Can Small Practices Make a Sustainable Living?
Are you a small architectural practice owner (one to five)? The question of whether micro-businesses can be financially viable has sparked endless debate. The RIBA East Small Practice Network decided to tackle this head-on by conducting a short survey, delving into turnover, income, barriers to financial success, and your main challenge for the year ahead.
Join us for an insightful presentation of the results by our independent survey host, Coach Karen Fugle of SleepingGiant Consulting, along with the survey initiator, Barbara Paagman of DAY5 Architecture, and the RIBA East Small Practice Network.
This event isn't just about numbers – it's about real experiences. Join us to discuss the survey findings, share insights, and address the practical obstacles faced by small practices. No embellishments, just candid conversations about the path to financial self sufficiency. Save the date and join the conversation – because together, we'll uncover ways to support each other as a community and pave the way for a stronger future for small architectural practices.
Survey Initiator:
Barbara Paagman is the Director of DAY5 Architecture, a practice in Hertfordshire. Working as a sole practitioner on small projects such as extensions, loft conversions and the occasional new build, it's a struggle to make a sustainable income without any secondary income. Barbara and a few other architects in the group were keen to find out if this is a shared experience and how others make it work.
Survey Host:
Karen Fugle is a seasoned AEC professional and the founder of SleepingGiant Consulting. With over 25 years of industry experience, she uses her unique understanding of design culture to coach design professionals, and accelerate their personal, professional, and organisational performance. Karen is the author of the soon-to-be released Architect’s Leadership Journal - a structured, leadership-focused journal designed to support architects' self-development by building a weekly habit of reflection and intention setting.
About the group
The RIBA East Small Practice Network is a regular online networking meeting for start-ups, sole practitioner architects and small and emerging practices in the East of England (practices of five people or smaller, or practices less than five years old, based in the east). Please ensure you meet all of the criteria before signing up.
As with all meet ups, networking is encouraged and we welcome questions which can be either posted when registering or emailed to riba.east@riba.org.
These events are hosted by Small Practice Network Joint Chairs, Liz King (Liv Architects), Adam Grant (Norton Studio Architects), and Ann Bassett (Bassett Architects).
