Here's a behind-the-scenes look at a 9-year-old architecture firm in the Northeast, as told by their President. The firm has 15 full time employees (plus 5 flex team members). Their work focuses on industrial process facilities like breweries with labs and offices.

Ownership Structure:

It's a Single Owner LLC. However, I've shared ~30% as equity interests, which have value if acquired but give up no ownership.

Office Situation:

We use a large co-working space with folks aligned to sustainable goals.

Salary:

I take less salary than the 4 other principals. If we have a good year then I get the same. When we share profits (after bonuses and adding money in the bank) it is split equally between myself and the company.

My salary has been up and down. It's important to be careful of the structure with your principals. They will often work incentives to their favor (as will all people) and perform with enlightened self interest.

Work/life balance:

It's not good but my mission comes from my work. I love my company's focus and my kids are grown.

Debt:

We have no debt. We do have a line of credit we have not used (which costs us some $$).

For credit cards, AMEX has good travel insurance. But I shifted to Chase to get some separated work/personal cards. I wanted a card that gave rental car insurance, which is otherwise a ripoff.

Revenue & Profit:

Over the last 12 months, we've generated $3.5M - $3.8M million in revenue.

Typically, our revenue rises 25% per year. 2025 was our first flat year as all projects stalled in Q1 and Q2 as people tried to figure out what was going on in US (we do manufacturing adjacent projects).

In good years, our post-tax profit is 7-9%. In poor years, it's 3-6%. Since it's a Single Owner LLC, the business is highly taxed but only once.

Best & Worst Expense:

We have a sustainable transportation expense allowance. Folks can use it for bikes, subway passes, EV chargers, and anything loosely defined as sustainable. I always hated people getting subsidized to drive cars with free parking. So when I started my own business I went the other way :)

Worst expense is liability insurance at about $18k a year.

Savings & Investments:

We try to build up a 3-6 month cushion but struggle to get there. In my own personal account I have another 2 months in cash/CD's but I don't want to ever put in back into firm.

I think if we generated zero revenue for 3 or 4 months, we'd simply shut down.

#1 Financial Goal:

Long-term stability beyond the founder(s). Equity is being shared and we have most of the parts in place. We also have strong marketing and outreach but we lack a second or third strong rainmaker who can get out there in the world. That is what keeps us form sailing along without worry.

Biggest Mistake:

At the start, our setup rewarded billing work over finding work. I evolved into an unpaid salesperson. Adding a mix of junior and mid-level staff fixed this.

Book Recommendations:

The Founder's Dilemma, Profit First, and The Hard Thing about Hard Things.

Final Nugget:

Our core internal value is that we'd like to create the company we would like to all work for. Nothing is more satisfying. Especially when it is mission-aligned and important to be very fair to our clients. In the end, it's one of the best things I have done.