Episode 160: Practice Disrupted and the Practice of Architecture

What’s next for Evelyn, Je’Nen & Practice Disrupted? 

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we welcome Je'Nen M. Chastain back as we wrap up season 8 of the show! If you don’t already know her, Je’Nen is a business strategy consultant, entrepreneur, and podcaster who helps leaders transform their teams and companies. In our conversation, Je'Nen shares what she has been doing during her podcast hiatus while Evelyn opens up about her journey with her various projects, emphasizing the innovation and exploration that come with stepping into a new chapter of a career.

First, Evelyn talks about her journey into architecture, starting in business school, which informed her perspective on the architecture field. She explains why firms should embrace innovation and the necessity for a firm-wide cultural desire for evolution.

Next, Evelyn explains how she managed the shift away from her job at Slack and why this transition gave her the freedom to nurture the Practice Disrupted Community + Lab. She shares her current projects and passions and explains the need for architects to pay attention to market changes and trends to promote evolution. Plus, Evelyn talks about creating her own chatbot and using AI to analyze business operations, marketing, and communication.

I've been on the consulting side of workplace strategy for a very long time…My vision is that in order for the architecture industry to survive, it needs to undergo some systemic change. And I can't do that helping or working one firm at a time. I would rather find like-minded people that are interested in similar things and give them the tools to do it themselves. I just also think that it scales so much better…we continue to scale, and we can continue to make an impact. That’s what I want to be able to do as an entrepreneur, and I don't feel like I could do that as a consultant. - Evelyn Lee

To wrap up the conversation, Je'Nen and Evelyn share the ups and downs of entrepreneurial journeys, touching on the isolation of building a business and the importance of consistent commitments like this podcast. Evelyn highlights why she moved away from consulting and discusses her goals for the future. 

You will also hear a sneak peek into what is to come next season! 

Guest:

Je’Nen M. Chastain

Je’Nen M. Chastain is a business strategy consultant, entrepreneur, and podcaster who helps leaders transform their teams and companies. Combining her architectural education and training with an MBA in entrepreneurship, Je’Nen built Apostrophe Consulting, a growing business management consulting practice.

📍 Show Links:  

Practice Community + Lab

Practice of Architecture 

Canoa

Gumption

Women Defining AI

Almost Technical

Shepley Bulfinch

AceLab

📚Past Related Episodes: 

PD #67: Architecture And: The Future of Workplace

PD #92: /slantis, Enabling Technology in Practice

PD #157: The Skills Required for a Technology Driven Future

PD #150: Women Defining AI for Architects

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