Jon helps you start 2025 on a strong note by recommending three key podcast episodes. He highlights the importance of the Architecture Business Club's membership community for architects, technologists, and designers. Jon shares updates on upcoming episodes and guest interviews, providing tips for writing business plans, quarterly planning, and PR in your business. He also invites you to join the waitlist for the community to gain support and connect with like-minded professionals.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Episode Recommendations for a Successful Year

07:23 Sneak Peek: Upcoming Episodes

12:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Key Takeaways...

Get Ready for the New Year

Listen to Episode 9 for tips on reflecting on your business and setting clear goals.

Check out Episode 33 to learn how to write or update your business plan.

Tune into Episode 13 for advice on using quarterly planning to break goals into smaller, doable steps.

What’s Coming Up

Don’t miss our special CIAT podcast episode about the three biggest challenges for architectural technologists—advice that works for any service-based business owner.

Hear from Ange Lyons in a two-part interview about freelancing. She’ll cover finding clients, marketing, setting prices, invoicing, and managing admin tasks alongside client work.

The Power of Community

Discover how the Architecture Business Club brings together small firm owners to share ideas, gain support, and network. It’s all about creating a business that gives you freedom, flexibility, and fulfilment.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

👉 Listen & Subscribe To The 'Where it’s AT' Podcast 🎧

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Want to be the first to hear how to join our membership community?

👉 Click here to JOIN THE WAITLIST 😀

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources…

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝

👇 And if you enjoyed this episode…

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

In The Next Episode...

Next time Jon chats with Ange Lyons about freelancing.

In this special Boxing Day episode of Architecture Business Club, Jon looks back at 2024 and counts down the top five podcast episodes of the year. Jon, who helps small architecture firm founders build their dream businesses, celebrates the podcast's achievements, including reaching 10,000 total downloads and launching a membership community. He shares personal Christmas traditions and highlights, shares the year’s top five (most downloaded) episodes, and states the importance of community and connection for sole practitioners. Jon also encourages listeners to reflect on their own year and join the podcast's supportive community.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:29 Jon's Christmas Plans

02:33 Podcast Achievements and Milestones

06:47 Top 5 Podcast Episodes of 2024

07:09 Number Five

09:56 Number Four

11:26 Number Three

14:07 Number Two

16:44 Number One

17:45 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead to 2025

Key Takeaways...

Focus on What You Do Best

Specialise in the areas of architecture you love and are great at. Work with others who specialise in different stages, like project delivery. This helps you work smarter, deliver better results, and feel less stressed.

Don’t Go It Alone

Running a business solo can feel lonely. Make an effort to connect with others—whether that’s meeting in person, chatting on the phone, or joining online groups. A supportive network makes your work more enjoyable and sustainable.

Start, Even If You’re Afraid

Fear of failure shouldn’t stop you from starting your architecture practice. Mistakes will happen, but they’re just lessons in disguise. The most successful business owners learn, adapt, and keep moving forward.

Want to be the first to hear how to join our membership community?

👉 Click here to JOIN THE WAITLIST 😀

—--

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources…

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝

👇 And if you enjoyed this episode…

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

In The Next Episode...

Next time, Jon looks ahead and shares what's in store in the coming weeks.

Jon talks with branding expert Vardeep Edwards. They discuss what it takes to build a unique brand in a crowded market. You will learn about the importance of understanding and developing your brand, and how to make a real connection with people. Vardeep shares her experience and gives practical tips on defining your brand identity, creating emotional connections, and using different content types to raise brand visibility. They also touch on the role of AI tools in branding. This episode aims to help small architecture practice owners grow a successful business.

Today's Guest...

