How Raising Your Fees Creates Freedom in an Architecture Practice | EP684

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Chris Smart didn't start out confident about money. He undercharged, worked nonstop, and felt the stress spill into his home. In this conversation with Enoch Sears, he shares the turning points that helped him move from survival mode to more space and better clients—without losing his love for design. You'll hear what changed as he moved from "be competitive" thinking to a clearer view of value, service, and faith. It's part business, part inner work, and honest about what it costs to wear every hat alone. If you run a small firm and feel stretched thin, this episode will challenge what you call "normal." On today's episode, you'll discover: The quiet belief that keeps talented architects stuck at "drafter money" The mindset shift that made higher fees feel clean—and eased pressure at home Why "more projects" can feel safer… and how that can become the trap To learn more about Chris, visit his website: https://chrissmartdesigns.com/

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Running an architecture firm has never been simple. Between creative demands, clients who want more for less, and the ever-shifting landscape of technology, many practice owners feel stuck. But what if the very tools and habits you rely on are holding you back? In this episode of Business of Architecture, host Rion Willard sits down with Matthew Nickerson, serial entrepreneur, consultant, and longtime ally to design firms. Matthew shares hard-earned lessons from building and selling companies, working with world-class practices, and bridging the worlds of art, business, and technology. His story reveals how small shifts can unlock growth, reduce stress, and create real freedom inside your firm. You'll also discover: The hidden drain quietly steals profits from firms of every size Why some practices thrive while others drown in chaos — and the overlooked difference A future trend in firm management that almost no one is preparing for To learn more about Matthew, visit his website: https://www.milientsoftware.com/

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework A solo architect shares the real story of launching a practice as the world shut down—then facing a legal fight that could have ended everything. You'll hear what it did to his mindset, his marriage, and his business; it's a field report from the trenches, and it also shows what long stress costs when you try to carry it alone. Then the conversation turns to the pivot: how he stopped drowning in volume, reclaimed his week, and began to earn more with fewer jobs, without living in constant rush or losing sleep over deadlines. He explains why saying "no" became one of his most profitable skills. He also shares how mentorship helped him spot blind spots, tighten habits, and set firmer boundaries with clients. The quiet red flag he ignored at first The contract tweak that changed client behavior The uncommon path he used to get licensed To learn more about Andrew, visit his website: https://www.raharchitecture.com/ To purchase Andrew's book, click here: https://a.co/d/1eFe5ld  

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Running an architecture firm today means more than great design — it means mastering the business side. In this episode of Business of Architecture, host Enoch Sears sits down with Matt Cooper, CEO of BQE, to explore how firm leaders can finally break free from outdated tools and habits that hold them back. You'll hear why so many architects unknowingly run their practice like it's still the 1990s, and what shifts the most successful firms are making right now. Matt also shares lessons from scaling businesses in other industries, and why those insights matter more than ever for architects who want both profit and freedom. Most importantly, this conversation reveals how to stop flying blind and start leading with clarity. In this episode, you'll discover: The hidden trap that keeps most firms stuck in survival mode. A surprising insight Matt brought from hotels and restaurants into architecture. Why one simple change can empower your entire team overnight. To learn more about Matthew, visit his website: https://www.bqe.com/

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Most architects fear that free work devalues their profession. But what if there was a way to offer pro bono design without losing money—and even turn it into projects that fuel your practice? In this episode, Enoch Sears speaks with Chris Bryant, founding director of Alma-Nac. Together, they explore a bold approach that mixes generosity with business sense and how it has led to opportunities that would never have appeared otherwise. Chris shares lessons from the early days of "free architecture" to a structured model that now supports communities, wins trust, and even sparks funding. Along the way, you'll hear stories of risk, trial, and surprising payoffs. In this episode, you'll discover: The overlooked move that turned "free" sketches into serious work. Why a simple outreach strategy was harder than expected—but worth it. How one pro bono project unlocked resources beyond anyone's guess. To learn more about Chris, visit their website: alma-nac.com

