War stories - Letters: keeping those cards, letters, and e-mails coming - Letter to the Editor

Residential Architect, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Clare Montechio

I love your magazine. It's full of great articles, and I always clip at least one article to keep for future reference. However, I have a bone to pick with you. As much as I love residential architect I want to see more articles on people starting firms.

My partner and I have been in business for almost four years and we're not sure if the trouble and tribulation we're going through is typical or abnormal. (Even in the June 2002 issue, the firm you called "up-and-coming" ["Rising Star," page 58] had a partner who has been in business for more than 20 years.) I would love to read about how average people get their business going. Anyone who didn't go the typical route--work for a name firm and then steal clients, or work for a name firm and then teach--would be a bonus.

I think you're going to have a hard time finding these people, but I hope you're up to the challenge. We young firms need this.

Clare Montechio

Red Maple Workshop Architecture

Petaluma, Calif.

The editor replies: An excellent idea. Readers: If any of you are running start-up firms of two to five years, let us hear from you. See the "From the Editor" column on page 13 for my contact information.