Best Tyler Suomala Podcasts (2025)

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154: Navigating Career Growth from Project Architect to Principal w/ David Tabenken, Principal at Hacin 48:23

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3h ago48:23

48:23

David Tabenken is a seasoned architect and principal at Hacin, a renowned architectural design firm. With over two decades of experience in the field, David has worked on a diverse range of projects, including urban design and campus planning at Carnegie Mellon University and influential interior design endeavors like the restaurant Myers and Chang…

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Retention Secrets Every Architecture Leader Should Know (with Caitlin Brady) 36:28

7d ago36:28

36:28

#40: Today I’m joined by Caitlin Brady, architect and host of the Architectette podcast, to unpack a headache most firm owners share: you’ve got good people, but limited rungs on the ladder. How do you keep ambitious talent engaged when you can’t promote everyone every year? Caitlin’s worked in 15–17 person studios and at giant corporations, and sh…

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153: Building High-Performing Teams and Navigating Growth in Architecture with James Gray, Senior Principal Stantec 58:05

3d ago58:05

58:05

James Gray is a seasoned architect and Senior Principal at Stantec, a leading global design and consulting firm. With a career spanning over three decades, he has been instrumental in leading significant growth and transitions in the architecture and construction industry. Starting at AD Inc., James cultivated a successful trajectory which eventual…

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Fixing Your Architecture Education (with Beth Lundell Garver) 42:51

13d ago42:51

42:51

#39: In this episode, I sit down with Beth Lundell Garver, Dean of Practice at the Boston Architectural College (BAC), to dig into one of the most common complaints in the industry: “We never learned business in school.” Beth brings a rare perspective. She’s not only working inside academia, she’s actively redesigning what architecture education lo…

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152: Redefining Design: The Evolution of the Architect as Developer with Jonathan Segal, Founder CEO of Segal Design Build 40:34

6d ago40:34

40:34

Jonathan Segal is a highly accomplished architect, developer, and educator known for his integrative approach to real estate development. With nearly four decades of experience, he successfully operates Segal Design Build, overseeing comprehensive projects from architecture to development and construction. Renowned for his innovative "Architect as …

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151: From Ground Zero to Global Reach with Kevin Kennon, Founder & CEO, Beyond Zero 44:47

13d ago44:47

44:47

Kevin Kennon is a renowned architect internationally recognized for his work in real estate design and construction. He became a partner at the prestigious Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), where he executed projects such as the Rodin Museum in Korea and led developments in downtown New York, including projects for Lehman Brothers. Kevin later founded Kevin…

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150: Lizbeth Heyer, President of 2Life Communities 50:43

20d ago50:43

50:43

Lizbeth Heyer is the President of 2Life Communities, an organization dedicated to creating affordable, supportive housing for older adults. Her career in affordable housing began as a tenant organizer, and she has held significant roles such as Associate Director of Public Housing and Rental Assistance in the Massachusetts government. As they explo…

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Should You Spend on Marketing? (with Mark R. LePage) 38:04

15d ago38:04

38:04

#38: In this episode, I sit down with Mark R. LePage, Founder of EntreArchitect, to tackle one of the most common questions architects ask: Should I spend money on marketing or just focus on organic growth? Mark argues that before you ever think about ads or paid strategies, you need to build a better brand because most firms don’t actually have a …

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149: Jonathan Iger, CEO of Sage Realty 1:08:36

27d ago1:08:36

1:08:36

Jonathan Iger is the CEO of Sage Realty Corporation, a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience in real estate, design, and construction sectors. Under his leadership, Sage Realty is redefining the tenant experience in a manner akin to the hospitality industry, establishing a consistent branded experience across its portfolio through the Sage Col…

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Why Word of Mouth Isn’t a Growth Strategy (with Rens Hayes) 39:13

1M ago39:13

39:13

#37: Most architects and engineers say their work comes from word of mouth. But few ever ask the follow-up question: what are people actually saying about us? In this episode, I sit down with Rens Hayes, Co-Founder and Principal of H+O Structural Engineering, to unpack why relying solely and passively on word of mouth is one of the most dangerous h…

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How to Win Work Without a Big Portfolio (with Lance Cayko) 46:21

