#30: Lisa Sauve, CEO and Principal of SYNECDOCHE , joins us to reveal how her Detroit-based architecture studio won a major cultural project in a new market by pushing back against the original RFP. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio Learn more about SYNECDOCHE: https://www.synecdoche.design/ Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode: → What no-portfolio strategy got SYNECDOCHE invited to pitch for a major cultur...
Aug 06, 2025•41 min•Ep. 30
#29: Alexander Buckridge returns to Growthitect just over a year into launching Studio Bucky , revealing how he landed his biggest project yet. We dive deep on Bucky’s strategies, lessons, and mindset shifts behind continued growth as a new firm owner. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio Learn more about Studio Bucky: https://studiobucky.com/ Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode: → What never fails to keep Al...
Jul 30, 2025•33 min•Ep. 29
#28: Joseph Cole, CEO and founder at Culture Architecture and Design , joins us to share how building a strong studio culture can be the foundation for scaling a successful firm. In this episode, we dive into Joseph's unconventional strategies for landing massive projects with a small team and the mindset shifts that set his practice apart. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio Learn more about Culture Architectur...
Jul 23, 2025•40 min•Ep. 28
#27: Cavin Costello, Principal at The Ranch Mine , joins the show to talk about the bold new strategy he and his wife are championing: designing and building model homes that double as short-term rentals and immersive client experiences. We dive into the risks, logistics, and big opportunities behind their approach and what it could mean for architects who want to break the mold. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/stu...
May 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 27
#26: Jenn Rittler, Associate Principal at Moody Nolan , provides a deep dive into one of the most overlooked parts of winning work: what happens after the contract is signed. Using the massive, multi-phase Penn State Intramural Building as a case study, Jenn shares how great firms keep earning trust long after the kickoff meeting. From joining projects mid-stream to aligning with clients and managing complex teams, this episode is all about leading with clarity and impact. PS - If you’re a growt...
May 21, 2025•41 min•Ep. 26
#25: What does it take to win one of the most groundbreaking public school projects in the US? Laura Gwyn, Managing Director at Perkins&Will, joins Tyler Suomala to share how her team secured the first Living Building Certified public school. From building a mission-driven team to delivering a pitch that combined expertise with authenticity, Laura breaks down what it really takes to lead at the highest level. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The St...
Apr 30, 2025•44 min•Ep. 25
#24: Marc Spector, founder of Spector Companies, unpacks landing one of the most iconic projects of his career: a commission inside the legendary Seagram Building by Mies van der Rohe. No flashy pitches. No designs. Just pure, relationship-driven strategy. In this conversation, Marc breaks down how trust, intuition, and human connection led his team to win big, proving that sometimes, the most powerful tool in architecture isn’t the drawing board – it’s the people around it. PS - If you’re a gro...
Apr 23, 2025•47 min•Ep. 24
#23: How do the best residential architecture firms win work? Alex Gore of F9 Productions has figured it out. In this episode, he breaks down the real strategies behind standing out in architecture – and reveals how his team landed a dream high-end residential project in Boulder, Colorado. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio Here’s what you’ll learn in the episode: → What never fails to make architects instantly...
Apr 16, 2025•43 min•Ep. 23
#22: Partner and Founder at Studio Lyon/Szot reveals how his eight-person firm went head-to-head with global giants – and won. This is the ultimate David vs. Goliath story, packed with raw insights, bold strategies, and the mindset shifts that made it possible. If you’ve ever wondered how a small firm can punch above its weight and land game-changing opportunities, this episode is for you. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthite...
Apr 02, 2025•47 min•Ep. 22
#21: Lissette Callejas, Director of Marketing at Sweet Sparkman, reveals the strategies that propelled her firm to win in the Reimagining Pei International Competition. We break down the secrets behind standout proposal submissions – what works, what doesn’t, and how to position your firm as the obvious choice. Get ready to dive deep into how to elevate your marketing game. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio He...
Mar 26, 2025•44 min•Ep. 21
#20: Alexander Buckeridge of Studio Bucky joins us again to share exciting updates on his firm's global success and discuss his pricing strategies for a major upcoming project. We'll dive deep into how he plans to navigate the complexities of a high-end residential design. → How did Alexander secure a big residential project from a former retail client? → What are Alexander’s strategies for defining clear deliverables and revision terms in a long-term project? → How does he plan to structure his...
