When I decided years ago that I was going to take a leap of faith and start my own residential and commercial design firm, the first thing out of one person’s mouth was, “Are you crazy?” Looking back, they were probably right. It was no secret that I knew the ins and outs of architecture. It came naturally to me, and many clients considered me their go-to designer.
But what, if anything, did I know about running my own company? I promise you that it wasn’t a lot.
That was 30 years ago. The ML Group has since positioned itself as one of the leading design firms in the country and has built lasting relationships that include volume, custom, and commercial builders. More importantly, we are committed to the client.
Now, I’m not going to suggest I know everything about being a business owner, but after 30 years, clearly, something is working. We’ve all learned through sacrifice, hard work, mistakes, and the ebb and flow of the economy.
So how did we get here? Here are 7 secrets to longevity in business that work:
- Diversify your client portfolio, so you’re never reliant on one area or style
- Know your priorities, even as they change over time. Commit to your mission, vision, and values
- Demonstrate unwavering perseverance, maintain the same work ethic as the day you first started
- Know the pulse of your client base. Understand what they want and need
- Be willing to make sacrifices
- Have a family support structure that gives you encouragement, insight, and the ability to talk through your successes as well as your struggles
- Have faith. Without this one factor, nothing else on this list would matter
If you love what you do, and you surround yourself with the right people, you are destined to succeed.
This blog was written by ML Group and originally published as an article in the July 2018 issue of Argyle Living magazine.