Business of Architecture Podcast

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