Dec 26, 2024•41 min•Ep. 20
#19: Graham Irwin, owner of Essential Habitat Architecture , joins Tyler Suomala to delve into effective strategies for lead generation and maintaining client relations in the architecture industry. This episode provides insights drawn from Graham's 20+ years of experience running a solo practice across different business processes and marketing strategies. → What are the key elements in developing a sustainable system for client referrals? → How can architects differentiate their marketing effo...
Dec 18, 2024•46 min•Ep. 19
#18: Rachael Smith of Lighthouse Studio joins us to explore how to expand her business and optimize her project workflows. We delve into the nuances of project management, client contracts, and how to scale a high-end residential architecture firm. In this conversation, we discuss: → How planning work schedules ensures a consistent project pipeline while allowing time for business development → How to lock clients into larger and longer contracts (and why that’s better for the architect and the ...
Dec 11, 2024•47 min•Ep. 18
#17: Lori Beppu and Glen Cordova of BMA Architects join me to dive into the intricacies of networking, business development, and their journey as new partners in a high-end residential architecture firm. Listen as we explore effective strategies for client acquisition, relationship building, and maintaining exclusivity in a competitive market. → Are live events a good way to identify potential contractors and partners? → What are the best practices for maintaining relationships with partners and...
Dec 04, 2024•42 min•Ep. 17
#16: Michael Maturo of DYAMI Architecture joins us to explore how AI can transform marketing and sales processes in the architecture industry. From handling complex projects to optimizing client engagement, Michael shares his invaluable 20-year industry experience. We dive into: → Using AI to organize content and create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for architecture firms → What are the benefits and challenges of using AI tools like ChatGPT or evyAI for content creation? → How does DYAMI ...
Nov 27, 2024•56 min•Ep. 16
#15: Bradly Hirdes of Ordinary Architecture Practice joins host Tyler Suomala to discuss proactive business development and networking strategies for architecture firms. Hear how Bradly navigates client relationships and expands his network in Houston, Texas. We dive into: → Showing genuine curiosity in building client relationships → How often should architects engage in networking events to build and maintain relationships? → What is the importance of formalizing a relationship management syst...
Nov 20, 2024•39 min•Ep. 15
#14: Anamargarita Baasch, a Venezuelan architect and firm owner now practicing in the US, joins us to discuss overcoming the challenges of outreach and building a diversified client base. We delve into proactive networking strategies and the potential of targeting niche markets in high-end residential and commercial projects. We dive into: → Strategies to help overcome the reluctance to call strangers → Setting a regular time for outreach activities → Why you need to choose a specific market foc...
Nov 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 14
#13: Tyler Mikolajczak of Built Studio joins me to tackle two very common challenges. First, how architects can succinctly describe what they do and who they help. Then, how to make the value of good design more clear and obvious to clients. Join us as we unpack the strategies for engaging clients and the essentials of crafting compelling business messages. We dive into: → A formula to succinctly describe your business message → How do you prioritize client engagement throughout the design proce...
Nov 06, 2024•40 min•Ep. 13
#12: Jason Altman of WLP Associates joins me to discuss actionable marketing strategies for architecture firms with limited resources. This episode dives into overcoming common marketing challenges and highlights effective techniques to diversify client acquisition. We dive into: → What are the most common mistakes architecture firms make in their marketing efforts? → How can firms with limited resources begin to build a solid marketing strategy? → Why is LinkedIn a preferred platform for market...
Oct 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 12
#011: Ever wondered how to create a lasting client experience in architecture? Matt Forget, co-owner of 5 Architecture in Florida, joins us to kick off Season 2 by diving into client onboarding experiences and his sales strategies. We dive into: → What are some of the successful pricing strategies in architecture? → Why are memorable client onboarding and closing experiences so crucial? → What are the steps in Matt's sales and onboarding process? → How can you use humor and creative labelling in...
Oct 23, 2024•37 min•Ep. 11
#10: Alexander Buckeridge, of Studio Bucky, and I sit down with our favorite drinks to celebrate his success and the end of Season 1. And this time, I finally get to ask Alexander some questions! → What advice does he have for architects that want to start their own firm? → What are most architects overlooking? → What are his long term goals with Studio Bucky? → What’s his most controversial point of view on architecture? → What’s his biggest takeaway from our time together? 00:00 Podcast Intro ...
