Working with us over 3-5 years is the ideal relationship, and where we see firms make the most sustainable progress. Our whole systems approach means we roll up our sleeves to strategize, advise, and execute on what needs to happen next. Knowing your resources are limited, we step in to fill the gaps. This is the exact right help, exactly when and where you need it.

AVEC’s business assessment gives you an expert, third-party analysis of your design firm’s performance in finance, operations, marketing, business development, leadership, and firm culture.

We‘ve assessed more than 100 architecture, landscape architecture, interiors, and design-build firms. The process identifies your firm’s strengths and weaknesses, provides data-based observations, and delivers recommendations for both short and long-term solutions to improve your business performance. Learn more.

We’ll start with the fundamentals: where your firm is headed and why–helping to clarify business strategy–whether that means refining your focus, entering a new market, or expanding services in a way that better supports profitability and capacity. We look closely at your competitive landscape and fee structures so you’re not just winning work, but winning the right work—at fees that reflect your value. The goal isn’t growth for growth’s sake, it’s alignment between ambition, opportunity, and day-to-day reality. Learn more.

We replace gut checks with insight by building financial models and forecasts that help firm leaders test scenarios before committing to them, understand risk, and make informed investments in people and growth. Whether it’s budgeting, long-range planning, or due diligence for a potential merger or acquisition, we translate numbers into decisions—without turning your firm into a spreadsheet exercise.

We help firms move from “heroics” to systems that work even on the hardest weeks. Through process mapping, benchmarking, and KPI development, we identify where projects and teams get stuck—and where small changes can unlock real efficiency. The result is clearer workflows, fewer surprises, and leadership teams who finally have visibility into how the firm is performing.

Team AVEC supports firm founders embarking on ownership and leadership transition. Be it internal succession, merger, acquisition, or even firm closure, we’ll help you plan for your firm’s future.

Our approach balances the needs of everyone involved to arrive at a transition blueprint that clarifies expectations, demystifies the process, and sets the stage for the ongoing success of your firm. Learn more.

We support firms as they evolve their structure, develop future leaders, and intentionally shape culture rather than letting it drift. That can include leadership coaching, workforce planning, ownership transition support, or helping teams navigate change with more clarity. We’re especially attuned to the moments firms don’t always plan for—growth spurts, generational shifts, and leadership transitions—and we help make those moments feel manageable instead of overwhelming.

A thoughtful strategy only works if there’s a clear tactical plan behind it, so we’ll work closely with you to build marketing plans tied directly to your business goals.

Our marketing specialists conduct brand audits and messaging assessments to help refine mission, vision, and value proposition statements. 

Then we focus on turning marketing momentum into meaningful relationships. AVEC works with firm leaders to develop clear, achievable business development strategies and the systems needed to support them, building processes that make opportunities visible, trackable, and actionable across the firm.

The AVEC creative team builds deeply meaningful brand identities designed to quickly connect who you really are, with the clients you really want. After an immersive discovery process, you’ll work closely with our team of strategists, writers, and designers to develop everything you need to put your best foot forward. Learn more.