Today, I have the honor to speak with Paul Petrunia, founder of Archinect. Launched in 1997, Archinect.com is the most established online architecture communication and content source for the architecture and design community. Tens of thousands of architects, students, and fans browse the site daily for the latest jobs, news headlines, competition, event listings, featured editorials, and active discussions. If you're listening to this podcast, my guess is that you're very familiar with Archinect. We go behind the scenes of Archinect and discover how Paul launched and built Architect over the years to what it is today.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

Business of Architecture Podcast

365: Connecting the Architecture Community with Paul Petrunia

This is a Business of Architecture Bonus Episode. Hello, and welcome back architect Nation. I’m Enoch Sears and this is the show where you'll discover tips, strategies and secrets for building an architecture practice that lets you do your best work, more often. Architects and related professionals design our world ... They make it safe, beautiful and sustainable. Yet for many, it feels like an uphill battle, and few get the recognition or credit they deserve for their creative work. Many firm owners become underpaid, glorified administrators, eeking out a living working on projects below their capabilities. What we’ve found is that architectural ability is just half of the equation, the other half is everything else involved in running a successful practice. This is because schools don't teach architects how to run a practice. As a result, society loses out on the creative genius of these professionals who are busy managing cash flow and putting out fires instead of doing their best work. On this episode, you’ll discover the case studies of 5 practice owners who have structured their practices for creative freedom, fulfillment, and financial reward with the SMART Practice Method. Business of Architecture has developed and refined the SMART Practice Method over the past decade working with 100+ architecture and design practices. Recently, we celebrated the graduation of 32 firm owners in our SMART Practice program. On this episode, you’ll hear 5 of their stories. And the exciting part is that I want you, podcast faithful listener, to listen to each of these stories, and then cast your vote for which of these 5 practice owners should win the 2021 Business of Architecture Transformation Award. Listen carefully, and take note on which stories resonate with you, which stories move you. You need to cast your vote by this Thursday, April 29, 2021. Vote by going to businessofarchitecture.com/transformation

Bonus: 5 Firm Owner Case Studies

Today we speak with architectural lighting designer and founder of Nulty, Paul Nulty. Nulty was originally in London and is an award-winning lighting design consultancy renowned for delivering immersive lighting projects for huge global brands such as Nike, Samsung, Harrods, Bloomingdale's, and Burberry with an international footprint spanning Europe, the U.S., the Middle East, and North Africa. Nulty has implemented and sustained a client expansion plan to bolster its global presence and cultivate its client relationships throughout the world. Paul discusses how, when he first set up the practice, he focused on sales and marketing, and implementing systems and how that has freed him up to do the work that he loves and how he has created a business that is both sustainable, profitable, and impactful.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

364: Shining a Light on Business Systems with Paul Nulty

Today we have not one, not two but three directors of Billings Jackson Design, an industrial design firm working at the interface of construction and product manufacturing. Duncan Jackson is an engineer and a furniture designer by training. He founded Billings Jackson Design in London in 1992 with Eoin Billings to bring industrial and product design expertise to the construction industry. Eoin Billings, co-founder of Billings Jackson Design, is an industrial designer responsible for the firm’s work in Europe and the Middle East. He specializes in the design of urban elements, building component systems, and lighting products, working to improve the quality of environments at the human scale through thoughtful, functionally effective interventions. Simon Kristak is the director of Billings Jackson’s New York office and is responsible for the day-to-day management of Billings Jackson’s project engagement across North America. His work mediates architecture and industrial design as a means to reconsider the built environment from the end user’s perspective. Listen as they share how the business has evolved, how it's growing, and how industrial design sits in and works alongside other disciplines within the construction industry. ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