Aug 21, 2024•50 min•Ep. 10
#09: In this episode, I share multiple strategies for building a sustainable pipeline of future clients with NYC-based architect Alexander Buckeridge. We dive into: → How to use the momentum from his first client to get more clients → How to manage a lead pipeline and a sales pipeline → How to identify if a real client opportunity exists 00:00 Episode Intro 01:59 Future Projects and Networking 06:27 Managing Relationships with CRM Tools 07:16 Understanding Lead vs. Sales Pipeline 08:23 Defining ...
Aug 14, 2024•30 min•Ep. 9
#08: Hey friends, Tyler Suomala here, your host of the Growthitect podcast. In this episode, NYC-based architect Alexander Buckeridge and I reflect on his journey to landing his first client. We dive into: → What happened on the final call before winning the project → The project timeline and his plan for execution → Why this is the first step of building a sustainable business 00:00 Podcast Intro 01:47 Starting a Promising Client Meeting 02:24 Securing the First Client 03:09 Project Details and...
Aug 07, 2024•23 min•Ep. 8
#07: Hey friends, Tyler Suomala here, your host of the Growthitect podcast. In this episode, I advise Alexander Buckeridge, an NYC-based architect that just launched his own firm, Studio Bucky. We dive into: → How to manage a sales pipeline → How to think about workload delegation → How to create offers that overcome client hesitations 00:00 Episode Intro 00:48 Podcast Intro 01:54 Pipeline Building and CRM Tools 10:15 Delegating Tasks and Scaling Up 11:01 Exploring Remote Teams and Global Workfo...
Jul 31, 2024•24 min•Ep. 7
#06: Hey everyone, Tyler Suomala here, your host of the Growthitect podcast. In this episode, I advise Alexander Buckridge, an NYC-based architect that just launched his own firm, Studio Bucky. He’s trying to win his first project, so we dive into how Alexander can approach the conversation and negotiate effectively. The conversation is packed with nuggets like how to prepare for the call, how to identify the decision maker, and what vocabulary works best in a negotiation. 00:00 Episode Intro 01...
Jul 24, 2024•39 min•Ep. 6
#05: Hey everyone, Tyler Suomala here, your host of the Growthitect podcast. In this episode of the Growthitect podcast, I consult with Alexander Buckridge, an NYC-based architect launching his own firm, Studio Bucky. We dive into how Alexander can leverage LinkedIn to attract high-quality clients. Learn how to grow your company account, setup your personal account for success, and divide your content properly. Plus we discuss how to send an effective launch announcement to your network. 00:00 E...
Jul 17, 2024•21 min•Ep. 5
#04: Hey everyone, Tyler Suomala here, your host of the Growthitect podcast. In this episode of the Growthitect podcast, I consult with Alexander Buckridge, a NYC-based architect launching his own firm. We dive into two potential projects that Alexander is trying to win right now. The first is a large distillery project in Ireland with roots from Alexander’s childhood. The second is some smaller scale installations for a developer in NYC. Listen in to understand how to approach projects as a new...
Jul 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 4
#03: Hey everyone, Tyler Suomala here, your host of the Growthitect podcast. In this episode of the Growthitect podcast, I consult with Alexander Buckridge, a NYC-based architect launching his own firm. In this consult, we dive into the brand identity and website design of Alexander's new firm, Studio Bucky. You’ll hear the unique way that Alexander approached his brand identity and what my recommendations to dramatically improve conversions from his website. If you’ve ever wondered about what g...
Jul 03, 2024•31 min•Ep. 3
#02: Hey everyone, Tyler Suomala here, your host of the Growthitect podcast. In this episode of the Growthitect podcast, I consult with Alexander Buckridge, a NYC-based architect launching his own firm. We dive into Alexander's first proposal experience, the challenges he faced with project rejections, and strategies for using these setbacks as growth opportunities. I offer practical advice for improving client interactions, setting clear budget expectations, and structuring tiered pricing. Tune...
Jun 26, 2024•31 min•Ep. 2
#01: Hey everyone, Tyler Suomala here, your host of the Growthitect podcast. In this episode, I’m excited to introduce you to Alexander Buckeridge, an architect based in NYC who’s taking the bold step of starting his own firm. Alexander’s journey is incredibly inspiring. He’s worked at some of the most notable architecture firms in both Europe and the U.S., and now he’s venturing out on his own. We dive into some key topics that I think you'll find really valuable, like how to balance design wit...
Jun 19, 2024•26 min•Ep. 1
