Architect My Business

Episode 4 of our AML Podcast Series is now live! Tune in as we engage in an enlightening conversation with Saakshi Terway.

Join us as she shares her wisdom and leadership journey, reflecting on the highlights of the AIA Women's Leadership Summit 2023.

You can also check out the video interview on our YouTube Channel (@architectmylife) or simply click on this link to watch it.

This special series was recorded during the WLS Happy Hour hosted by the Immigrant Architects Coalition and Women Architects Collective, proudly sponsored by MGS Global Group and Utile.

Your host, Aya Shlachter, talks with Cathy Morrison— Partner at Neighboring Concepts.

In celebration of Filipino Heritage Month, Aya and fellow Filipina Cathy delve into Cathy's career in the architecture industry. Cathy shares her journey, from acquiring a firm with partners to overcoming challenges as a Filipina architect. She underscores the value of seeking opportunities outside the office for personal and professional growth.

Cathy also reveals effective business development strategies and highlights the importance of genuine networking. She offers practical insights into project management and team alignment. The conversation also touches on staffing and talent retention, along with Cathy's dedication to supporting minority architects.

Don't miss this insightful discussion on Cathy's remarkable contributions to both the architecture industry and her community. Listen all the way through to gain valuable takeaways on starting a firm!

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Cathy Morrison is a seasoned architect with a passion for collaborative design and a broad range of experience in various fields, including urban planning, education, and healthcare architecture. She strongly believes in the power of the built environment to improve everyday experiences and enable members of our communities to thrive.

With 16+ years experience, Cathy brings a passion for collaborative design and a broad range of experience in Urban Planning and Architecture. As a Partner at Neighboring Concepts, she strongly believes in the power of the built environment to elevate everyday experiences and allow all members of our communities to thrive. Cathy is a recipient of the 2023 NCARB President's Medal for her service striving to increase diversity in the leadership of the organization and profession.

Find out more about Cathy at www.neighboringconcepts.com.

BE PART OF THE PODCAST:

Do you have a question in mind? Send me your questions and I'll answer them on a podcast episode!

If you'd like to be a guest on Architect My Life, click HERE.

Episode 3 of our AML Podcast Series is here! In this episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Luciana Triplett.

Join us as she shares her inspiring story and leadership journey while offering valuable insights from her experience at the AIA Women's Leadership Summit 2023.

You can also check out the video interview on our YouTube Channel (@architectmylife) or simply click on this link to watch it.

This special series was recorded during the WLS Happy Hour hosted by the Immigrant Architects Coalition and Women Architects Collective, proudly sponsored by MGS Global Group and Utile.

Episode 2 of our AML Podcast Series takes you even further into the insights and stories shared at the AIA Women's Leadership Summit 2023.

Join us as we sit down with Mika Naraynsingh and explore her incredible journey at the summit!

You can also check out this video interview on our YouTube Channel, @architectmylife, or simply click on this link to watch it.

This special series was recorded during the WLS Happy Hour hosted by the Immigrant Architects Coalition and Women Architects Collective, proudly sponsored by MGS Global Group and Utile.

Join us for the very first episode of our AML Podcast Series, recapping the AIA Women's Leadership Summit in Boston!

This special series was recorded during the WLS Happy Hour hosted by the Immigrant Architects Coalition and Women Architects Collective, proudly sponsored by MGS Global LLC and Utile.

Listen to our chat with Graciela Carrillo and stay tuned for more inspiring conversations with incredible women from the summit!

You may also view the video on our YouTube channel, @architectmylife, or simply click on this link to watch it.

Your host, Aya Shlachter, talks with Nikita Morell — a copywriter for only architects and founder of Architects WordShop: an online shop dedicated to helping architects with their words.

In this episode, Aya and Nikita explore the role of words in the world of architecture. Nikita, an expert in architectural copywriting, shares some practical tips to help architects make a strong impression online.

Nikita discusses why it's important for architects to have a website and gives advice on how to create a good one. She talks about the value of good writing for architects and points out some common mistakes architects make when writing for their websites. Plus, she offers easy-to-follow tips on how to fix those mistakes.

Nikita also talks about using email newsletters to connect with clients, and she describes what makes a great email newsletter that keeps clients interested and helps architects stand out as experts in their field.

Listen to this episode to learn how using the right words can help architects get more clients!

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Nikita Morell is a copywriter for only architects. She is also the founder of Architects WordShop: an online shop dedicated to helping architects with their words.

Nikita specializes in making architecture websites sound more human, less robot—so architects can get a steady stream of ridiculously good projects. Nikita analyzed 663 architecture websites, you can see the results on her website.

Find out more about Nikita at www.nikitamorell.com.

BE PART OF THE PODCAST:

Do you have a question in mind? Send me your questions and I'll answer them on a podcast episode!

If you'd like to be a guest on Architect My Life, click HERE.

Your host, Aya Shlachter, talks with Ashley Bell Davis— co-owner of Davis Design & Consulting.

In this episode, Aya and Ashley delve into the fusion of architecture and engineering, a cornerstone of their company's services, and how these two fields synergize to provide value to their clients.