363: Industrial Design for the Built Environment with Billings Jackson Design

Today, we're speaking with AUX Architecture founder Brian Wickersham. AUX Architecture is an award-winning architecture firm based in Los Angeles with an eclectic array of different types of project typologies, working in high-end residential, mixed-use, multi-family, and a number of cultural projects as well. Brian and I discuss how AUX was born out of adversity in the middle of a recession and how he has led the practice forward, taken on all of those challenges, and built a thriving practice in one of the US' biggest metropolitan areas.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

362: Reconciling Business and Design with Brian Wickersham

Today, we're speaking with one of the co-founders of Charlap Hyman & Herrero, Andre Herrero. Andre received his architectural training at the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating with a degree in Fine Arts and a degree in Architecture in 2012. He then went to the UK, working for David Chipperfield Architects in London. He then worked for SANAA in Tokyo and SO-IL in New York before co-founding his practice with Adam Charlap Hyman in 2015. As a principal of Charlap Hyman & Herrero, Andre leads a multi-disciplinary practice based both in Los Angeles and New York. They work in various typologies - including buildings, products, set designs, stores, and interiors with the aim to create spaces that become worlds in and of themselves. In 2018, Andre was ranked among Forbes Magazine's 30 under 30 in their Art and Style category, and in 2020, their firm won the AIA LA Emerging Practice Award. In this conversation, Andre and I discuss how they have grown their practice, how they have gone to new sectors and opened new product lines, and how they are running a bicoastal firm.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

361: Building a Bicoastal Business with Andre Herrero

Our guest this week is business coach and entrepreneur, Ray Brown. For about 5 years, Ray has worked at CEO-level across six companies, including overseeing the sale of Scotland's largest watercolor business Premier Water to global food giant Danone in 2005. In late 2005, after moving to Australia with his family, he was selected to join the international business coaching organization, Shirlaws Group. As a business coach of a number of different architectural practices based in Melbourne, Ray recognized there's a significant gap in the education provided to architects around running a business. And obviously, as we know, there's a lot of limited literature and resources available to support them in this role. So Ray co-founded Archibiz, which is designed to help ambitious architects build profitable and sustainable businesses whilst doing great design. And Ray's passion is helping business owners to realize their personal potential and that of their organization.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

360: Getting Out of Your Own Way with Ray Brown

This week I’m speaking with Christian Giordano, president and majority shareholder of Mancini Duffy, a technology first design firm based in New York City and New Jersey. Christian is an innovator, an entrepreneur, a visionary, and a disruptor; he’s the inventor of The Toolbelt LLC, a software suite that allows users to explore and manipulate 3D models collaboratively to explore and make decisions together. He also the host of the Anti-Architect Podcast. He has been highlighted as one of Building Design + Construction’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2013. With his leadership of Mancini Duffy, Christian saw a unique opportunity to recalibrate Mancini’s approach — emphasizing technology to transform the way designers across disciplines work. He launched a research & development incubator – dubbed the Design Lab – which brings together designers, technologists, and clients to leverage technologies like Virtual Reality, 3D Printing, Drones, Generative Design, and Artificial Intelligence to break barriers limiting design capabilities. What began as an internal incubator, has quickly grown to disrupt the way the design process is facilitated. In this episode, you will discover - How Intrapreneurship is cultivated within the firm - How Christian became president and majority shareholder of a firm that has 100 years of history - The importance of transparency in developing a powerful business culture   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

359: Transparency and Leadership with Christian Giordano

We continue honoring the women in architecture in today’s interview with architect Julia Nagele. Nagele is making her mark on the Seattle skyline, currently leading the design of her second high-rise tower in the city while working at Hewitt, at which she is a Principal and the Director of Design. In today’s interview, you’ll discover the skills Julia feels are essential for firm leaders, as well as her approach to winning the right commissions.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

