Leadership Lessons from the East | EP641

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework What does it take to lead one of the oldest architecture firms in America—and keep it thriving? In this episode, Troy Thompson and Roxanne Malek pull back the curtain on how legacy, leadership, and long-term thinking come together inside SmithGroup. But don’t expect the usual corporate jargon—this is a rare look into the mindset behind real, lasting success. From navigating ambiguity to balancing profit and purpose, they share lessons learned from decades of growth. You’ll hear how they make bold decisions without losing their soul—or their sanity. And why true leadership in architecture today means designing much more than buildings. Listen now to discover: The one trait no architecture school teaches—but every top leader needs Why "more money" isn’t the real goal (and what actually is) How to scale a firm without becoming a soulless machine This episode will challenge how you see success—and how you lead. To learn more about Roxanne & Troy, visit their: Website: www.smithgroup.com  

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework What if the secret to running a thriving architecture firm wasn’t doing more, but actually doing less? In this episode, Enoch Sears and Rion Willard share a surprising insight from the East that changed how they think about leadership, creativity, and business growth. Rion’s recent travels sparked a deep realization that may flip your idea of “productivity” on its head. You’ll hear stories, metaphors, and one simple daily ritual that reveals a new way to think about time, decision-making, and the path to long-term success. Whether you're burned out, overwhelmed, or just looking for a fresh perspective, this conversation delivers. Listen now to discover: A strange habit from overseas that can shift your mindset in minutes Why you might be making your biggest decisions at the worst possible moment A forgotten rule for success used by top creators, leaders, and yes…even monks

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework If you’re like many firm owners right now, you’re feeling the weight of uncertainty — what is happening in the market and - what’s next for my practice? On today’s episode — in this special State of Architecture address — you’ll discover: What’s really happening in the market right now (and what most architects are missing). The biggest mistake small firm owners make during a downturn — and how to avoid it. A step-by-step path to turn uncertainty into opportunity, so you can lead your firm with clarity, confidence, and strength.

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Architects love to design—but when it comes to managing money, many feel overwhelmed, underprepared, or just plain stuck. The creative fire that fuels great projects often fizzles out under the weight of cash flow crises, vague budgets, and project finances that never seem to add up. When small architecture firms grow, the numbers don’t always follow. In this episode, Ryan Mayhugh from HOK shares what really makes or breaks a firm’s success. You’ll hear what most small firm owners miss—and why that blind spot is more dangerous than they think. The conversation uncovers how creative freedom can coexist with smart money management. And why some “common sense” decisions can quietly sink your business. Discover what separates firms that thrive from those that stall out—and why the difference has nothing to do with talent. The single budgeting shift that helped a startup land a multi-million dollar exit. Why following your gut on project pricing might be the worst move you can make. The quiet advantage big firms use that small firms can “steal” without selling out.   Website: https://www.hok.com/  

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework In this captivating episode of Business of Architecture, Peter Markos unveils the unexpected journey from freshly minted architect to founder of a niche, design-led development venture. What started with handcrafted models and zero capital evolved into a groundbreaking cabin project, earning major funding, press recognition, and a sustainable business model. Peter’s story weaves through scrappy beginnings, bold financial maneuvers, and a surprising stroke of entrepreneurial insight. He talks about the hidden power of creative leverage, the overlooked value of sweat equity, and how constraints sparked scalable innovation. This episode isn’t just about building a cabin—it’s about building belief in possibility. The clever move that turned $100,000 into something far greater—without laying a single brick. How a model smaller than your desk convinced strangers to sign over their land. The high-stakes risk Peter took (that you definitely shouldn’t)—but might wish you could. To learn more about Peter, visit his: Website: https://www.markosdesignworkshop.com/

Hiring in architecture is high-stakes. Get it wrong, and you end up with missed deadlines, confused roles, office drama—or worse, talented people who simply can’t work together. This episode dives into the quiet costs of hiring missteps and how to avoid them. Hiring the wrong person can silently break a thriving firm. In this episode, Enoch Sears and Rion Willard unpack a new way to think about identifying top talent. Not the typical “rock star” you might imagine—but something deeper, more strategic. They explore where most architecture firms go wrong in their hiring process. You'll hear surprising reasons why even skilled professionals can hurt your team. And they share how small shifts in approach can unlock major gains in performance and harmony. You’ll also hear the behind-the-scenes story of how they tested for something you’d never find on a résumé—and how one hire changed everything. Here’s what you’ll discover: The silent trap most firms fall into when someone “looks great on paper” A little-known interview twist that reveals what really drives someone Why hiring without this one thing can drain profits and morale—fast  

