In this week's podcast episode, we're diving into the journey of an architect whose love for design was sparked at the tender age of five, watching ‘This Old House.' A particular episode that featured a tour of a construction site, where an architect explained the house restoration process, proved a defining moment in his life.
David graduated high school in 2007, a time when the internet was not as flush with information about careers in architecture. The ambiguous path to becoming an architect left him figuring things out himself, but fortunately, his high school offered a few related classes.
He began his higher education studying engineering but soon transferred to Kent State University to pursue architectural studies and construction management. Initially, David believed this undergraduate degree would propel him towards licensure, but he soon discovered the need for a graduate degree.
Post-graduation, the job market proved unfruitful, leading him to move back to Pittsburgh, joining his family and securing a job there. With a two-hour daily commute, David lived with his parents, focused on studying in his spare time, and channeled his income into student loan repayments.
After two years of professional experience, he found himself unemployed, coincidentally just as he completed his IDP hours and passed his final exams. His architectural license now in hand, but jobless, he navigated through a local home builder company stint, to high-rise projects in Dallas, before venturing into entrepreneurship.
However, a global pandemic brought another round of layoffs, leading David back to Pittsburgh. His resilience shone through as he navigated these challenges, and ultimately began his own business. In this week's episode, you'll learn how David landed his first clients, his savvy use of Instagram for business promotion, and what's on the horizon for his practice, including passive income strategies.
Stay tuned, because David's story is as insightful as it is inspirational.
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