Business of Architecture Podcast

Enoch Bartlett Sears

  • 31 minutes 27 seconds
    The Architect's Money Story: Why Beliefs Shape Your Practice More Than Numbers | EP669

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    Architects often feel torn between their creative calling and the pressure to "talk money," leaving many unsure how to price their work, defend their value, or navigate client conversations without anxiety.

    Money is supposed to be boring, distant, and handled by someone else, especially in architecture. In this episode, Enoch and Rion pull back the veil on the quiet myths architects inherit about fees, value, and what their work is really worth. They show how those hidden stories shape firms, projects, and even your sense of freedom as a practice owner.

    Starting from a shocking comment Enoch heard at architecture school, the conversation moves through history, Wall Street, and today's studio culture. You'll hear how a new way to see money can change the clients you attract, the projects you win, and the role you play at the table.

    • The offhand remark that froze a studio room—and exposed a deep bias about architects who care about money.
    • How one simple reframe turns money from "dirty" to a powerful technology of trust in your practice.
    • Why a common industry tool might be training your best clients to see you as a commodity.
    12 January 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 59 minutes 25 seconds
    How Architecture Firms Can Build High-Performance Remote Teams | EP668

    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 Camila Brugger, founder of WorldTeams—the company quietly transforming how architecture firms grow. Camila shares her personal journey from witnessing the chaos of her parents' small practice to building a 650-person global team that serves over 200 firms. Her story is raw, energizing, and full of practical insight for any architect tired of doing it all alone.

    You'll hear how remote talent can unlock growth, freedom, and surprising loyalty—even if you've tried outsourcing before and failed. Camila reveals the mindset shifts and systems that make remote work actually work. And she doesn't hold back on the tough lessons that helped her scale without burning out.

    In this episode, you'll discover…

    • The silent hiring mistake most architects are still making—and how it's costing them thousands.
    • What one architecture firm owner did to 3X their team without opening a single job ad.
    • Why your dream lifestyle might be just one mindset shift away.

    To learn more about Camila, visit her website: https://worldteams.com/

    5 January 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 50 minutes 4 seconds
    From Reactivity to Responsibility: How Architects Can Regain Control and Create Calm in Their Practice | EP667

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    Architects often find themselves juggling client demands, project deadlines, and team issues while feeling like they have no space left for themselves. This episode tackles that hidden pain—why architects run on panic even while designing calm, beautiful spaces for others.

    Many firm owners live in constant "firefighting" mode, but don't see the cost on health, team, and profits.

    You'll hear stories of monks, pilots, scuba divers, and tax bills that show the price of knee-jerk reactions. You'll also see how nervous system science, rituals, and one monthly habit can raise your status as a leader and steady your team. You'll glimpse a way to run your practice, where you feel ahead instead of always behind.

    • Why one pilot's "engine failure" became a masterclass in calm leadership.
    • The daily habit that turns your inbox from trap to tool.
    • How a tweak in planning flips your practice from drama to safety.
    29 December 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 52 minutes 44 seconds
    Designing Profit and Purpose: How Drew Pedrick Built a Remote, Values-Driven Architecture Firm | EP666

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    When Drew Pedrick started his architecture firm, he didn't follow the usual rules. No office. A global team. A deep focus on meaning, not just design. In this episode, Drew shares the mindset shift that helped him build a profitable, values-driven practice from the ground up.

    Host Enoch Sears digs into how Drew balances creativity and business, and what most architects get very wrong about profit. They talk about staying aligned without an office, building strong partnerships, and what it really means to run a "conscious" firm. This conversation is honest, bold, and full of unexpected lessons for any architect ready to stop playing small.

    In this episode, you'll discover:

    • The surprising structure behind a firm that looks freeform
    • Why most architects' "budgeting system" guarantees stress and burnout
    • How to protect your peace—and your profit—before the first client call

    Tune in and rethink how architecture can work.

    To learn more about Drew, visit his website: https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/

    22 December 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 15 minutes 20 seconds
    Why Architects Struggle With Fees—and How to Fix It

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    Fees start everything in an architecture firm: the work you take, the team you pay, and the life you live. In this episode, Enoch Sears and Rion Willard cut through "competitive pricing" and show why fee stress is rarely about the number on your proposal. They point to what low-fee fear is really signaling—and why it's hard to fix later.

    You'll hear how sales and marketing shape fees more than most architects admit, and why confidence is built from real inputs, not hype. They also preview an updated industry fee report and how you can use it to see your fees in context. It may change how you price next job.

    • The hidden reason "I might lose this job" shows up right before you quote.
    • The blind spot that makes smart architects think they can sell.
    • The profit clue that warns something deeper is off—before you crash.

    Contribute your data and get access to the updated Architectural Fee Report at https://businessofarchitecture.com/fees

    19 December 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 46 minutes 45 seconds
    From Overwhelm to Ohm: Mindset Shifts for Architecture Firm Leaders | EP665

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    Architects often find themselves buried under deadlines, staff questions, and the pressure to deliver flawless work—leaving little room to breathe, lead, or think creatively. This episode explores why that overwhelm feels so persistent and why traditional fixes rarely move the needle.

    Drowning in projects, staff issues, and nonstop client demands? In this episode, Enoch and Rio dig into what really sits beneath overwhelm for architecture firm owners and new partners.

    You'll hear how ego and pride in being "the busy one" can trap you in a me-centric office, and why real change starts with how you see yourself, not with another tool or system.