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Many architects dream of doing their own developments, but the fear of financial risk, inexperience with construction, and lack of support can stop them before they start. Becoming your client sounds empowering until you're staring down zoning codes, contractor bids, and bank meetings. In this episode, architect and developer Kevin Hittle shares how he bridged that gap. Kevin started as a laborer, became an architect, and eventually wore all three hats: architect, developer, and contractor. It’s a story of sweat equity, smart deals, and building something both beautiful and profitable. You’ll learn how one small project sparked a bigger vision—and how being deeply involved at every stage of the process changed the way he now designs for others. His practical insights offer a grounded, no-fluff view of what it really takes to make development work as a solo architect. And he’s clear about the one piece of experience every architect should get. Listen to learn: How he built a $1.8M project with less than $30K in cash The rare zoning loophole that changed everything Why being “the maintenance guy” made him a better architect The unexpected thing he now regrets not upgrading   To learn more about Kevin, visit his:  Website:www.SSH-Arch.com  

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework When your pipeline dries up, clients vanish without paying, and payroll is looming with no cash in sight—what do you do? In this episode, we dive into a real-life scenario where an architecture firm faces a $52K quarterly loss, $215K in overdue invoices, and only three weeks of cash left. What happens when your firm hits a financial wall—hard—and you’ve got just weeks of cash left? This episode pulls back the curtain on a real architecture practice facing exactly that. You'll hear a raw, behind-the-scenes look at a business in crisis—and how smart billing, strategic thinking, and community insight begin to turn the tide. You'll meet an architect pushed to the brink—no new projects, massive unpaid invoices, and a crushing cash flow crunch. But within the pressure, unexpected strategies emerge. From ancient Roman wheels to outsourcing breakthroughs, this episode isn’t just theory—it’s a survival guide. In this episode, you’ll discover: The surprising mindset shift that instantly changes how cash flows into your firm A little-known outsourcing trick that could save your practice six figures Why one ancient invention still haunts your billing system—and how to break free Ready to uncover what you don’t even know is costing you?

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework What happens when a young designer stops waiting and just starts building? In this episode, we meet Shane Curry—a 30-year-old designer who decided to take the leap into development, without a roadmap, and without waiting for the perfect moment. What followed is a story of risk, grit, and surprising wins in one of the most expensive housing markets in the world. Shane shares how he navigated his first project, convinced partners to jump in with him, and found a way to make the numbers work. He talks about how he’s grown a design studio without ads, and why he refuses to do copy-paste architecture. His approach is raw, action-focused, and full of lessons for anyone tired of sitting on the sidelines. Listen in to learn: The unusual way Shane landed his first real estate deal Why “being just dumb enough” might be your best strategy How he turned $0 in marketing into a pipeline of projects The mindset shift that made risk feel exciting—not scary   To learn more about Shane, visit his: Website: https://www.studio1904.com/

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Many architects dream of launching their own firm, but few do it with the level of preparation and insight that Matthew Arnold brings to the table. After nearly 15 years at a celebrated architecture practice, Matthew made a bold move, one inspired by a surprising encounter with two iconic projects in the Arizona desert. What followed was a shift not only in career, but in how he sees the role of architects in shaping their own futures. In this heartening and practical conversation, Rion explores what made Matthew take the leap, what he did beforehand to prepare, and how he now blends the roles of designer and developer. Listeners will hear about the surprising lessons from famous architects of the past, and the critical detail that helped Matthew win a key development deal without breaking the bank. Listen to learn: What a legendary gala tradition reveals about the business of architecture Why one dinner in the desert changed everything The mistake Matthew made selling a unit too early and how it backfired How one overlooked seller need gave him a development deal no one else could win To learn more about Matthew, visit his: Website: www.matthewdarnold.com