Nestled in the serene surroundings of Canandaigua, New York, Valerie Puchades serves as the Director of Strategic Planning at AVEC.

Inside the Firm’s Alex Gore and AVEC’s Rena Klein, FAIA, discuss a range of topics covering architecture firm valuation, what it means to share ownership, buying into a firm, and her “greatest hits” of advice for small architecture firm leaders.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Carlos Valle brings a rich blend of artistic leadership and graphic design expertise to the team, cultivated over more than a decade.

A great name isn’t just a label; it’s a strategic tool that can shape your firm’s success and identity for years to come. This week on the EntreArchitect Podcast (Episode 591), I sat down with Emily Hall, President of AVEC, to dive deep into the art and strategy behind naming an architecture business.

From starting her own practice in the mid-80s to grappling with the complexities of managing a firm, our guest offers invaluable insights into the business side of architecture. She reflects on the struggle against the profession's historical aversion to business acumen.