Ashley emphasizes the significance of affordable, accessible architectural and engineering services, the power of word-of-mouth in business development, and the need for continuous reassessment of the business structure and finances in the AEC industry. She also highlights the importance of community involvement for architects, drawing from her experience with organizations like AIA, LEAP, and Designing Women of Acadiana, which reflect her dedication to mentoring and supporting young architects.

Be sure to listen all the way through to learn more about how Ashley and her engineer husband managed their business!

In this special episode, taken from Aya's talk at the Sheroes of Architecture Conference in May 2021, she discusses how creative business owners can become more financially responsible and achieve financial freedom. She emphasizes the importance of financial planning, setting goals, and having a succession plan.

Aya also shares simple strategies that can help creative entrepreneurs achieve financial success with confidence:

1. Living within your means

2. Making wise and consistent investments and savings

3. Maintaining a positive mindset towards wealth (generosity is key!)

4. Setting clear financial goals

5. Seeking quality advice from experts

Be sure to tune in to this episode to learn more about these strategies and pave the way for a more secure financial future for your creative business!

ABOUT SHEROES OF ARCHITECTURE CONFERENCE:

The Sheroes of Architecture event was a 3-day virtual conference held on Zoom from 12th to 14th May 2021, aimed to empower and inspire female architects. Recognizing the extraordinary talent of women in the field of architecture, the event addressed the challenges women faced as a minority.

The conference brought together a diverse group of female role models in architecture who were eager to share their experiences and wisdom, aiming to uplift and support other architects. Founders Sara Kolata and Lisa Raynes had personally witnessed the struggles within the industry, from starting their own architectural practices to facing redundancy during maternity leave.

With the objective of breaking down barriers and uniting powerful female architects, Sheroes of Architecture offered valuable insights and practical advice for women seeking success in running their practices. The event celebrated the strength and determination of women in the profession, echoing the sentiment, "I am a woman, hear me roar!" by Hellen Reddy.

BE PART OF THE PODCAST:

Do you have a question in mind? Send me your questions and I'll answer them on a podcast episode!

If you'd like to be a guest on Architect My Life, click HERE.

Your host, Aya Shlachter, talks with Erica Spayd— President of Prose Architecture.

In this episode, Aya and Erica explore the power of storytelling in architecture. Erica shares her unique approach, incorporating creative storytelling and design thinking into her practice. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes how design thinking methodologies improve decision-making, creativity, and leadership within architectural firms.

Erica also discusses the intersection of efficient processes, autonomy, and intentional firm scaling in the architectural business. Discover the transformative power of design thinking for architects and their teams. Listen to this conversation to know more!

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Erica Spayd is the President of Prose Architecture, a firm focused on telling brand stories through design. She previously designed stores in-house for J. Crew, Madewell, and most recently Warby Parker, where she and her team designed and built over 120 stores over a four year span. Eager to help new brands leave their brick-and-mortar mark, and with a desire for greater flexibility and better work-life harmony, Erica launched Prose in 2023. Erica lives in New Jersey and loves a good shopping mall. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and eating ice cream. Her kids think you should know that her favorite construction vehicle is a concrete truck.

Find out more about Erica at www.prosearchitecture.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.

BE PART OF THE PODCAST:

Do you have a question in mind? Send me your questions and I'll answer them on a podcast episode!

If you'd like to be a guest on Architect My Life, click HERE.

Your host, Aya Shlachter, talks with Lee Noel Chase— Architectural Designer and Principal of Chase Design Services.

In this episode, Aya and Lee engage in an uplifting discussion exploring Lee's unique approach to residential design by incorporating emotional connections, personal experiences, and understanding clients' needs. Lee delves into the nitty-gritty of building genuine relationships and establishing rapport with clients, resulting in a meaningful, intimate, and story-driven design.

Lee also opens up about the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry, highlighting her personal growth and the importance of maintaining authenticity and individuality. She discusses her empowering "Just Do It!" approach, which helped her overcome her limiting beliefs and scale her firm.

Don't miss out on Lee's secret to 5x business growth—stay tuned until the end!

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Lee Noel Chase is an Artisan-architect who pioneers a heart-centered approach to designing houses and homes. With over 25 years of experience, Lee specializes in creating compelling custom high-end residential architecture. Her design work seamlessly integrates the emotional desires of homeowners with their living spaces. Lee's expertise has earned them numerous accolades, including Historic Preservation Awards. She is also known for their meticulous bench-fabrication of museum-quality architectural details for historic buildings across the country.

Throughout her career, Lee has successfully managed teams of skilled artisans at three elite construction companies. Currently, Lee resides outside of Boston with her high school-age son. Both Lee and her son share a passion for drawing and creating artistic works..

Find out more about Lee Noel at www.chasedesignservices.com or connect with her via Instagram - @leenoelchase.

BE PART OF THE PODCAST:

Do you have a question in mind? Send me your questions and I'll answer them on a podcast episode!

If you'd like to be a guest on Architect My Life, click HERE.