1M ago46:21

46:21

#36: In this episode, I sit down with Lance Cayko, Principal & Co-founder of F9 Productions, F12 Development, F14 Construction, and co-host of Inside the Firm, to tackle one of the biggest myths in architecture: “I need a portfolio in a new market before I can win work there.” Lance shares how he and his partner Alex built F9 from nothing into a ve…

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148: Haril Pandya, Senior Principal at TRIA 56:48

1M ago56:48

56:48

Haril Pandya is a Senior Principal at TRIA, where he brings extensive experience in life sciences, adaptive reuse, multifamily projects, hospitality, retail, and workplace design. Before TRIA, Haril was known for his successful tenure at CBT as a leader in repositioning projects, leveraging his entrepreneurial spirit, having also run his own firm, …

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Marketing For Busy Architects (with Mark Zweig) 46:07

1M ago46:07

46:07

#35: I sit down with Mark Zweig, Founder & Chairman of Zweig Group, to unpack one of the most common frustrations I hear from architects: “How do I market when I don’t have time?” Mark shares why time is never the real issue, why most architects confuse marketing with selling, and how small, consistent actions build a pipeline that reduces pressure…

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147: Growthitect Founder Tyler Suomala: For Architects Who Want High-Quality Clients 59:33

1M ago59:33

59:33

Tyler Suomala is a growth strategist and consultant specializing in helping architecture firms grow their businesses through effective marketing and sales strategies. He shares his insights on how architecture firms can enhance their growth by focusing on effective referral strategies, encouraging listeners to double down on methods that organicall…

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How To Eliminate Bad Fit Clients (with Justin Smith) 42:37

2M ago42:37

42:37

#34: How often do you actually ask whether a project is the right fit for your firm? In this episode, I sit down with Justin Smith, a structural engineer turned operations and strategy advisor, to tackle a problem most firms quietly wrestle with: saying “yes” to the wrong projects. We unpack why “how do we win this?” is the wrong first question, ho…

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146: From Structural Dreams to Tech Realities: Navigating Career Pivots in Engineering w/ Stefanie Reichman 55:33

2M ago55:33

55:33

Stephanie Reichman is an accomplished professional with a background in structural and civil engineering. Despite her educational focus on engineering, Stephanie has crafted a diverse career path that includes roles in project management and virtual design within engineering and construction firms. Her unique career path and passion for assisting o…

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145: Keith Boyle, Principal CUBE 3 | Partnership, Aligning Vision and Design 1:02:32

2M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

Keith Boyle, Principal at CUBE 3, is a seasoned professional with decades of experience in the field of architecture, design, and construction. As a leading figure at CUBE 3, Keith has played a pivotal role in the firm's expansion and success. Keith discusses the evolution of CUBE 3 from its early days to becoming a national leader in architecture …

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How To Attract Design-Driven Clients (with Evelyn Lee) 35:00

2M ago35:00

35:00

#33: Architects often ask the wrong question: “How do I attract clients who actually value design?” In this episode, I sit down with Evelyn Lee, Founder of Practice of Architecture, to unpack why that question is flawed and what architects should be asking instead. We dive into how clients really make decisions, why design alone isn’t the deciding …

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144: Architecture on a Global Stage with Stephen Baker, Baker Design Group 55:45

2M ago55:45

55:45

Stephen Baker is the founder and principal of Baker Design Group, an esteemed architecture and design firm headquartered in Boston. With a career spanning over three decades, Stephen has cultivated an extensive portfolio featuring projects across 20 countries, making him a recognized name in international architecture. He reveals how the rise of th…

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How To Raise Your Architecture Fees (with Robert Yuen) 39:11

2M ago39:11

39:11

#32: Every architect wrestles with the same question: How do I raise my fees without losing clients? In this episode, I sit down with Robert Yuen, CEO & Co-Founder of Monograph, to unpack exactly that. We dive into why raising fees is essential for the health of your firm, what policies and benchmarks to use, and how to avoid the biggest pitfalls f…

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143: Unlock Tax Savings in AEC - R&D, Energy, Depreciation and more with Mike Woeber & Jordan Wilson, Corporate Tax Advisors 29:54

3M ago29:54

29:54

Mike and Jordan Wilson are CEO & Director of Business Development of Corporate Tax Advisors, contributing specialized knowledge in assessing and securing tax credits for businesses. They explain the nuances of corporate tax strategies and how their services help businesses capitalize on lesser-known tax incentives. Mike and Jordan explore the lates…

