I quit architecture, making twice my previous income in less than a year! Here’s how you could do it too.

Hey friends,

"How can I quit Architecture 9-5 and do my own thing?" is one of the most popular questions I get. There are valid reasons why so many people ask this question.

While in architecture school, we practise designing many interesting projects, learning how to address many of our societal challenges, and more. In architecture practice, we are often pigeonholed into doing duties that have little to do with what we learned in university.

In London, the median salary for a part 2 architectural assistant is from £25,480 to £30,127 per year.

As a result, many graduates are desperate to find alternate ways to put their degree to use.

In this newsletter, I would like to introduce you to some time-sensitive ideas that can get your out of your 9-to-5 job, like it did for me!

Embrace new technology.

There are a million ways that new technology can help the architecture business become more efficient and sustainable. Unfortunately, the entire sector suffers from a variety of difficulties, ranging from profitability to environmental sustainability to staying relevant!

Architecture has become increasingly a luxury service for the small percentage of people who can afford it, therefore, it's no surprise that architects create less than 2% of the world's buildings!

Technologies like AI have enormous potential for delivering significant changes to low-performing industries like architecture, which is why we see many startups being launched on a regular basis that use AI to address one of these challenges.

However, it is critical to remember that, while these technologies will result in many new businesses emerging and possibly changing the way Architects operate, the most innovative and economically sound companies will emerge within a limited timeframe, which is no more than another two years. The market is so fresh right now that it is a hundred times easier to invent, establish a firm, and discover the best clients than it will be in two years when the market will be flooded with startups and new companies looking to alter the industry with the help of AI.

Become an expert

To truly succeed in this important period, one must be fully aware of what is happening in terms of new technological advancements that can assist us in the Architecture sector. It is critical to take courses, read articles, and watch YouTube videos that help with a thorough dive into the subject!

Invest in building your audience

Investing in one's network and audience is similar to investing in one's knowledge and wealth!

Today's world revolves around who knows you and who knows you! It is now a million times easier to reach a huge audience than it was previously, thanks to advances in technology and social media.

You can do this by adding value and sharing knowledge through Youtube videos, Instagram posts, LinkedIn posts, or even tweets! And trust me, not only people will thank you for that but they will also get to know you and your expertise better and approach you for work or busying your services.

Build your clientele

If you've done all of the above steps, it's time to start building your clientele through your network, your audience, and by not being hesitant to offer your services to others.

If you have built a good audience by offering value to people and sharing expertise, there is a decent probability that some people have found your work fascinating and approached you to discuss projects. Or, at the very least, you have a reputation for your public image that you can use to promote yourself and your services to people who might be interested in you. That could be through advertisements, creating relationships with people, or a variety of other methods.

Once you've completed your first few tasks, it's time to expand your business by asking your clients to refer you to at least two individuals in their network and to continue investing in word-of-mouth marketing!

Congrats! You are now a successful business owner 🙂

I have myself set foot in each of the above steps, including the first ones, while I was already working in an architecture office! I started making time in the weekends to research, create content, and add value to my audience through Youtube videos until I made myself part-time and then gradually was able to quit and work full-time on my own businesses.

So if you find yourself in a similar position, take baby steps one at a time but never doubt that what you will achieve at the end is much greater than you will think!

I hope you enjoyed reading this issue from Sunday’s Pivotpoint and I can’t wait to write to you next week!

Amir xx

---

❤️My Favourite Things

🎙️Podcast - Meet The Marketing Genius Behind Steven Bartlett - I found such profound value in this one-hour conversation about marketing and I hope you do too!

📍Things to do In London - Christmas at Kew - Not happy with merely being the record holder for having the largest collection of living plants in a single botanic garden (it’s official, just ask Guinness), Kew Gardens apparently also wants the prize for non-living showstoppers, too. Which is why they’re once again transforming an entire 2.7km stretch of the grounds into an almost unfeasibly magical, after-hours, mulled-wine toting festive woodland light trail. Expect twinkling light tunnels, forests glowing in enchanting hues, and glittering LED-studded installations that sit on a reflective water pool…