Mark R. LePage

The second step will build upon the first… Just Start!

This article was originally published here at EntreArchitect back in May of 2013. It’s one of my favorites. -Mark

What’s holding you back from the success of your dreams?

Last summer my son Henry built a rowboat; an eleven foot poorboy skiff built from mahogany lumber and plywood. I shared Henry’s story here on the blog and sent a copy to the local newspaper in Alexandria Bay, New York near where Henry’s boat was christened and launched. Henry was so excited when he saw his name and photograph in print. His dream had come true. He finally had his own boat and it was documented for all to see in the newspaper. A few months later, for Henry’s 8th birthday, his older brother James surprised him by submitting his story to WoodenBoat magazine. They published Henry’s story and a photo of his boat in their Launchings section, which features reader’s Continue reading

EntreArchitect Community Survey

Building a Better Community for Us Small Firm Architects

I’m enjoying my August “shut down”, spending time with my wife Annmarie and our kids. I hope you are taking time out to build a better YOU too. During my time away from the blog and podcast, my team and I at EntreArchitect are starting to plan for 2017 with updates, improvements, new products and services for the EntreArchitect Community. Before we get started in September, I thought it would be fun and helpful to ask YOU what you wanted to learn about. You may have received my request to complete the EntreArchitect Community Survey via email or social media. If you have already responded and completed the survey, THANK YOU! If not, please take just 5 minutes to tell me, “What is the single biggest challenge you are facing as an architect right now?”, a) it would mean the world to me, Continue reading

How To Get Published as a Small Firm Architect

Every architect has a dream of having their work published in books and magazines. For some it’s a right of passage – a testament to hard work and years of focus. For others, its a marketing strategy. Publication is a form of social proof indicating that our designs are worthy of our prospective clients’ attention. The process of having our work published is one of those secrets architects learn with maturity. The puzzle is solved piece by piece until the full picture is visible. There’s no simple “how-to” manual. Publishers don’t openly share the process. At Fivecat Studio, we’ve had several projects published. Some in regional lifestyle magazines and others in national journals. The process is not difficult. Once we understood what matters most and with whom we needed to speak, opportunities emerged. The following are the 10 rules I’ve learned about how to get published as an architect. Continue reading

6 Reasons Why Architects Are Not Earning the 20% Profit They Need

This is a follow up guest post written by Steve L. Wintner, AIA, Emeritus, an architecture management consultant and co-author of the book, Financial Management for Design Professionals: The Path to Profitability. To learn more about Steve, his firm Management Consulting Services or to dive deeper into the subject that Steve is sharing with us here at EntreArchitect™, visit his website at ManagementConsultingServices.com.

You Show Me Yours & I’ll Show You Mine

How to Improve Your Annual Profit as an Architect

I appreciate your response to my recent article here at EntreArchitect and the comments indicating an interest in learning more about how to improve your annual profit as an architect. Generally speaking, upon completion of my formal education and becoming an architect, I was unaware of what was involved in the actual operational and administrative aspects of running an architectural firm. Therefore, this very important area of the business Continue reading

How To Enjoy an Annual Summer “Shut Down” as a Small Firm Architect

The European Holiday Shut Down

Every summer, much of the European continent takes holiday at the same time. During the month of August, the city streets empty and the summer resorts fill up. Many architects have experienced the result of this shut down when ordering products or materials from European suppliers. If you order tile from France in July, don’t expect delivery until September or October. They’ll be, unapologetically, on a beach somewhere during the month of August. For years, this inconvenience was very frustrating for me. My work needed to continue and I needed to get things done. Waiting an extra 30 days was unacceptable. Then, one summer, sitting in my quiet studio waiting for the phone to ring, it dawned on me. Rather than fight our way through the hot, steamy summer slow down every year, I thought, “Why not join them and schedule our own summer shut Continue reading

Why Architects Are NOT Properly Prepared to Own and Operate an Architecture Firm

This is an op-ed guest post written by Steve L. Wintner, AIA, Emeritus, an architecture management consultant and co-author of the book, Financial Management for Design Professionals: The Path to Profitability. To learn more about Steve and his firm Management Consulting Services, visit his website at ManagementConsultingServices.com.

The primary intention of this article is to provoke a response rebuking my belief about architectural education curriculum, in general, and hopefully educating me on the actual current status of such at the Colleges of Architecture, in the U.S. “We don’t know what we don’t know; the knowing of which would alter our lives forever.” The first time I heard this quotation was in 1984 at a self-help conference titled “The EST Training”. This quote was not attributed to anyone specifically, but it altered my consciousness, and I have never forgotten this phrase. I do believe that it applies to every living Continue reading

A Guide to Successful Recruitment at Your Architecture Firm (Part Two)

(This is Part 2 of a guest post by Bob Morgan, an architect based in South-East Asia. Part 1 will be found here.)

Good Morning Jobseekers!

PART 2: Recruitment Specifics

Having made the decision to ‘Recruit’, we need to analyze the requirements, and formulate a ‘Brief.’ Firstly, this will provide a level of ‘Analysis’ – Indeed, it might also identify other areas of the Studio, where adjustments or improvements can be made; or will have to be made – And, just like any Project Brief it should be ‘Developed and Adapted’ as circumstances change, and further opportunities present themselves.

Identify Need

Will the New Recruit be a Permanent Member of the Studio Team? Or, would a more flexible ‘Part-Time’ approach be more applicable? Much here will be dependent upon the Job itself – For instance, will there be direct role with Clients? Here, an Experienced and Senior Member of Continue reading