Vardeep Edwards is the founder of The Branding Fox - a Brand Development & Design studio dedicated to your brand transformation. She has over twenty years of experience and has worked with the likes of ODEON, Marie Curie, Pentagram & EMAP, helping growing businesses with their branding and design needs. Vardeep believes that creating a brand foundation is crucial for your business to grow. She can help you translate this concept into an impactful and purposeful brand identity so that you have clarity on your brand, your positioning and how to attract your dream clients.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:13 Meet Vardeep Edwards: Branding Expert

03:22 The Importance of Branding

06:18 Defining Your Brand Identity

09:00 Understanding Your Audience

12:44 Bringing Personality to Your Brand

20:10 Content Creation Tips

25:42 Building Emotional Connections

29:59 Raising Brand Visibility

33:33 Integrating Branding into Your Business

37:22 The Role of AI in Branding

41:43 Travel Stories and Conclusion

Key Takeaways...

Understand Your Brand and Audience

You need to be clear about what your brand stands for—its values, identity, and what makes it different. At the same time, it’s just as important to know who your audience is, what they need, and where they spend their time. This understanding helps you create better branding and marketing plans.

Keep Developing Your Brand

Your brand isn’t something you set up once and leave. It’s a process that grows with your business. You should regularly check what’s working, listen to feedback, and adjust as the market changes. This way, your message stays clear and makes sense to your audience.

Build Real Connections Through Content

Sharing real and interesting stories, like behind-the-scenes moments or personal experiences, helps people trust you. Creating content—both long posts and short updates—shows your brand’s personality and message. Use things like social media, interviews, or in-person chats to connect with people and build stronger relationships.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Connect with Vardeep on LinkedIn

Vist Vardeep’s Website – The Branding Fox

—--

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources…

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Join our (free) WhatsApp Discussion Group...

Have you had bad experiences outsourcing your architectural drafting work? Don't give up yet! In this episode Jon talks to Derek Timms about avoiding common outsourcing mistakes and finding the right partner. Derek, a chartered architect with 25 years of experience, shares tips on building long-term, trusted partnerships and the benefits of early planning. Derek also talks about his role as a school governor and the importance of communication and setting clear expectations. If you're a small practice leader or sole practitioner in architecture, this episode will help you understand how to make outsourcing work for you.

Today's Guest...

Derek Timms is a Chartered Architect with 25 years of experience working at practices like Farrells, Gensler, and Sheppard Robson. He’s the Managing Director at The Sourcing Collective - a support studio for the AEC industry. The Sourcing Collective collaborates with surveyors, architects, interior designers, contractors, and property managers, providing architectural drafting support in BIM environments tailored to your systems and processes. This allows you and your in-house team to focus on design and add value to your projects. They also work with AJ100 practices, integrating into their teams across multiple large-scale projects.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Meet Derek Timms and The Sourcing Collective

04:17 Common Outsourcing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

06:49 Finding the Right Outsourcing Partner

10:04 Importance of Clear Communication

11:48 Setting the Right Expectations

16:36 Early Planning and Avoiding Last-Minute Decisions

25:31 Low-Risk Outsourcing Trials

32:54 Final Thoughts on Outsourcing

38:39 Derek's Favorite Travel Destination

41:30 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Key Takeaways...

✅ Think Long-Term

Treat outsourcing like a partnership, not just a one-time job. When you work together over time, you can learn each other's styles and create a smoother way of working that benefits both sides.

✅ Keep Communication Open

Regular updates, even on small things, help everyone stay on track. Good communication builds trust and makes outsourced teams feel like they’re part of your own business.

✅ Plan Ahead

Outsourced teams need time to learn your processes, just like new employees. Avoid last-minute decisions that can lead to rushed results. Early planning gives you better results and a less stressful experience.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Visit Derek’s website (The Sourcing Collective)

Connect with Derek on LinkedIn

—--

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources…

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Join our (free) WhatsApp Discussion Group 🎁

👉 Follow or Connect with Jon on...

