Apostrophe Consulting

On Tuesday, December 10th from 12:00 Noon - 1:30 PM we’ll be offering AIA North Carolina memebers access to a repeat workshop that will follow a similar but modified structure to our sold out workshop that happened last month at the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit. Join us for: Transforming Practice: Leading Change Within Your Firm 1.5 LU Hours Online Zoom Webinar Leading organizations through change is essential for adapting to market dynamics, fostering sustainable growth, enhancing employee engagement, driving innovation, improving client satisfaction, managing risks, increasing operational efficiency, building resilience, and aligning culture with strategic goals. In this interactive workshop—designed for mid- to senior-level leaders—you’ll learn how to efficiently and effectively lead and transform your architecture firm amid change. You’ll develop solutions for leading change through a mix of theory, practical strategies, and real-world examples, while addressing common challenges like communication barriers, limited resources, and resistance—all informed by research from HBR and IDEO. By the end, you’ll gain insight and inspiration to lead your firms through growth and organizational change—fostering continuous improvement and innovation. Registration required AIA Members: https://lnkd.in/e9FBvYrs Non Members: https://lnkd.in/e3pEu47v

As this series celebrating five years concludes, we want to thank everyone who has supported Apostrophe Consulting’s journey and followed along with our story. Your trust and encouragement have made these past five years genuinely impactful. When we launched in 2019, we set out to offer something different. We designed our practice from the ground up with the intention of bridging the gaps we noticed in practice. The value to our clients is a strategic, empathetic approach that aligns solutions with their unique needs, resulting in stronger team dynamics, clearer growth opportunities, and adaptability to industry change. We're helping firms design-forward on new ideas inside their organizations. Our dual perspective—from real-world project experience to executive leadership insights—inspired our pursuit of fresh ideas and innovative solutions that break the norm. We take a people-first approach. Apostrophe Consulting remains committed to offering a forward-looking problem-solving approach to firm management. We’re excited to continue fostering growth, driving the industry forward, and creating meaningful change through each studio in collaboration with talented leaders.

Partnering with over 30 AEC firms across 17 states has enriched our understanding of the industry, and positioned us as leaders who know how to help clients grow their teams and businesses. This diverse experience enables us to offer informed, tailored solutions that meet each client’s unique needs while providing helpful guidance on trends, barriers, and opportunities. Blending our research from the business world with a focus on the AEC business model, our clients benefit from a well-rounded, strategic approach that empowers them to navigate challenges, stay agile, and thrive in an evolving and competitive market.

Volunteerism and leadership are foundational to who we are. Our contributions to AEC nonprofits extend well before our consulting practice began, and each of our team members has been active volunteers throughout their careers. Since our official launch, Apostrophe Consulting has participated in 15 AIA component programs and partnered with 6 nonprofit organizations. From advocating for architects on Capitol Hill to developing programs that support AEC talent, we’re proud of these partnerships. We continue to design programs focused on professional development and business education. Together, we demonstrate how collective efforts drive meaningful industry change and make a lasting impact in the communities we serve.

In our mission to uplift purpose-driven businesses and?redesign workplace environments, we’ve dedicated a portion of our work to supporting?women-owned and led design practices. So far, we’ve partnered with?seven incredible firms, helping them navigate industry challenges and grow their companies. It’s inspiring to hear these leaders’ stories and witness their passion for their work. Their journeys underscore the importance of celebrating female leadership and the opportunity to rethink workplace norms, creating environments and systems that support the diverse needs of women in practice. A quote from one of our 100% women-owned businesses: “Apostrophe Consulting boldly and compassionately empowers architecture firms to thrive in this new era through practice innovation, ensuring our profession’s long-term relevance and prosperity." Check out this super graphic over at: https://lnkd.in/eSRxQSFU (and follow along for more adventures)

In just five years, we’ve had the honor of supporting over 300 leaders nationwide. From senior executives to emerging talents, we’ve provided coaching, business frameworks, and insights to help each leader grow and succeed. Every success story is a testimony to the power of collaboration and community, and we are honored to have played a part in their professional development journeys!

This month marks five incredible years of Apostrophe Consulting! From ambitious beginnings to today, we’re celebrating our 5-year journey of empowering leaders, supporting women-owned businesses, and pushing the architecture and design industry forward. Join us over the next few days as we highlight some key milestones that have defined our path and purpose. Thank you for being part of our story! Graphics by the talented Yea Eun Hwang.

Since launching our small, women-owned consulting practice we’ve proudly dedicated a percentage of our work towards supporting up and coming women-owned architecture & design startups. Last night we celebrated Wyn Design Co., a 100% women-owned, District of Columbia-based interior and architectural design firm. Partners Sarah Wahlgren Wingo and Ashley Kirkland, NCIDQ welcomed VIPs to an Appreciation Party at one of their recently completed projects located at the base of Midtown Center. The milestone marks three years in business, a brand new logo, and a fresh website. The duo is on track to grow substantially as a premier boutique commercial, hospitality, and residential practice in DC. Congratulations on three years Sarah & Ashley!! ??????

Next week, our founder, Je'Nen Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA, will be leading an interactive workshop at the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit 2024 in Chicago. ?? Session: Breakthrough Leadership: Transforming Your Firm Amidst Change ?? Date/Time: 10/08/24, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM In this workshop—tailored for mid- to senior-level architects—participants will explore practical strategies for leading and transforming their firms in the face of change. Through a mix of leadership theory, actionable strategies, and real-world examples, you’ll gain insights to: ?? Overcome communication barriers ?? Lead with limited resources ?? Navigate resistance to change Je’Nen will share research-backed tools from top business management resources to help you guide your firm through growth, fostering continuous innovation and improvement. Looking forward to connecting with architects ready to lead the way! ?? #AIAWLS #LeadershipDevelopment #ChangeLeadership #Architecture #BusinessManagement #Innovation

Are you traveling to the?AIA Aspire Conference?next week? We'll see you there! If we don't run into you on our way to/from the keynotes and receptions, you'll find Apostrophe Consulting at: Meet on the Move The Venue-Market/Mezzanine 21 N. Market St. Asheville, NC 28801 Monday, September 16, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM You can also contact Je'Nen Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA or Megan Bowles directly to schedule a time to chat. We'd love to share what we've been up to. Get the full conference schedule at: https://aspirexp.com/