Architects love to design—but when it comes to managing money, many feel overwhelmed, underprepared, or just plain stuck. The creative fire that fuels great projects often fizzles out under the weight of cash flow crises, vague budgets, and project finances that never seem to add up.

When small architecture firms grow, the numbers don’t always follow. In this episode, Ryan Mayhugh from HOK shares what really makes or breaks a firm’s success.

You’ll hear what most small firm owners miss—and why that blind spot is more dangerous than they think. The conversation uncovers how creative freedom can coexist with smart money management. And why some “common sense” decisions can quietly sink your business.

Discover what separates firms that thrive from those that stall out—and why the difference has nothing to do with talent.

• The single budgeting shift that helped a startup land a multi-million dollar exit.
• Why following your gut on project pricing might be the worst move you can make.
• The quiet advantage big firms use that small firms can “steal” without selling out.

Website: https://www.hok.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hok/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoknetwork/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HOKNetwork

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hoknetwork

► Transcription: https://otter.ai/u/KcJzD2se6jzgCIvFxQL0WBBS_Lc?utm_source=copy_url

► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitecture.com

► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/

► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call

► Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for updates:

https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture

*******

For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessofarchitecture

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessofarch/

Website: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/yt

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusinessofArch

Podcast: http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/show

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-architecture-podcast/id588987926

Android Podcast Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9idXNpbmVzc29mYXJjaGl0ZWN0dXJlLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

*******

Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Carpe Diem!

In this captivating episode of Business of Architecture, Peter Markos unveils the unexpected journey from freshly minted architect to founder of a niche, design-led development venture. What started with handcrafted models and zero capital evolved into a groundbreaking cabin project, earning major funding, press recognition, and a sustainable business model.

Peter’s story weaves through scrappy beginnings, bold financial maneuvers, and a surprising stroke of entrepreneurial insight. He talks about the hidden power of creative leverage, the overlooked value of sweat equity, and how constraints sparked scalable innovation.

This episode isn’t just about building a cabin—it’s about building belief in possibility.

• The clever move that turned $100,000 into something far greater—without laying a single brick.
• How a model smaller than your desk convinced strangers to sign over their land.
• The high-stakes risk Peter took (that you definitely shouldn’t)—but might wish you could.

To learn more about Peter, visit his:

Website: https://www.markosdesignworkshop.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-markos-40281bab/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markosdesignworkshop/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559889704182

► Transcription: https://otter.ai/u/BXn996AW9pCh1QeCz9t7g4ccAyE?utm_source=copy_url

► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitecture.com

► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/

► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call

► Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for updates:

https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture

*******

For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessofarchitecture

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessofarch/

Website: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/yt

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusinessofArch

Podcast: http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/show

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-architecture-podcast/id588987926

Android Podcast Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9idXNpbmVzc29mYXJjaGl0ZWN0dXJlLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

*******

Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Carpe Diem!

Hiring in architecture is high-stakes. Get it wrong, and you end up with missed deadlines, confused roles, office drama—or worse, talented people who simply can’t work together. This episode dives into the quiet costs of hiring missteps and how to avoid them.

Hiring the wrong person can silently break a thriving firm. In this episode, Enoch Sears and Rion Willard unpack a new way to think about identifying top talent. Not the typical “rock star” you might imagine—but something deeper, more strategic.

They explore where most architecture firms go wrong in their hiring process. You'll hear surprising reasons why even skilled professionals can hurt your team. And they share how small shifts in approach can unlock major gains in performance and harmony.

You’ll also hear the behind-the-scenes story of how they tested for something you’d never find on a résumé—and how one hire changed everything.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• The silent trap most firms fall into when someone “looks great on paper”
• A little-known interview twist that reveals what really drives someone
• Why hiring without this one thing can drain profits and morale—fast

► Transcription: https://otter.ai/u/9p-X8XzGlN3d4az7Qyp7QEhq5n8?utm_source=copy_url

► Feedback? Email us at podcast@businessofarchitecture.com

► Access your free training at http://SmartPracticeMethod.com/

► If you want to speak directly to our advisors, book a call at https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/call

► Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for updates:

https://www.youtube.com/c/BusinessofArchitecture

*******

For more free tools and resources for running a profitable, impactful, and fulfilling practice, connect with me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessofarchitecture

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessofarch/

Website: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/yt

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusinessofArch

Podcast: http://www.businessofarchitecture.com/show

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-architecture-podcast/id588987926

Android Podcast Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/BusinessofArchitecture-podcast

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9idXNpbmVzc29mYXJjaGl0ZWN0dXJlLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz

*******

Access the FREE Architecture Firm Profit Map video here: http://freearchitectgift.com

Carpe Diem!