to start a firm

rick12
Thu, 03 May 2007 08:50:41 +0000

Cheers, let me clear up a couple of things. I do not make 800k. I make a reasonable salary, and I share in the profits of the firm as an owner. Sometimes that is a nice amount, sometimes it has been zero. This is the reality of business ownership.

My fundamental disagreement with your advice is that setting up your career based on how Pritzker prize winners have done it is just not good advice for most folks. This is like giving an average high school basketball player advice on how to have a Hall of Fame career; don’t go to college, go straight to the pros, lead the league in scoring, win a few NBA championships. Even a Parade All American probably has a better shot at getting hit by lightning. Your advice may work if you have Tom Mayne’s talent and drive, but for the average student it is not good advice.

Are there any Pritzker prize winners in architecture/construction firms? No. Are there any in my region? No. Any in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami? No. If that is the standard for having a meaningful design career, we may as well just put our pencils away because it is not going to happen.

I stick by my advice; work in a good firm, do significant work, get licensed, save money, meet potential clients, then if you have a burning desire go start a firm.

rick