Anthony Amenta is a Founding Member and Principal at Amenta Emma Architects, a full-service architecture firm headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, with branch offices in New York and Boston. Approaching 40 years in business, Anthony has led his firm through a landscape of changes, ensuring growth and market resilience. Under his guidance, Amenta Emma has cultivated a reputation for creating inspiring spaces and building strong client relationships. Episode Summary: In this episode of "Design Development," host Rens Hayes sits down with Anthony Amenta, the seasoned architecture professional whose almost four decades in the business offer a wealth of industry insights. Rens and Anthony explore the entrepreneurial journey of establishing and growing a successful architecture firm in changing markets. Anthony discusses Amenta Emma's beginnings, their mission to create inspiring spaces, and the strategic expansion to new cities like New York and Boston. With a deep dive into geographic expansion, business development, and company culture, the conversation uncovers lessons on client concentration risk, navigating recessions, and the power of personal connections in business growth endeavors. Establishing A Firm: Anthony reflects on the early days of Amenta Emma, revealing the strategies and challenges they faced initiating their business in Hartford.Growth and Expansion: The episode delves into the firm's growth, including the strategic decisions leading to their geographic expansion to Boston and New York.Key Takeaways: Insights into the entrepreneurial journey of starting and growing an architecture firm, highlighting the significance of building relationships and adapting to market changes.Lessons on managing client concentration risk and the importance of diversifying projects to ensure firm stability and longevity.The strategic approach to geographic expansion, emphasizing the need to understand local markets and build networks.The impact of a company's culture on employee satisfaction and client relations, and the ongoing need to challenge and provide growth opportunities for team members.The value of mentorship in business development and the importance of continuous learning within an organization.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend. Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go! Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show! Design Development Podcast! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube Find out more at https://www.hayesoneill.com/podcast