Jon chats with Laura Pearman, an expert in personal branding about the importance of personal branding for solo and small firm architecture practice owners. They discuss how you can adapt your personal brand as your business grows. Laura shares tips on how to start and build a strong personal brand, and explains common misconceptions people have about it. They also discuss how external factors like your views on the environment and technology may influence your personal brand. Jon and Laura also share personal stories about their own experiences. Laura shares steps you can take today to align your personal brand with your business goals.

Today's Guest...

Laura Pearman is an internationally recognised Personal Brand Consultant with over a decade of experience helping leaders create impactful and authentic personal brands. Based in the UK, Laura specialises in bespoke strategies, combining creative vision with sharp business acumen. She’s known for her quirky Vintage style, straight-talking Northern charm, and ability to bridge the gap between business owners and creatives. Laura’s work has empowered countless leaders to elevate their authority, embrace their uniqueness, and drive results.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Meet Laura Pearman: Personal Brand Consultant

05:33 Personal Branding Misconceptions

09:11 Challenges for Architects in Personal Branding

15:52 Practical Steps for Personal Branding

23:04 Client Success Stories

29:11 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

39:09 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Key Takeaways...

Your Personal Brand Grows with You

Your personal brand isn’t something you set up once and forget about. It changes as your business and the industry evolve, so you’ll need to keep refining and updating it to stay relevant.

Stay True to Who You Are

The best personal brands feel real and reflect who you truly are. Make sure your brand matches your values and those of your business to create a consistent and relatable image.

Use Research to Guide Your Brand

Good personal branding is based on research. Look into industry trends, key players, and new ideas. Tools like the PESTLE model can help you spot what matters and keep your brand relevant.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Grab Laura’s Personal Branding Checklist 🎁

Connect with Laura on Instragram 🤝

Watch Laura’s YouTube Channel 📹

—--

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources…

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Join our (free) WhatsApp Discussion Group 🎁

👉 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝

👇 And if you enjoyed this...

In this special episode of Architecture Business Club, Jon marks the podcast's one-year anniversary, celebrating 57 episodes. Jon shares his journey of starting the podcast, its initial reception, and future plans. Catch interesting stats about podcast longevity, listener demographics, and download milestones. Jon also reflects on his motivations, lessons learned, and the hard work required to maintain a podcast. He thanks listeners for their support and talks about exciting future guests and projects. Tune in for inspiration and tips on launching your own podcast!

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:28 Podcast Statistics and Achievements

05:24 Why I Started This Podcast

13:55 How I Launched The Podcast

18:47 Launch Day and Early Feedback

23:47 What Happened After The Launch

31:11 The Realities of Podcasting

33:13 Future Guests and Aspirations

35:43 Launching Your Own Podcast: Tips and Advice

40:55 Community and Membership Plans

44:16 Gratitude and Closing Remarks

Key Takeaways...

Starting a Podcast: What to Expect

Starting a podcast takes planning and preparation. You’ll need to learn the tech, face personal fears like public speaking, and stay on top of the workload to produce regular, quality episodes. Setting a launch date, practising with test interviews, and planning ahead can help you feel more confident and ready to hit the ground running.

Growing Your Reach and Building Connections

A podcast can open doors to new opportunities. You might get noticed for awards, or be invited to events and interviews. Hosting or being a guest on podcasts helps you build connections and collaborate with others in your industry, creating chances to grow your practice.

Staying Consistent and Building Community

Running a podcast means sticking with it to keep the content flowing. But it’s about more than episodes—it's about creating a space where people connect. Your podcast becomes a way to build lasting relationships.

—--

Want to be the first to know when we open the doors to our membership community?

👉 Join our Waitlist so you don’t miss out! 😀

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources…

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝

👇 And if you enjoyed this episode…

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

In The Next Episode...

Next time Jon chats with Laura Pearman to explore how you can adapt your personal brand as your business changes.

