I’ve been in my firm for about five or so years now, and been out of uni for about 10. It’s a medium sized firm, not big or very well known but it does ok. The people are good and the architecture ranges between ‘bread and butter’ to innovative large projects. But always around this time of year, when you’re catching up with old friends and networking with new ones, there comes The Proposition Between Friends – should we quit our jobs and start our own company? Ohh it does sound good – the opportunity to do my own designs, and create the kind of company that I want to be working at. Sometimes I feel I am so restricted by the designs of the director that I don’t get a chance to use my skills. But it is of course also a quite confronting idea – what if I don’t get enough clients? How do I even fund a new business in the first place? And do I really want that responsibility?
So, in an effort to get more info about a pipe-dream, I thought I’d put it out to you, readers. If you’ve started your own firm, any tips, hints, recommendations to help me weigh up the options? Can you ‘ease’ yourself in to a new firm or do you really have to ‘cut and run’? Would it be practical to stay back and Admin a project, while starting a new one? And if you don’t have family nearby is there really any chance of getting clients? Is it best to start with residential? And then finally, what happened to your best mate friendship once you’ve decided to start a business together?
Would love to hear any of your thoughts, it’s a tough decision!
I received this as a comment on another post:
Good morning,
My name is Louise Manning and I specialise recruiting within the Mining & Oil and Gas industries.
Currently I am seeking a Senior Architect for a contract role based here in Perth.
This is a role that would suit a Senior Architect with a wealth of experience behind them and someone that could apply this knowledge effectively. It will most likely be more of a front end focused position but experience at all stages is highly desirable. Ideally you will have at least 8-15 years experience and exposure within the mining industry.
To be successful you will be able to demonstrate that you are ready to take the next step in your career, that you take ownership, you thrive in an exciting environment and deliver quality solutions with efficiency and within budget, leading others to do the same. Yourself starter approach will allow you to mentor and coach others within your team.
Please feel free to pass this email onto anyone whom you feel maybe interested or you think maybe suitable.
Please give me a buzz if there is any additional information you may require,
Many thanks
Kind Regards
Louise Manning
Senior Consultant, REM Consulting
Project management specialists and IT, Engineering & Technical resourcing.
Suite 9, 120 Lake Street, Perth WA 6000
ph 08 9227-0060 mb 0421 006 179
http://www.remconsulting.com.au
I got an interesting email at work this week from a friend, so thought i’d post it up here to help out:
Good morning all
We are seeking a competent all rounder senior architect to take some of the load off me and Tim Morley so we can stop working ridiculous hours. We are looking for someone who has at least 5 years experience and can take a project from concept to completion with minimum supervision, and there are good prospects for a future directorship for the right person.
We have advertised on Seek and in the newspaper with very disappointing results and several colleagues in a variety of professions have advised that they procure all of their staff via word of mouth rather than advertising. Consequently we are trying this approach.
We are most definitely NOT trying to poach your staff but are putting the word out if any of you know anyone who may fit the bill. Perhaps someone who is a casualty of the GFC or a self employed practitioner who is struggling to find sufficient work.
If you can think of anyone please ask them to contact me or respond to the advert on Seek.
Many thanks
Regards
Gavin Davis b.arch araia mia (sa)
DIRECTOR
MORLEY DAVIS architects
architecture • interiors • planning • project management
107 Cambridge Street, West Leederville WA 6007
Tel: (08) 9388 7777 • Fax: (08) 9388 7755
gavin@morleydavis.com.au
