Kafka, President of Prince Concepts in Detroit, is known for the award-winning ground-up development project True North. Kafka also serves on the board of MoCAD in Detroit, and has frequently been a guest critic and lecturer in university architecture departments worldwide. Architect and designer Ishtiaq Rafiuddin is Principal of design studio UNDECORATED. He also co-founded New York City's co-working space Based In, and Istanbul's visualization studio Mimaj. In addition to co-creating design-led developments like Caterpillar, these brilliant minds have excelled at leveraging constraints that would typically be seen as limitations, to improve and restore Detroit.   ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactfu

The most common aspect of owning an Architecture Firm is wondering where the next project will come from. This pressure can kill the joy of running your practice. One of the most powerful ways to avoid this is to picking the right niche. In a recent episode on how to earn 6 figures or more as an architect - choosing the right niche was one of the 7 tips I gave. From the vault today, we have John Sofio, founder of Built Inc., who started out in residential design build almost 30 years ago. Today, his firm has niched into designing and building some of the most iconic nightclubs around the United States.   ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on: Facebook: https://www

"Wow, that's a lot of money … I had no idea it was going to be that much!" If you've heard this before, you've probably presented a proposal to a client. Clients base their idea of 'too much' off false assumptions. Fortunately, there's an effective way to win without lowering prices. ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture/ ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessofarchitecture Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enoch.sears/ Website: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusinessofArch Podcast: http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/podcast iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/business-architecture-podcast/id5889879

What does it take to earn 6 figures as an architect? In this episode of the Business of Architecture podcast, you'll not only discover that it's possible to earn 6 figures as an architect, but we will give you 7 ways to do so.   ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.co... ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofA... ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/busin... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enoch.sears/ Website: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusinessofArch Podcast: http://www.businessofarchitecture.com... iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/b... Android Podcast Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Businesso... ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video

Architect Jared Della Valle is the CEO Alloy Development. In this episode you'll discover how Jared has built a design-focused development company. Visit http://smartpracticemethod.com for a free architecture firm owner Masterclass on how to structure your architecture practice for freedom, fulfillment and financial reward.

Today's interview is with Brett Andersen, partner at the architectural lighting design firm Focus Lighting. Based in New York City, Focus Lighting has done many notable projects. Here's today's episode with Brett Andersen. ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessofarchitecture Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enoch.sears/ Website: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusinessofArch Podcast: http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/podcast/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/business-architecture-podcast/id588987926 Android Podcast Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Business

Hello, and welcome to the Business of Architecture, with your host, Rion Willard. Today's interview is with Michael Poris AIA, Principal of McIntosh Poris Associates, an architecture firm with offices in Birmingham and Detroit, Michigan. Poris and his firm are passionate about the revitalization of his hometown of Detroit. His leadership has evolved the firm into a full-service practice offering a range of disciplines in architecture, interior design, and urban planning within diverse project types.   ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessofarchitecture Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enoch.sears/ Website: ht

Hello, and welcome to the Business of Architecture. I'm your host, Rion Willard. And this week, I’m speaking with Joseph Spierer, owner of California-based architecture firm, Joseph Spierer Architects, Inc. Growing up in Los Angeles County, Joseph attended and received his Architecture degree from The University of Arizona School of Architecture, and got his architecture license in the State of California.  After interning with, then working for, several leading Southern California Architects of note, Joseph opened his own Architecture practice in the South Bay, specializing in custom residential and small commercial projects.  In addition to practicing architecture, Joseph is a managing member of several real estate holding companies and is one of the owners and partners of JAM Properties, which identifies and assembles real estate investment and development opportunities throughout Southern California.   In this episode, Joseph gives a little glimpse of how the firm operates, how they win work, how they mit

Every year here at Business of Architecture we take on a select number of firms to work with to implement the Smart Practice Method. As part of this process, we run a yearly transformation contest to celebrate the growth and continual success of these firm owners. Today, you’ll hear five of their stories. Each of these firm owners has shown courage, passion and drive in their stand to be the best leaders they can be. After you listen to these stories, head over to BusinessofArchitecture.com/transformation to vote for your favorite! ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.co... ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofA... ******* For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/busin... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enoch.sears/ Webs

BOA Members were privileged to participate in an exclusive Live Event with Mancini Duffy, one of the most innovative Architecture and Design Firms of today. Joined by alumni BOA Podcast guests Christian Giordano (President) and Bolanle WIlliams-Olley (CFO), were Bill Mandara Jr. (CEO), Scott Harrell (Principal), and Jessica Mann-Amato (Principal).  Mancini Duffy shared their experience with how they got out of a culture slump, creating a business structure that lasts, mentoring, maintaining a legacy while implementing effective succession plans, how to move an office, acquisitions, and growing into new market sectors.  BOA Members were able to have their questions answered around firm composition and leadership structure, reserving shares and valuation.  Mancini Duffy who is well-known for their business acumen, leadership, and culture, shared their insights and suggestions, including details on their research & development arm to the firm, known as the "Design Lab," which is focused on technologies that

