How hard is it to start a new practice in today’s world?
Starting a habit during a global epidemic can be seen as a bad idea. For some architects, it has been inspired by the need, made the unwanted from a particular practice. For some, it’s something they’ve been looking at for a long time and the timing was right, though.
Satisfaction with work
“Bad times can be good times,” said Paul Zara.
He founded Paul Zara Architects in June 2020 after 35 years with Conran + Partner. There was no specific game plan, he admits, but apparently job satisfaction played a major role in his decision. He had a strong desire to be a craftsman again.
“As you take higher positions, you grow a few hands,” he said. “Going back to the details of the scheme is very important to me. Being able to manage data carefully, ensuring that your properties are at least 20% of the quality: this is what I want. ”
So far, she has found it easier to work for herself. He has no over-paying offices, and keeps the business structure simple. As a one-man micro practice, he has been working with freelancers and intends to continue to do so.
First-time customers
Of course, all practices require clients. Zara has been able to line up for small projects, especially residential. Some major projects then come with former clients.
As Zara points out, architects will have a clause in their contract and a practice that does not allow them to approach their customers for some time after your departure. This will be six months. But you suggest that such phrases do not prevent any such clients from approaching you, if they choose.
Kent’s Ingrain Architecture was founded by Phil Ward and Chris Palmar, both of whom had collaborated on 40 different projects before being demolished and later disbanded. Like Paul Zara, they enjoy the hands-on experience of low-level work, as well as dealing with individual customers.
Their biggest challenge so far, the Ward reveals, was to learn how to set priorities and evaluate what tasks to work on and when. This is a revenue management problem. They need to make sure they get the right amount of money at the right time, in order to meet their individual outbursts; that their borrowed money and housing expenses are paid.
“Keep talking,” Ward urges any new habits. “Do not let anyone think for a moment that you are not ready to work during the ban.”
Thankfully, all of their first clients have decided to continue with the projects during the re-locking process and the practice begins to find their first repetitive task. Its projects were mostly residential, although it had acquired a warehouse. Pro bono work may seem like a threat to new jobs, but the hobby that pro bono has made is now lucrative and could last for several years.
Niall Maxwell is the founder and director of the Rural Office for Architecture. It is by no means a new practice, as it was established back in 2008 when Maxwell and his family decided to move from London to Carmarthen. But he can clearly remember the challenges of finding clients in a completely new environment.
“As a self-employed person, you have a strong desire to get a job,” says Maxwell. “We’ve offered some services as loss leaders, successfully: small household chores to keep us busy.”
“There is a need to stay connected and take whatever you need to keep going. At the same time, you should never sell yourself short and ‘lower yourself’ by the price. If you stick to your standards, it can take time, but in the long run, it is worth it. ”
The UK inflation of 2008 to 2010 saw the introduction of many new trends, proving that financial pressure should not be a barrier to establishing a successful business. Marketing and communications
Ward and Palmar from Ingrain have been paying close attention to social media from the beginning, posting regularly on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. LinkedIn has been particularly helpful, Ward notes, and has shown great potential in increasing the performance profile.
The soft approach to social media has eventually paid off for the Rural Office for Architecture. Maxwell’s strategy has been relatively easy, but the practice now has about 27,000 followers on Instagram.
“I always communicate very carefully what we do and introduce myself as someone you can talk to,” he revealed. “I always reply to messages even when they are from a foreign student. I try to be honest and I will talk about failure, lack of pressure and pressure in the post.
He believes that, when it comes to social media, honesty pays off. It has led to emotional engagement from potential customers.
“There are many different ways to approach communication. One new client was referring to certain aspects of my life that I was talking about online. He had been talking about the practice. ”
