Architect and Entrepreneur: A Field Guide to Building, Branding, and Marketing Yo

This book was just phenomenal. There is so much covered that I would have not even thought of. There are different companies, websites, etc. that he endorses throughout the book. At first, I was thinking, "Hmm, I wonder how much these companies are paying this guy!" However, after questioning and doing a lot of my own research, his recommendations of how to go about things and what services to use really gives you the most bang-for-your buck and he has truly done all the research for you. This book is very thorough and well written, and above all else- it saved me SO much time and from having to do SO much research. It's like having a mentor to take you step-by-step and get you going. I recommend not really getting started until you read the book front to back, and then start following his steps- going back and reading it again. There is a lot to absorb, and all of it is important. The book is about $20 bucks but if you follow Eric's advice, it can save your business at least $2,000 in time, effort, finding the best deals for your needs, and avoiding missteps. I will also be buying his starter package that his company provides online. Another huge time and effort saver.

of feast or famine, with me it was always snack or famine. My problem...no marketing savvy.Anyway, this book paid for itself by the end of chapter five alone. There are times where there are so many good ideas in a row that it almost seems overwhelming. Eric has clearly applied his creativity not only to his architecture, but in devising how to start, run and sustain a design business. I have also bought is book on how to capitalize on Houzz. I haven't started it yet as I haven't finished this book, but will review it once I am done.The first few chapters of this book delve into the mechanics of starting your own firm. I skimmed through this. Then Eric gets into the marketing piece, and this is where the value for me is. He basically lays out step by step how to do this, for me, elusive task. I will likely read this book twice because there is so much there worth getting that one read won't do it.I highly recommend this book!Henry L. Miller, Architect

I found this book very straight forward and easy to read, I loved the first chapter but I have mixed feelings about other chapters.Pros:* Easy to read and comprehend the materials, you may already noticed that English is my second language.* Tailored tactics for sole proprietors and early startups.* very up-to-date ideas.* some financial information like passive income tools, were really helpful!Cons:* This book talks about tactics not strategies, may help small startup firms and professionals , but doesn't have area for big dreamers or people with long term vision.* Marketing chapter: especially in the fast-paced internet age is unnecessarily detailed, most of the tactics are good for 2 years until new emerging tools will show up, this is a fact of technology advances, makes this marketing chapter probably useless in the next 5 years, I prefer a timeless and motivating approach than a step-by-step practice manual.* missing an important chapter: working with others, shaping firm around healthy culture, leaning from and providing mentorship of team members and finally marketing your self to hire the best talents.Conclusion.Overall, I recommend this book for reading. it has some concepts that I found very useful. although I'd read other entrepreneurship books before this book.

I am currently an Intern Architect who would like to have my own business one day. As an intern, I do not usually get exposed to the business side of running an architecture firm and appreciate that this book helps lay out the process and considerations of starting your own practice. It also has sparked ideas as to how I can start my own business while still employed at my current firm. I still have a lot to learn and I am not yet an architect, but I know I do not wish to work for someone else for the rest of my life. This book helps the brainstorming process of how I can apply my architecture skills to a business, how I can be relevant for potential clients. It also helps confirm what I had been contemplating before, selling services and sets online, but had dismissed because of how specific architecture can be and the liability associated with our profession. I have really enjoyed this book and I have purchased and am half-way through Volume 2. I would recommend this book if you are in the AEC industries and want to branch out on your own. If anything, it will help you see possibilities if you did not before and will help give you general steps to get yourself started. But you have to take action for this book to really help.

Finally a book (two books) for the sole practitioner architect with relevant and usable information. I am working my way through both books a second time with a highlighter and taking lots of notes in a separate notebook. I have already used the book to push me over the edge in terms of changes to my business. I have had the foundations laid for a while now but lacked some basic and simple information to get going. One could get this information elsewhere in time consuming bits and pieces but Eric provides what I need here in one place and in a clear format. The first book is more inspirational (I've been a sole practitioner for 16 years already) and the second book has tons of very practical information but should be purchased and read together.

Eric details the business side of architecture, a topic most people don't want to delve into. As someone who is about to graduate with his masters and has been heavily exposed to only design, I became immediately enthralled with this book. The book discusses things such as business structures, taxes, marketing, client interviews and compensation. A very interesting read for anyone wanting to start their own design practice. The credibility comes from the writer's own experience that are discussed in the book.