Flying Solo with Katie Kangas

Form Follows Flight

In this episode of Flying Solo, host Katie Kangas explores the many ways architects define their practice and how those paths shift when working independently. It starts by questioning the traditional roles in the profession—are architects problem-solvers, designers, preservationists, or business leaders? In truth, the answer is “all of the above.” Drawing from her own journey, Katie reflects on how the skills of an architect extend far beyond design to include marketing, client management, contracts, and the realities of running a business. This wide range of responsibilities becomes even more pronounced when you’re flying solo.Katie then introduces the triangle of traditional practice, a familiar model where principals lead, project managers coordinate, and emerging professionals execute the day-to-day work. Drawing on Rena Klein’s An Architect’s Guide to Small Firm Management, she outlines three staffing models: the obtuse triangle of efficiency, the balanced equilateral triangle, and the expertise-driven narrow triangle. While these structures provide stability, what might happen if instead of being grounded in tradition, an architect could adapt and fly. Solopreneurs aren’t confined by hierarchy—they shape their practices around their own strengths, visions, and goals.Through vivid bird metaphors, Katie illustrates how solo architects carve their niches. Some resemble songbirds, thriving on referrals and moving fluidly from project to project. Others adopt the flair of peacocks, cultivating a distinct style that attracts clients through visibility and recognition. Still others build expertise like toucans breaking through the tough shells of RFPs, or herons who know their geography and seize opportunities when they surface. Specialists might fly like hummingbirds, bringing a light but brilliant touch to many projects, or like falcons, honing in on a single project type with fierce focus. Each bird archetype reflects a different path for shaping a solo practice.Katie concludes by encouraging listeners to consider their own flight path. Flying solo means deciding what strengths to leverage, what clients to serve, and what projects to pursue. With that clarity comes faster decisions, clearer referrals, and a stronger direction for growth. As she reminds listeners, “form follows flight”—and there is no single way to practice architecture. The possibilities are as limitless as the sky, and this podcast offers stories and strategies to inspire architects to shape practices that are both sustainable and deeply personal.To join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website. Listen to more encouraging content on the Gabl Media platform including podcasts with CEU and HSW credit towards your licensure renewal. Consider joining the EntreArchitect Network by becoming a member or joining the free EntreArchitect Community Facebook Group. Mark R. Page, founder of EntreArchitect and Gabl Media, has been building a community of small firm architects who are having tough conversations to improve their professional practice and live their best life every day.

Vin Minkler (Puffin)

In this episode of Flying Solo, host Katie Kangas sits down with New Jersey architect Vin Minkler, who has spent nearly a decade refining his solo practice. Vin has shaped his business around serving middle-class clients through smaller residential projects, managing dozens of remodels and additions at a time. Like a puffin—diving into the waves and catching multiple fish with its serrated beak—Vin keeps a tight hold on every project while balancing efficiency, quality, and client engagement.Throughout the conversation, Vin shares the systems that allow him to manage such a high volume of work without losing focus on what matters most: his clients. He emphasizes the power of keeping things simple, leaning on tools like a whiteboard to track projects at a glance, and maintaining a running record of past zoning and code research to build on prior work. His “KISS” approach—Keep it Simple, Silly—reminds solo practitioners that even with repetitive projects, it’s essential to find one anchor point that keeps the design process personal and connected. For Vin, redrawing the building section provides that meaningful touchpoint.Katie highlights three key takeaways from Vin’s practice: the importance of visible, low-tech systems like a whiteboard; the value of documenting past research to streamline future work; and the discipline of staying connected to the unique conditions of each project. Vin communicates promptly to clients because, “It’s better to say something than to say nothing.” While not every architect is built to manage dozens of projects simultaneously, Vin’s puffin-like persistence demonstrates how thoughtful systems and clear values can create a lean, client-focused practice. His insights offer inspiration for solopreneurs looking to balance structure, efficiency, and meaningful design in their own work.Minkler Architecture & DesignWebsite: www.minklerarchitecture.comInstagram: @minklerarchitecturewww.facebook.com/MinklerArchitectureandDesignTo join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website. Listen to more encouraging content on the Gabl Media platform including podcasts with CEU and HSW credit towards your licensure renewal. Consider joining the EntreArchitect Network by becoming a member or joining the free EntreArchitect Community Facebook Group. Mark R. Page, founder of EntreArchitect and Gabl Media, has been building a community of small firm architects who are having tough conversations to improve their professional practice and live their best life every day.

Tiersa Wodash (Heron)

