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Stacey Clear AIA
Clear Architecture
Saint Louis MO
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Answer to the question: it depends.
I started my own firm in 2007 after leaving a firm that I had been with for 20 years. My previous firm and I agreed that I would take 3 particular clients that I had been responsible for bringing to the firm. One year later, all of those clients had shut down, most of my work dried up and I moved out of a small office I was renting to work from home. I've been scratching for smaller jobs (ANYTHING!), expanding my network of contacts, taking time to build my skills sets and learning a LOT about myself and the business side of architecture since then. I work almost all the time, haven't taken a vacation in a couple years and my house has accumulated quite a bit of "deferred maintenance". Though my wife and 9 year old son love having me around, I am not able to "be" at home as much when I am at home. My wife and I are tiring of the stressfulness of financial challenges such as self-insurance and sporadic (or no) cash flow.
My business is growing though very slowly. I love what I do and find it very, very satisfying to do the work and work directly for my clients - even on very simple projects. I have met some delightful folks and developed work/friendships that have been a blessing and lead to more referrals. I have worked for some jerks too, of course. It is a challenge to not "burn bridges" in those cases. Some jerks have turned out to have friends that respect my work, pay on time and refer me to other non-jerks.
I have also kept in touch with a few other "graduates" of my previous firm who also started their own businesses. One in particular has been very successful: in addition to being a talented designer and having won some local awards, he now has employed 4 architects to help get his work done. I am fascinated to see how my former colleagues have approached their respective practices and the things they have done to be successful.
Here's my latest understanding of the least you must have -
or be willing to develop in yourself -
to make a decent living and have a chance at some greater success. If you want to stay with your spouse/partner, it is very important for them to understand what you are planning to get yourself into.
Ambition: not just for doing excellent work, but for succeeding in business! This means you must enjoy and spend almost as much time GETTING THE WORK as doing the work (RFP's, networking, cold calls, post cards, emails, facebook, twitter, entertaining - whatever it takes). If you can't do this, I wouldn't recommend starting without a partner who can. Also includes a willingness to creatively apply your talents and find ways to sell your expertise in non-traditional ways.
Lots of energy and perseverance: the more work you can do, the more people you can meet, the greater your chances of succeeding. Includes pushing through those times when no one is calling and the bills are mounting up - and doing this for as many years as it takes.
Be a Leader: make yourself the kind of person people want to be around, develop communication skills, be a team player (lead, but play well with others), speak carefully, respect your clients, contractors and building officials, be trustworthy (do what you say), be fair, do the right thing.
Design talent: constantly check your work against others you respect and challenge yourself to study the work that non-architects gravitate towards. Hire or contract talent if necessary. You are in business: people should want to buy what you are selling.
Technical competence: seems like a no-brainer, but must include a desire to constantly learn and acquire knowledge and the ability to communicate it to others.
As architects, we work in an extremely competitive business and this in a depressed/recessed economy. There are more and more unemployed and underemployed architects scrambling for the same opportunities. It will be a long time before this changes - if at all. I'd say that if you don't believe that you have or are able to acquire at least what I've listed above, then keep your day job - or get one. Life is too short. If are ready to do all of the above, go for it! -or-
if you're already doing it, hang in there!
Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2011 20:51
From: A. Lira Luis
Subject: Do you think it's wise to start an architecture firm in this economic climate?
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Practice Management Member Conversations .
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Architecture Exchange East kicked off the Pre-conference Workshops today and I participated in the seminar W04 So You Think You Want to Start a Firm presented by Laura Davis, AIA, IFDA and Larry Paschall, AIA.
They opened up discussions and brought to light a simple question that is relevant at this moment in time in our profession. They started their own firm at the height of the recession. Some of you may wonder if it's really a great idea to do so.
I pose the question back to some of you who are thinking about striking out on your own.
Do you think it's wise to start an architecture firm in this economic climate?
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A. Lira Luis, AIA (2011 AIA Knowledge Scholar to Practice Management)
Principal Architect
Atelier Lira Luis, LLC
Chicago IL
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