“When you work for someone else they control your time and your future, the type of work you’ll do, and what you’ll be paid in exchange for the work. Your own business, by contrast, is something no one can ever take from you. It’s yours, you own it, and you chart the course.’’
Trading the safety net of a regular paycheck to start and manage your own Design Practice is no child’s play for the Young Architect. With uncertain work flows that come with the regular recession cycles every couple of years, the reality is that not everyone is meant to start their own firm. Yours might entail years of dedicated service to make Partner or Managing Director at your current firm of employment (after all there is indeed more than one way to kill a cat) the bottom line is to be happy and fulfilled with your career.
However, there is a certain, specific hunger that can only be satisfied when you step out and do your own thing. This is the “entrepreneurial hunger”. It then becomes necessary to go out on your own, despite how scary and difficult the overall concept is in reality.
Eric Reinholdt- the author- is the owner of 30X40 Design Workshop, an Architectural Practice in Maine. As a solo practitioner hungry to step out and start his own firm, he had so many unanswered questions on the real-world business situations but, often, solutions he found were irrelevant…obsolete.
Through Architect and Entrepreneur, Eric decided to share his first-hand knowledge on how to transition from being employed to starting your own solo Design Practice in the context of the 21st century. This book is, fundamentally, a field guide with practical tips to building, branding and marketing your Start-Up Design Business when you’re starting from the ground up either from Employment or as a Freelancer.
We recommend it strongly in hopes that the Young Architect will be less clueless in their approach to business after this read. Designers can indeed run successful businesses as well.
The five lessons shared below are but a scratch on the surface compared to the content in Eric Reinholdt’s book. They are just a sneak peek serving to really show you the amazing tips you gain to stand from acquiring the book for your work library.
1. There will never be a right time to step out and start your own firm
Several books and podcasts later, your age and inexperience will almost always try to hold you back. After all there's always more to be learnt especially at the comfort of employment. The unknown is understandably scary!
Eric recommends setting aside 3-6 months of living expenses for a little bit of confidence to step out on your own. It is just as well if your partner has a regular source of income as a ghost investor of sorts to support you during the first unstable months or years.
“Reading about it can be reassuring, but stepping out is required. One can’t possibly know all the questions one needs to ask when sitting in the relative comfort of a salaried job.”
2. Embrace the new and unfamiliar responsibilities on your plate
Architects are designers with several years of training both in and out of school but with the decades of learning involved, business skills are never as seriously imparted along with the design process.
When one steps out to do their own thing there is a huge reality check… you are also running a business, you need to bring in work to stay afloat, pay employees, pay yourself and fulfil other obligations associated with the business.
There’s marketing, invoicing, closing deals, clients to meet, contractors asking questions, consultants to coordinate, site visits, phone calls to take and make, emails to answer and letters to write. These things take time and usually that’s time taken away from design duties.”
3. Develop a Work-life balance
“Your business can consume much of your mental resources-you’re heavily invested in its success. Your family will know when your mind is elsewhere.”
The reality is that your new business has the ability to consume you whole. You will work long and hard to set it off the ground; after all, you gave up your day-job to invest in it…in yourself. It is your baby.
Work when you work and rest often. Burn-out is a reality. Hang out with your family and friends; camp out occasionally and sign up to a Gym or a Club. Aside from the obvious benefit of relaxation and recharge, you get to build your network of potential clients.
Do not sacrifice your relationships, your spirituality, mental and physical health - for your new ‘baby’. The quality of your life is part of your success; let not your business override these other elements.
4. Work towards establishing a passive source of income
"People will often delay making important decisions like hiring a designer because it’s a big commitment-financially and emotionally. Building and renovation projects typically incubate in a client’s mind for a long time before they act on them.”
Where does the bread and butter come from during this incubation period and in recession, when your ideal clients are not walking into your office?
There is a need for the Architect to diversify. What else can you offer besides the traditional services?
Work on having a diversified portfolio so that Architecture can be more enjoyable and there is less pressure for you to break even and make profits. Create for yourself a consistent body of work and income in a profession that is extremely recession-prone.
5. Consider getting a business partner
“Initially the idea that you call all the shots is an invigorating feeling. But shouldering all of the responsibility, all of the time, is a lonely and thankless job. You make the coffee, you clean, you set the budget, develop the design concept, do the drafting, answer the phone, manage angry clients, do the invoicing, market the business, secure new work, show up for the interview, attend the public hearing, write the specifications and so on…”
If the task-list involved in running a Solo Architecture Practice is overwhelming to you, consider a different business structure. One that allows you to get a partner (or partners) to compliment your skills and share in your vision and together you can work towards creating the Firm of your dreams.
It goes without saying that Eric is an advocate for thinking big; starting small and learning fast and his book ARCHITECT+ENTREPRENEUR is a treasure for your work library. Let it motivate you in the Genesis of your Solo Practice and guide you on how to reconcile business management and design. Can’t wait to dive into Volume 02 of his book series.
To get additional insight on starting your own Architectural firm specific to the Kenyan context listen to The Cafe Construct Podcast that can be found here in our website too.
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