Welcome to AI and Architecture with Aya Shlachter!
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Her Space: Growing through Personal Branding & Marketing with Ebru Sulker Hunter
Welcome to Her Space’s exclusive podcast series, following my recent session with the AIA Long Island Women in Architecture Committee: Growing through Personal Branding and Marketing!
Join me as I chat with five incredible women who have paved their own paths in architecture and discover how personal branding has been a game-changer for their success.
In our pilot episode, I interview Ebru Sülker-Hunter, co-chair of the AIA Long Island Women in Architecture Committee. Ebru shares valuable insights on building a personal digital footprint and how it can expand your professional network.
Want to see the conversation in action? Head over to our YouTube Channel (@architectmybusiness) and watch the full video interview!
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Financial Success Tips for Architects with Ryan Sullivan
Overwhelmed by tax planning, payroll checks, or just managing your salary? In this episode, I chat with Ryan Sullivan, an engineer turned financial advisor and founder of “Off the Beaten Path Financial,” who breaks down essential money management tips for architects and engineers in the AEC profession.
Ryan explains why financial literacy is crucial for architects, how money provides options and flexibility, and shares key lessons from his journey from engineering to finance. He highlights the ability to zoom in and out when solving problems and the similarities between architecture and finance.
Ryan offers practical tips on optimizing time, managing cash flow, and diversifying income by productizing services. He also emphasizes a holistic approach to financial planning, covering business strategy, tax planning, retirement plans, and overall financial wellness.
Struggling with your finances? Don’t miss this episode and start mastering your financial future!
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Ryan Sullivan is the founder and lead financial planner at “Off the Beaten Path Financial”, a firm that specializes in helping architects and engineers. Ryan began his career as a mechanical engineer, where he built an engineering department from the ground up before transitioning to financial planning. He focuses on helping architects and engineers build and grow their wealth to achieve their biggest dreams.
Ryan believes cash flow is the foundation of a strong financial position and works with his clients to ensure their money aligns with their values. He creates systems that provide peace of mind, financial clarity, and better decision-making.
Listen to the Podcast:
Spotify: Architect My Business
Apple Podcasts: Architect My Business
Podcast Website: www.architectmybusiness.com
Connect with Us!
Instagram: @architectmybusinesspodcast
LinkedIn: Architect My Business
Get in Touch:
Ask Aya anything: www.speakpipe.com/AskAya
Be a Guest: bit.ly/AMBPodcastGuest
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Ask Aya: Do you work when you go on vacation?
Today’s question is: “Do you work when you go on vacation? Or do you unplug completely?”
In this episode, I share how I transitioned from constantly inserting work during vacations to truly enjoying my time off. It’s not easy to completely unplug, but here’s what I did to be more present and enjoy rest without guilt:
🏖️ I became more proactive than reactive, planning ahead to ensure smooth operations.
✈️ I inform my team well in advance about my vacation, setting clear expectations.
📧 I set up an automated email response to manage client and team communications.
👥 I delegate responsibilities to my core management team, trusting them to handle things.
💻 When I can’t resist checking into some urgent work, I limit myself to an hour to align with my team. It’s okay to give in occasionally; a few minutes for peace of mind won’t hurt!
Make sure to listen to this episode for more insights!
If you have questions you’d like me to answer in my next episode, please leave a comment below, send me a voice message via SpeakPipe, or DM me!
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Her Space: Build Your Architecture Career through Networking with Julie Brown
Social gatherings and networking events are a big part of our industry, but many architects still struggle to make the most of them. So, how can we turn these events into real opportunities?
In this episode, networking expert, coach, and author Julie Brown shares practical tips on networking, personal branding, and content creation. She explains how we can network strategically for personal and professional growth and how to show up better in networking situations.
We get into the details of effective networking, including the best ways to reach out to people online, how to be a good connector on LinkedIn, and the importance of staying authentic in events where you feel the need to impress. Plus, we learn how to use our personal brand to build connections.
Ready to up your networking game? Be sure to listen to this episode!
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Julie Brown is a leading figure in the AEC industry, specializing in building strong networks. Known for her dynamic speaking style, she inspires and transforms organizations. Julie noticed that in the industry, networking gets a bad rep so she decided that has to change. She helps architects and firm owners make genuine connections without selling, empowering many to advance their careers through networking.
As a business development strategist with deep knowledge of the architecture industry, Julie has helped architects implement effective business strategies, focusing on personal branding, content creation, and lead generation.
Julie is also the author of, “This Shit Works, a No-Nonsense Guide to Networking Your Way to More Friends, More Adventures, and More Success.” which she will be discussing in this episode.
Listen to the Podcast:
Spotify: Architect My Business
Apple Podcasts: Architect My Business
Podcast Website: www.architectmybusiness.com
Connect with Us!
Instagram: @architectmybusinesspodcast
LinkedIn: Architect My Business
Get in Touch
Ask Aya anything: www.speakpipe.com/AskAya
Be a Guest: bit.ly/AMBPodcastGuest
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The ABCs of Starting an Architecture Firm with Jon Clayton
Ever felt like architecture school didn’t prepare you for the business side of things?
In this episode, I talk to Jon Clayton, an Architectural Technologist helping architects succeed in entrepreneurship with his podcast, Architecture Business Club.
Jon shares his story, from starting as an architect to launching Architecture Business Club to fill the business gaps in the AEC industry. He also introduces his free resource, The Architecture Business Blueprint, a 71-page guide to building your own architecture business.