Jon continues his chat from the previous episode with sales expert Helen Tebay. They discuss practical tips to convert cold leads into hot sales. Helen shares advice on dealing with unresponsive clients and the importance of booking follow-up steps during initial calls. They also cover strategies for getting video testimonials and staying focused during slow periods. Jon shares why proactive outreach and customer-focused communication are so important.

Today's Guest...

Helen Tebay helps service-based business owners like coaches, consultants, and experts to sell and market their businesses. Win more 4 and 5-figure clients faster. Feel better about selling and learn how to sell better.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:20 Dealing with Ghosted Leads

02:18 Booking Follow-Up Calls

04:39 Direct Communication Strategies

09:36 Staying Focused During Slow Months

12:42 Understanding Client Value

14:52 Gathering Client Testimonials

16:17 Leveraging Video Testimonials

24:18 Real and Relatable Marketing

25:48 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

27:17 Favorite Travel Destinations

28:34 Where to Find Helen Online

29:10 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Teaser

Key Takeaways...

Importance of Following Up and Being Clear

You should always schedule a follow-up call straight after your first meeting or sending a proposal. This keeps things moving and stops leads from disappearing. Be clear and direct when reaching out again, whether it’s through an email or a phone call. It helps you get answers and restart any stalled conversations.

Staying Active When Business is Slow

During quiet times, stay focused by taking small but effective steps. Have meaningful chats with potential clients, share helpful advice, or highlight past client wins. Doing things like hosting a live session or posting success stories keeps your name out there and shows you’re still open for business.

Keeping Your Marketing Real

People connect with what’s real. Instead of polished ads or perfect videos, try sharing behind-the-scenes clips or genuine client stories. This shows the true side of your work and helps build trust with new clients who can see what it’s like to work with you.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Connect with Helen on LinkedIn

Visit Helen’s Website

—--

👇 Click the link below to grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the FREE step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers.

https://architecturebusinessclub.com/blueprint

—--

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources…

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Join our (free) WhatsApp Discussion Group 🎁

👉...

Jon and guest Helen Tebay discuss how small architecture firms can overcome a sales slump. They talk about the importance of staying calm, being consistent, and focusing on problem-solving. They share tips on how to re-engage with past clients, use content to answer questions, and look back at successful months to find patterns. Helen also compares sales strategies to dog training, highlighting the need for consistency and the right energy. Tune in for practical advice on getting more sales for your architecture practice!

Today's Guest...

Helen Tebay helps service-based business owners like coaches, consultants, and experts to sell and market their businesses. Win more 4 and 5-figure clients faster. Feel better about selling and learn how to sell better.

Episode Highlights...

00:00 Introduction

01:48 Dog Training and Sales Parallels

04:14 Staying Calm During Sales Slumps

06:52 Analysing Past Successes

13:22 Reconnecting with Past Clients

20:36 Creative Marketing Strategies

24:54 Quick Sales Tips for Architects

29:10 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Key Takeaways...

Staying Calm and Solving Problems When Sales Drop:

If sales slow down, try not to worry. Instead of panicking, look back at what worked well before. Think about what actions and mindsets led to good sales times. Staying calm and focused on solutions will help you handle slow sales periods better.

Reconnecting with Past Clients:

Reaching out to past clients or leads is a good way to get new sales quickly. A follow-up message can remind them of your work and bring them back. Personal messages, like checking in or suggesting new services, can make them feel valued and more likely to return.

Showing Value and Easing Client Worries:

Help clients feel more comfortable by sharing helpful info. Create videos or articles that answer common questions or show what to expect in the architecture process. Showing successful projects and sharing client stories can also help build trust and show that your services are worth it.

Links Mentioned In The Episode...

Connect with Helen on LinkedIn

Visit Helen’s Website

—--

Interested in working with Jon?

👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞

Resources…

👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁

It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).

👉 Join our (free) WhatsApp Discussion Group 🎁

👉 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝

👇 And if you enjoyed this episode…

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

In The Next Episode...

You can hear Part 2 of my conversation with Helen in the next episode.