In this episode of Flying Solo, host Katie Kangas speaks with Duluth-based architect and solopreneur Tiersa Wodash, founder of Brick and Mortar. Tiersa has built her practice around helping small business owners navigate the complexities of opening their own physical spaces. Like a heron standing still in the water, she has immersed herself in her community, observing the needs of entrepreneurs and waiting for just the right opportunities to step in and help. Her approach centers on sustainability, collaboration, and client education, with the goal of making architecture more approachable for those launching new ventures.Tiersa and Katie discuss how centering a practice around a specialty can create both clarity and opportunity. By following the entrepreneurial journey of her ideal clients, Tiersa discovered unmet needs and designed services that serve her ideal clients earlier in the process. One example is her Building Matchmaker Profile, a tool that helps entrepreneurs assess potential spaces before signing a lease—bridging the gap between real estate decisions and design. Alongside tools like this, Tiersa emphasizes the importance of building relationships through networking, pursuing grant opportunities, and refining client communication. These strategies position her not just as an architect, but as a trusted resource.Katie highlights three key takeaways from Tiersa’s practice: the power of specializing in a clearly defined client group, the impact of creating service packages that solve specific problems, and the value of moving upstream to connect with clients earlier in their journey. Read more about thinking ‘upstream’ in Dan Heath’s book Upstream. Whether through in-person networking, community presentations, or online resources, Tiersa demonstrates how architects can use education and visibility to become thought leaders in their niche. Tiersa’s story shows how aligning personal passions with community needs can create a deeply rewarding practice—one that helps clients feel empowered while strengthening the role of architects in everyday life. Read more about this marketing strategy in the Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns.Brick and MortarWebsite: www.brickandmortar.designInstagram: @brick.and.mortar.designTo join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website. Listen to more encouraging content on the Gabl Media platform including podcasts with CEU and HSW credit towards your licensure renewal. Consider joining the EntreArchitect Network by becoming a member or joining the free EntreArchitect Community Facebook Group. Mark R. Page, founder of EntreArchitect and Gabl Media, has been building a community of small firm architects who are having tough conversations to improve their professional practice and live their best life every day.

Angela Boersma (Dipper)

In this episode of Flying Solo, host Katie Kangas speaks with Angie Boersma, founder of ID8. Angie has shaped her practice to be unapologetically rural—rooted in the needs of small towns and built on the belief that architecture alone isn’t enough to create lasting change. As an intentional generalist, she draws on a wide range of skills, from interior design to civic leadership, local legislation, and financing. By stepping beyond the traditional architect’s role, she has been able to help rural communities bring ambitious projects to completion while also influencing the systems that govern them.Angie’s approach mirrors the American Dipper, a songbird that sings while diving into turbulent waters. In the same way, she has immersed herself in disciplines outside of design, whether by serving on planning boards, learning the nuances of financing, or stepping into construction management. These experiences gave her insight into the priorities of regulators, funders, and decision-makers—insight that now shapes her practice. Her story is a reminder that architects can broaden their impact by stepping into adjacent roles, even temporarily, to strengthen both their projects and their communities.Katie highlights three takeaways from Angie’s practice: first, the importance of diving in to roles beyond design, whether in regulation, financing, or construction, to bring projects forward with greater clarity and influence. Second, the value of embracing the seasons—taking on these roles for a period of time without letting them consume your practice. And finally, the resilience that comes from building a rounded practice—using a generalist approach to diversify services, adapt to economic cycles, and meet the unique needs of rural communities. Angie’s path shows how architects can let their voices be heard, carve new opportunities, and make an enduring impact by daring to dive outside their element.ID8Website: www.id8arc.com/Instagram/Facebook/LinkedIn: @id8architecturePinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/id8arc/To join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website. Listen to more encouraging content on the Gabl Media platform including podcasts with CEU and HSW credit towards your licensure renewal. Consider joining the EntreArchitect Network by becoming a member or joining the free EntreArchitect Community Facebook Group. Mark R. Page, founder of EntreArchitect and Gabl Media, has been building a community of small firm architects who are having tough conversations to improve their professional practice and live their best life every day.

Darguin Fortuna (Swan)

In this episode of Flying Solo, host Katie Kangas talks with Darguin Fortuna, founder of Flow Design, about the journey from feeling like an ugly duckling in other firms to becoming a fully fledged swan leading his own practice. Early in his career, Darguin struggled to find a place where he belonged, migrating from one workplace to another in search of a supportive environment. When he finally launched Flow Design, he not only created a space where he could thrive, but also welcomed others who had felt out of place in traditional firms. Now, as a bevy of swans, his team members take turns leading projects, each empowered to spread their wings while supported by the strength of the flock.Katie and Darguin explore three core elements that define Flow Design. The first is empathy and empowerment. Darguin reflects on the lessons learned from his time in other firms, carrying forward the strengths while intentionally addressing what was missing. At Flow, every team member is given the chance to lead their own projects while still benefiting from the support of the group. Like swans flying in formation, they share the workload so that no one flies alone. The second is strong systems. Just as the lead swan in a wedge formation reduces the headwinds for those who follow, Darguin has developed systems that make project management smoother and more efficient. One example is Flow’s client onboarding system, which uses YouTube videos to guide clients step by step through the design process. These tools not only set clear expectations but also free the team to focus on creative, client-centered design.Finally, Darguin emphasizes the importance of allowing flow within the structure of practice. At Flow Design, checkpoints keep everyone aligned, but in between, each team member has the freedom to guide their clients and design in their own way. Much like swans pausing on lakes during migration, the team balances structure with flexibility, ensuring that every project reflects both consistency and individuality. For architects building their own practices, Darguin’s story is a reminder that if you don’t fit in with another flock, you can migrate—or even create your own. By combining strategic systems, humility, and empowerment, Flow Design shows how to build a culture where architects and clients alike can spread their wings and thrive.Flow Design ArchitectsWebsite: https://www.flow-design-studio.com/architecture Instagram: @mr.fortunaflow & @flowdesignarchitectsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@flowdesignarchitects?si=1yZCEeIYBNsn2Ly2 To join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website. Listen to more encouraging content on the Gabl Media platform including podcasts with CEU and HSW credit towards your licensure renewal. Consider joining the EntreArchitect Network by becoming a member or joining the free EntreArchitect Community Facebook Group. Mark R. Page, founder of EntreArchitect and Gabl Media, has been building a community of small firm architects who are having tough conversations to improve their professional practice and live their best life every day.