We also discuss why having the right people in your business matters, how personal branding can make a difference, and the importance of marketing and offering specific services. Jon gives great tips on hiring consultants, managing money, and using digital tools to make running an architecture business easier.
Want to learn how to make your firm thrive? Don’t miss out — listen now and start your path to success!
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Jon Clayton is the founder of Architect Business Club based in Norfolk, England. He’s a chartered architectural technologist who has worked in architecture for over two decades and a sole practitioner for over 10 of those years. John struggled with the challenges of being a sole practitioner in architecture.
He’s made it his mission to help architecture professionals around the world free up their time and build profitable future -proof businesses that fit around their lives. He does this through his work as a coach, consultant, and a mentor, and through knowledge sharing on his top -rated weekly podcast. Outside of work, John’s a guitar -playing, kayaking, Lego -building movie trivia buff!
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Ask Aya: Do You Have a Core Management Team?
Today’s question is: “Do you have a core management team? How do you delegate and monitor responsibilities?”
In this episode, I share how having a core management team has positively changed how I run my business. Here’s why you should consider it too:
💡 A core management team allows for better delegation and monitoring of responsibilities.
💡 It relieves the pressure on you to do everything yourself, just as it did for me!
💡 Using apps and tools for our digital headquarters has improved project monitoring and business management.
💡 Delegating and giving autonomy to employees reduces micromanagement and empowers the team.
💡 Having a well-defined management structure and responsibilities allows for better work-life balance and peace of mind.
Tune in to this episode for more insights!
If you have questions you’d like me to answer in my next episode, please send me a voice message or DM me!
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Her Space: Stress Management for Architects with Morgan Chawaga
In this episode, I chat with Morgan Chawaga, also known as The Healthy Architect. She dives into why mindfulness and stress reduction are crucial in the AEC. Morgan shares her own story as an architect and mom, revealing how it inspired her to start The Healthy Architect (THA). THA offers coaching and workshops to support architects in managing stress and preventing burnout.
Throughout the conversation, Morgan highlights the importance of being present and setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. She also talks about how meditation can rewire the brain and gives easy-to-follow steps on weaving mindfulness into our daily routines, particularly tailored for architects and other professionals in the AEC field.
Tune in to the full episode for a deep dive into integrating mindfulness into your professional practice!
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Morgan Chawaga, licensed architect turned stress management consultant, experienced burnout firsthand, sparking her mission to revolutionize the A.E.C. industry.
Founder of The Healthy Architect, she teaches architects stress management tools that help them DESIGN and BUILD a healthier relationship with their career.
With Morgan’s guidance, architects all over the world have learned how to not only reduce stress, but also communicate their unique workplace needs and prioritize their overall health. These architects are now able to focus on what they do best: designing impactful architecture.
Learn more about Morgan at www.thehealthyarchitect.org.
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Her Space: AREs, Podcasting, Vastu Shastra, and Entrepreneurship with Katerina Burianova
In this episode, we’re joined by Katerina Burianova, the founder of Katerina Burianova Architecture Inc. and host of the ‘From the Honeycomb’ podcast, ranked in the top 100 Best Architecture Podcasts.
Katerina recounts her career journey in the architecture industry, from launching her firm to successful podcasting. She offers insights into her experiences with the ARE exams and the essential lessons she learned. Katerina also discusses Vastu Shastra principles, detailing how she incorporates them into her design work.
Additionally, she speaks on the challenges she’s faced as a woman in architecture and her strategies for overcoming these barriers. Katerina shares her favorite organizational tools and introduces her new resource – ‘The Mindful Blueprint for Launching your Architecture Firm’ e-book, which aims to help architects establish their firms.
For more insights into Katerina’s career journey, listen to the episode wherever you listen to podcasts! Don’t forget to check out the link below to buy her e-book, and use the code architect10 for a 10% discount.
Purchase the e-book here: https://www.kbarchitectinc.com/category/all-products
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Growing up with two cultures gave Katerina Burianova a unique perspective on the world. Born in the Czech Republic and raised in the US, she chose to study architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.
During her five years at university, Katerina worked on various internships, from a historically significant building in the Czech Republic to high-end residential architecture in Chicago.
After graduating, she stayed in Chicago for a few years but eventually moved back to sunny Orange County, California in 2017. In 2022, she became a licensed architect and established Katerina Burianova Architecture Inc.
Outside of architecture, Katerina enjoys yoga, hiking along the California coast, and swimming in the ocean.
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Redefining Success through Personal Reinvention with Jim Cirillo
In the first half of this two-part episode, Jim Cirillo talks about how he redefined success on his terms. As the host of the podcast ‘JimJim’s Reinvention Revolution,’ he emphasizes the importance of passion, innovation, and courage in reinventing oneself.
Jim’s curiosity about technology and his business experience also come into play. He shares insights on technology, business operations, and marketing, which have been beneficial to many firms and companies he has consulted with.
One key insight from the interview is his emphasis on how architects can benefit from embracing innovation and technology. He believes this can help them stay ahead and discover new opportunities.
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Jim Cirillo is a project management consultant, engineer, podcast host and musician with a passion for investing and exploring the digital world of online business. Founder of JIMIUM Group, he began his career in the automotive industry, mastering advanced development methodologies. Transitioning to the optics industry, he excelled as a product manager and applications engineer, specializing in high-tech telecom and specialty fiber optics.
With a keen interest in technology and market drivers, Jim explored online technologies in 2016, leading to the launch of the JimJim’s Reinvention Revolution Podcast in 2017. The podcast explores reinvention in the digital age, featuring interviews with professionals who have reimagined success or are making a pivot.
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