This week, I speak with Eugene Colberg, an architect with 25 years of experience producing award-winning architecture and interiors in the US and internationally. They are based in New York and Eugene has designed many environmentally-sensitive residential projects. He's directed projects at recognized New York institutions and he's held masterplan higher education at campuses nationwide. His retail projects have been incredibly successful and have dovetailed architecture design, brand identity, and of course, architectural expression. In this conversation, I speak with Eugene about the genesis of his business, how he markets and goes to and finds new clients, how he has been maintaining client relationships, and also how he has been navigating the challenges of a relatively young and growing architecture practice.  ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.co... ► Subscribe to my YouTube C

This week, I’m speaking with award-winning interior designer, luxury home furnishings designer, and lifestyle expert Robin Baron. Robin launched her full-service design firm in 1990 after starting out in fashion design. Her unique sensibilities attracted a clientele that quickly grew to include celebrities and heads of major corporations. In 2017, Robin expanded her business with her Signature Home Furnishings Collections, including hardware, case goods, rugs, upholstery, and lighting, becoming a sought-after designer of licensed home furnishings collections. Today, Robin Baron Design includes her full-service design firm, her Signature Collections, and a multi-channel e-commerce site that provides a unique opportunity for designers and consumers to shop curated products with direct access to Robin’s expert advice and design sensibility. In this episode, Robin takes us through her journey from being a fashion designer to an interior designer to a product designer, what "performance" means for a busin

This week, I’m speaking with Sam Cavitt and Ryan Brown, father and son duo of Paradise Theatre, a full-service firm specializing in providing comprehensive luxury private cinema design based out of LA and Hawaii. Sam also spearheads "Cinema Connoisseur," a digital publication and initiative aiming to build a community of enthusiasts, both professional and public, to embrace and enhance the world of private cinema and film. In this episode, we discuss how the business has evolved from custom integrator to theater designer, how they went about building a team and clientele in an industry that's just getting started, how they nurture their relationships with their clients and collaborators in order to deliver a compelling private cinema experience. ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.co... ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for updates: https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofA... ******* For

This week, I'm speaking with NELSON Worldwide Vice President and Industrial Practice Leader, Balmiki Bhattacharya. Balmiki heads NELSON’s Industrial practice from their office in Seattle where he's responsible for integrating design programs, maximizing operations and investments, and also helping create a strategic, sustainable plan for the firm’s future.  Balmiki has had a very distinguished career with over two decades of experience in different leadership positions working at several organizations including MG2, CallisonRTKL, The Taubman Company, and Starbucks before joining NELSON. In this episode, Balmiki provides insight on how a large practice like Nelson operates and the mechanisms that they have in place in terms of operations and business development. He also talks a bit about the many hats he wears as a practice leader and the skills essential in making that leap into a leadership position. ► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/ ► If you want to speak directly to our advis

This week, we have Bruce Haden, Co-Founder of Human Studio, a design and architecture firm based in Vancouver, Canada. In his work as an architect, Bruce saw a problem. He found that he often lacked hard metrics and data to inform or at least justify design decisions. As a result, he found that clients ultimately and frequently based their decisions on more hard and measurable data like construction costs. But how do we quantify or calculate the more intangible elements of design? More importantly, how do we justify these costs or expenditures to these clients who are, ultimately, footing the bill? As a result of his inquiry, Haden developed and spearheaded the design software application called FLUID Sociability that measures the sociability of buildings and spaces. Ultimately, this is a story that lies at the heart of what it means here at the Business of Architecture. Business of Architecture is simply this: When you have an important message and a mission, when you have value to give to the world, how do

This week, I am speaking to Founder and President of Brandon Architects, Chris Brandon. Chris founded Brandon Architects in 2009, specializing in high-end residential. He works on an incredible array of clientele, doing really extraordinary homes in California. In this conversation, we discuss the early days of Chris' practice, how he how he weathered the storm brought by recession in 2009 and grew his practice, the tale of bringing on those first employees, and how he was doing business development and client acquisition. Then we discuss some of the innovations Chris has in the delivery of his projects, how he curates the client experience and ensures that he's only involved where they need to be involved thus making their delivery process much more efficient and reducing the amount of scope creep. We also discuss some of the leadership evolution that Chris has been going through, some of the work that we've been doing together on the SMART Practice program and of course Chris' vision for 2022.   ► Access yo