We asked Sanjana Fernandes to share her insights on the necessary experience, networking, and mindset required for architects and designers looking to start their own firm.

That brings the question: How can I start my own architecture firm?

⏳ How Long Should You Work Under Someone Else?

You need time in the trenches before you can lead your own charge.

• The Sweet Spot: A minimum of two years, with the ideal being three years of experience.

  Why Does it Matter?

  The architecture industry is incredibly vast, and you need to tackle a wide range of challenges under guidance as something new happens every single day.

  This initial period is when you learn to be a "jack of all trades". This includes everything from people management, handling client emotions and egos, correcting designs, managing budgets, and rectifying snags.

  This time is also crucial for sharpening your basic skills and, most importantly, understanding where your personal strengths and weaknesses lie as a future founder.

💼 Securing Your first Client ( Even if You're Shy )

• Move On if Necessary: If your job didn't give you much client face-time you need to be proactive and make sure you are in an environment that helps you grow.

  
  

• The Power of Visibility: You need to build your network aggressively.

  
  

• Show Up: Attend all the industry conferences, forums, panels, and expos. "You have to show up to the room" before you can earn a seat at the table.

  
  

• Network Everywhere: Don't just focus on Architects. Connect with vendors and suppliers, they might be the ones to recommend you to a client.

  
  

• Be the Brand: You can’t be super-introverted and expect clients to find you. If you're skilled but don't know how to speak or brand yourself, no one will know you exist. It needs to become a part of your overall personality, starting as early as college (professors, friends, family, neighbors, etc.).

💰Initial Financial Investment

Starting an architectural or interior design firm does not require a large amount of initial capital.

• The Essentials: Your primary investment is one really good laptop and the necessary software.

  
  

• Commute: A reliable way to get around, like a decent car (when you can afford it), is important. You have to run around a lot, and unfortunately, how you show up to a high-budget client matters. It makes a subtle but important impression.

  
  

• Team: You don't need a full-time team initially. You can hire a 3D visualizer or any other freelancers that you need on a project-by-project basis, paying them from the fees you receive.

  
  

• Office Space: You don't need to rent an office. It's perfectly fine to rent a conference room in a co-working space or meet a client at a coffee shop. This culture is totally normalized today.

🚀 Key to Exponential Growth

The biggest factor in Sanjana's experience that led to significant growth was a mindset of courage and taking risks.

• Say Yes: The approach is to "saying yes to," or "not getting scared or not getting backed down by anything that looked risky".

  
  

• Jump First, Figure it Out Later: "I always say yes and then I figure out how to do something and then the path opens up".

  
  

• Always Connect: Networking is a continued high-impact activity.

  
  

• Relationship is Everything: You need to maintain your equations with clients so well that even years after the work is done, they still think of you first for any new work.

Baseline is, grind, temper your expectations and keep a positive attitude throughout.