358: Leadership Lessons with Julia Nagele

Today kicks off Women’s History Month here in the United States. Today, I'm joined by three impactful and accomplished women who are making history in their own right here with us today. Carrie Byles, Xuan Fu, and Laura Ettelman compose the executive committee of Skidmore, Ownings and Merrill, one of the world’s most highly respected and successful architecture firms, otherwise known as SOM. SOM has completed some of the world’s most legendary buildings, in addition to a plethora of work that spans everything from airports to university campuses. Notable buildings include the Willis Tower of Chicago (I prefer to use its former name “Sears Tower” for personal reasons) and the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building. Now before we jump into our interview today, here is a bit of background on today’s guests: In addition to serving on the Executive Committee, Laura Ettelman is the managing partner in SOM’s New York Office and oversees the design and planning of a diverse range of projects across the globe. Her work ranges from large-scale master plans to interior design. Among the projects in her portfolio are some of the world’s largest aviation and transportation hubs, new hospitals and research centers for healthcare and science, and campus master planning and design for both higher education and the civic and government sectors. Partner Carrie Byles is based in SOM’s San Francisco office. She has a strong background in information technology and how it shapes the way we live in and design our buildings. Xuan Fu is a managing partner with SOM's Chicago office. In 1994, Fu started her SOM career as a technical coordinator before assuming the position of a project manager in 2004. As an expert in the Asian market, she has worked on a range of international projects including master plans, commercial buildings, mixed-use developments, retail, hospitality, and convention and exhibition center projects.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

357: Leadership in Trying Times with SOM

Today I speak with Bryon McCartney, a branding and web design expert who helps AEC firms use branding & marketing to increase their visibility & influence so they can attract & win better clients and projects. In today’s episode, you’ll discover the difference between “brand” and “branding” as well as Bryon’s opinion on what you should be thinking about when you market your firm.   Resources: ARCHMARK website: https://www.archmark.co/ Connect with Bryon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brilliantbryon/ Sign up for ARCHMARK's Five Important Takeaways From Studying 550+ Architecture Firm Websites Webinar happening on February 24th, 2021 at 2PM EST Register here: https://www.archmark.co/5-things-webinar-signup   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

356: Designing Your Brand with Bryon McCartney

Today I speak with Alex Gore and Lance Cayko of the Colorado architecture firm F9 Productions. These guys also run a great podcast related to everything about running a firm, search for “Inside the Firm” in your favorite podcasting app. In this episode, you’ll discover how Al and Lance have added construction services to their business model, by offering to build their clients’ projects. As a result, they’ve made more money and gotten more financial consistency. If you want more profit, consistency, and control over your built projects, Lance and Alex have created a step by step roadmap for firm owners to do just that - they just launched an online course walking you through everything you need to know to add construction services to your offerings. Head over to BusinessofArchitecture.com/builder and use the coupon code “BOA” for 15% off their newly released Architect to Builder course that shows you everything you need to know to go from architect to builder, from pencil to profit.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

355: Architect to Builder (Offering Construction Services) with Alex Gore and Lance Cayko

Our guest today is Lee Skolnick FAIA, who runs an award-winning architecture practice based in New York City. The firm, Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership is about 30 people strong, and has an accomplished portfolio of museum, cultural and luxury residential projects. In today’s episode, we discuss how Skolnick has grown the practice to win significant commissions around the world.   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

354: Succeeding at Design with Lee Skolnick

Today, I speak with architect Mark R. LePage, founder of EntreArchitect. Today we discuss entrepreneurship, especially as it relates to the world of architecture. We also discuss innovation in business including one trend today that can set you up for success tomorrow. Check out Mark's work at EntreArchitect - https://entrearchitect.com/ Gābl Media - https://gablmedia.com/   ► 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/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast ******* Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Download the FREE Architecture Firm Marketing Process Flowchart video here: http://freearchitectgift.com Come to my next live, in-person event: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/live Carpe Diem!

353: Entrepreneurship in Architecture with Mark R. LePage

Discover strategies, tips and secrets for running a fun, flexible and profitable architecture practice. The focus here is simple: discussion of ways for architects to create a dream architecture practice: design what you want, when you want, and get paid well for it.