    • The hidden "reward" you may be getting from overwhelm… and why letting it go can feel unsafe.
    • A quiet shift in how you see your role that lets your team grow while you step back.
    • The wake-up calls that push some architects to rebuild their firms—and their lives.
    15 December 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    From OMA to Developer: Rethinking Architecture Through Ownership and Value | EP664

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    What do two architects do after working at one of the most elite firms in the world? In this episode, Alex Yuen and Minkoo Kang share how their time at OMA shaped their view of architecture—and why they chose a very different path. They now work at the intersection of design, development, and teaching.

    But they didn't just trade desks—they rewired the way they think about value, money, and impact. If you've ever felt stuck between being a visionary and being profitable, this episode speaks directly to you. You'll hear how these two navigated burnout, risk, and reinvention to reclaim creative and financial power.

    Whether you're still chasing design awards or itching to build your own thing, what Alex and Minkoo reveal will shift how you see your role as an architect.

    • The hidden cost every architect pays—but rarely talks about
    • How to unlock design freedom without pitching or pandering
    • Why "good design" might be the least important part of your project

    To learn more about Alex & Minkoo, visit their websites: https://co-operations.org/ - https://generalpartneroffice.dev/

    8 December 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    The Non-Linear Strategy for Scaling Your Architecture Practice Fast | EP663

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    Architects often feel stuck and overwhelmed when dealing with the challenge of growing their firms beyond the exhausting hustle-and-grind stage, especially when the traditional path to growth feels slow, risky, and filled with staffing headaches. Many try to "stay small" to avoid these pains—only to face inconsistent cash flow, constant stress, and limited creative freedom.

    Enoch & Rion explore a bold and unexpected path to growing an architecture firm—one that challenges long-held beliefs in the industry. Along the way, they reveal why so many small practices stay stuck, and what keeps talented architects locked in old models that drain time, energy, and joy.

    You'll hear stories from firm owners who broke out of the grind, the hidden risks of staying small, and a surprising route that can give instant stability and creative freedom.

    By the end, you'll see the industry from a new angle—and feel pulled toward a different future.

    • The "invisible desert" nearly every firm must cross—and the shortcut few know exists.
    • A counterintuitive move that can turn years of slow growth into a single bold leap.
    • The surprising reason a bigger firm can be easier to run than a small one.
    1 December 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 51 minutes 21 seconds
    Designing Profit: How Bill Caleo Built The Brooklyn Home Company | EP662

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    What happens when a trained actor walks away from the stage and steps into the world of real estate development? In this episode, Rion Willard speaks with Bill Caleo, co-founder of The Brooklyn Home Company, about how one bold move—and one deeply personal project—sparked a $500 million design-led business. You'll hear the journey of how heart, family, and instinct came together to form a vertically integrated firm that's rewriting the developer playbook.

    Bill shares how his theater background gave him a unique edge most developers miss—and why he believes developers have a duty to shape culture, not just buildings. You'll also hear a surprising story about one handcrafted object that saved an entire project during a financial crash. And for architects dreaming of more control, more beauty, and better margins, this conversation just might crack something open.

    In this episode, discover:

    • The unusual career path that became a secret advantage
    • A costly mistake that revealed the most profitable design move they ever made
    • Why their most powerful marketing strategy isn't what you think

    To learn more about Bill, visit his website: https://www.thebrooklynhomecompany.com/

    24 November 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 47 minutes 41 seconds
    Goal Setting for Architects: Measurable Targets, Feedback, and Clarity | EP661

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    Architects often feel stuck chasing "someday" goals, working harder but not getting closer to the practice or life they imagined. The real pain? Knowing you're busy, overwhelmed, and talented—yet still unclear about what you're aiming for or why progress feels so slow.

    Enoch and Rion share how a small shift in how you think about targets, feedback, and your "default future" can reshape your practice and your life.

    You'll hear how their own health scares and career detours uncovered blind spots they never saw coming.

    You'll get a simple check-in across four areas of life and a fresh view of what real progress looks like.

    • Why one blunt question about your future makes it hard to keep tolerating the status quo.
    • The sneaky way "being busy" can drain your self-esteem and your team's drive.
    • A daily habit with a notebook that can expose what you truly want faster than any course.
    17 November 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 43 minutes 52 seconds
    From Architecture Grad to Developer: How Baker Roddey Launched His First Investment Project | EP660

    End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework

    What happens when a young architect trades a steady paycheck for a risky first project—with no guarantee of success? In this bold episode, Baker Roddey reveals how he navigated real estate rules, raised unexpected funding, and turned one deal into a springboard for his firm. But it wasn't easy—and what he shares will challenge your ideas of what it really takes to grow.

    You'll hear how strategy, sales, and sheer nerve played a role—but not in the ways you might expect. Baker opens up about the invisible barriers architects face, and how he learned to move through them without burning bridges (or cash). His story isn't just smart—it's surprisingly spiritual.

    Whether you're just starting out or ready to rewrite your path, this conversation holds insights worth stealing.

    • The quiet financial tactic no architect is taught in school—but should be.
    • How one phone call (and a mindset shift) unlocked the deal that changed everything.
    • The one "soft skill" Baker used to raise five figures… without pitching like a bro.

    To learn more about Baker, visit his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bakerroddey

    To learn more about Mary Beth, visit her website: https://threerealestate.com/

    10 November 2025, 1:00 pm
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