The Mindset Shift That Saved His Firm

End chaos in your firm—300+ peers use this framework. Free video here: https://www.businessofarchitecture.com/framework When Drew Pedrick started his architecture firm, he didn’t follow the usual rules. No office. A global team. A deep focus on meaning, not just design. In this episode, Drew shares the mindset shift that helped him build a profitable, values-driven practice from the ground up. Host Enoch Sears digs into how Drew balances creativity and business, and what most architects get very wrong about profit. They talk about staying aligned without an office, building strong partnerships, and what it really means to run a “conscious” firm. This conversation is honest, bold, and full of unexpected lessons for any architect ready to stop playing small. In this episode, you’ll discover: The surprising structure behind a firm that looks freeform Why most architects’ “budgeting system” guarantees stress and burnout How to protect your peace—and your profit—before the first client call Tune in and rethink how architecture can work. To learn more about Drew, visit his website: https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/ 00:00 Intro 03:42 Half Million Square Foot Project: How Drew Stayed On Time & On Budget 07:15 The Night I Almost Filed for Bankruptcy 11:28 Why Profit First Changed Everything for Our Firm 14:33 The 15% Project Profitability Formula That Actually Works 18:45 From 55,000 People to 18: Building a Global Architecture Firm 22:17 Why We Stopped Chasing LEED Certifications 25:50 How Asana Transformed Our Remote Team Operations 29:34 The Client That Nearly Destroyed My First Firm 33:12 Why I Tore Down Everything I Built 36:48 "You're Not Filing for Bankruptcy... Here's What's Worse" 40:25 How My First Client Found Me After Leaving AECOM 43:56 The $1 Million Test That Changed My Career Path 47:38 Why Remote Teams Beat Physical Offices Every Time 51:20 12 Years With My First Hire: How It Started