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework This episode drops you into a live AIA New York "Risk" event, where architects, developers, and legal experts get brutally honest about what it really takes to build in today's world. You'll hear how risk actually moves through a project, and why the current system keeps architects stuck at the bottom of the food chain. The panel shares real stories of projects that almost died, then turned around when someone was willing to take on a different kind of risk. You'll also hear how some architects stepped into development, pricing, and early strategy without blowing up their careers. If you've ever felt like "just a consultant," this conversation will hit home. In this episode, you'll hear about: The moment one firm realized their "safe" approach was the real danger How a risky first project became the seed for a whole company A simple shift that helped architects stop racing to the bottom on fees

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework In this episode of Business of Architecture, Rion Willard sits down with Dominic McAndrew, Head of Architecture and Design at CBRE Design Collective for the UK and Ireland. What's it like to run a high-performing design team inside one of the world's largest real estate companies? Dominic shares a rare behind-the-scenes look at how he's growing a profitable practice—without following the traditional path of starting his own firm. You'll hear how his team doubled revenue, secured a more diverse client mix, and gained leadership traction—all while staying embedded within a global corporate machine. But this isn't about selling out. It's about showing up differently, playing smarter, and tapping into a deeper well of opportunity most architects miss. Tune in to discover: Why being small inside something big might be your best bet The one internal shift that sparked team-wide growth How to lead with value—even when the client holds all the cards To learn more about Dominic, visit his website: https://www.cbre.com/services/design-and-build/design

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Michele Grace Hottel sits down with Enoch Sears, founder of Business of Architecture, for a talk on what practice ownership can quietly take from you—and how it doesn't have to. Enoch shares stories from behind the "awards and accolades" and points to the hidden patterns that keep firm owners stuck, even when they love the work. From a hard truth an accountant once delivered, to why outside coaches can change the game, the conversation moves from money to meaning without turning into a lecture. They also wander through early architectural memories, a few iconic buildings, and a view of how architects could shape the next era of communities. The "one sentence" an accountant said that made a successful architect rethink everything. The unexpected reason Enoch says most firms stay trapped—even when they're busy. A small habit from studio days that reveals a bigger advantage most people miss. To learn more about Michele, visit her website: https://www.mgharchitect.com/

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework What happens when AI meets the business of architecture? In this episode, Rion sits down with Dr. Sam Zolfagharian—co-founder of YegaTech—to explore how AI is reshaping the AEC industry. Sam shares insights from years of experience in structural engineering, construction tech, and leading-edge AI. But this isn't just about tools and tech. It's about mindset, risk, and what happens when firms approach AI the wrong way. Sam unpacks how small firms can gain a huge edge—without chasing every shiny new tool. You'll also hear why AI isn't here to replace architects—but it will change who thrives and who gets left behind. In this episode, you'll discover: The most dangerous question firms ask when starting their AI journey How one engineer cloned herself—and why your next hire might not be human The quiet revolution happening inside clients' minds (and how it could change your fee structure forever) To learn more about Sam, visit her website: https://yegatech.com/

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework Anthony Laney didn't "get lucky." He was nudged by a mentor who asked a few pointed questions that changed his path. What followed was a slow, intentional climb from modest beginnings to a studio known for exceptional residential work. In this conversation, you'll hear how Anthony thinks about designing the practice, not just the projects. He shares how he built momentum without betting the farm, why he keeps investing in guidance, and what happens when a team learns to treat truth as fuel instead of a threat. You'll also catch the mindset shifts behind growth: how to face uncertainty, turn hard moments into process upgrades, and build a culture where high standards feel energizing, not crushing. The simple outreach move that made other firms want to send him work (and why most architects never try it). The "feedback rule" that sounds intense… until you hear what it does to performance and trust. The quiet metric he watches that reveals more about a firm's health than "busy" ever will. To learn more about Anthony, visit his: www.laney.la