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Secrets of Client-Winning Architecture Websites (with Nikita Morell) 35:27

3M ago35:27

35:27

#31: Most architects struggle with the same big question: What should my website actually be doing for me? In this episode, I sit down with Nikita Morell, the go-to copywriter and messaging strategist for architects, to break it down step by step. Together we explore how to move beyond a “pretty portfolio” site and create a website that wins the ri…

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142: Reinventing Urban Self-Storage with Katharine Lau, CEO & Founder, Stuf Storage 46:04

3M ago46:04

46:04

Katharine Lau is the dynamic founder and CEO of Stuf Storage, a company that reimagines self-storage by leveraging under-utilized commercial real estate to create tech-enabled storage solutions. Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, Kat held a key role at Industrious as their first real estate hire, where she was instrumental in the comp…

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141: Micro Units and Market Disruption: Boston's Innovative Housing Solutions with Brent Berc, Co-Founder @ Boston Real Estate Collaborative 52:06

3M ago52:06

52:06

Brent Berc is the co-founder of the Boston Real Estate Collaborative, alongside partners Will Avanessian and Patrick Haydon. In the realm of real estate, Brent has significantly impacted the Boston area development scene, focusing on innovative housing solutions like micro-apartments and co-living spaces. His early career challenges turned into piv…

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140: Behind the Scenes with Mark Shraiberg: Inside Trammell Crow's Development Strategies 52:23

3M ago52:23

52:23

Mark Shraiberg is the Vice President of Development Management at Trammell Crow Company, a prominent subsidiary of CBRE. With Mark's comprehensive understanding of design, spatial planning, and strategic investments positions him as a significant thought leader in the real estate sector. The discussion dives deep into the changing landscapes of rea…

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Why Radical Transparency is Your Secret RFP Weapon (with Lisa Sauve of SYNECDOCHE) 40:30

4M ago40:30

40:30

#30: Lisa Sauve, CEO and Principal of SYNECDOCHE, joins us to reveal how her Detroit-based architecture studio won a major cultural project in a new market by pushing back against the original RFP. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://growthitect.com/studio Learn more about SYNECDOCHE: ht…

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139: Navigating NYC and Miami: Winning Strategies in Top-Tier Real Estate Markets with Matthew Baron, President/Founder of Baron Property Group 50:00

3M ago50:00

50:00

Matthew Baron is a renowned real estate developer with over 25 years of experience, currently leading Baron Property Group. He co-founded Simon Baron Development where he specialized in multifamily developments, particularly in New York City. Under his leadership at Baron Property Group, Matt oversees ambitious projects in NYC and Miami, with a pip…

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1-Year-Old Architecture Studio Lands Major NYC Client (Alexander Buckeridge of Studio Bucky) 33:29

4M ago33:29

33:29

#29: Alexander Buckridge returns to Growthitect just over a year into launching Studio Bucky, revealing how he landed his biggest project yet. We dive deep on Bucky’s strategies, lessons, and mindset shifts behind continued growth as a new firm owner. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply to join us inside The Studio - https://…

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138: Capital Markets with Bryan Koop, Senior Vice President @ CBRE 46:32

4M ago46:32

46:32

Bryan Koop is a distinguished expert in capital markets, currently representing CBRE, a global leader in commercial real estate services and investments. With a robust background spanning roles at Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan, his expertise lies in commercial real estate finance, particularly in multifamily, industrial, office, and retail sectors. A…

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How To Land Massive Clients With a Small Team (Joseph Cole of Culture Architecture and Design) 40:29

4M ago40:29

40:29

#28: Joseph Cole, CEO and founder at Culture Architecture and Design, joins us to share how building a strong studio culture can be the foundation for scaling a successful firm. In this episode, we dive into Joseph's unconventional strategies for landing massive projects with a small team and the mindset shifts that set his practice apart. PS - If …

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137: Gensler's Jared Krieger, Co-Managing Director Boston 57:36

4M ago57:36

57:36

Jared Krieger is the Co-Managing Director of Boston for Gensler, the largest architecture firm in the world. He has a longstanding career in architecture, having been with Gensler since 2007. Jared's expertise spans multiple high-profile projects, from tall office buildings to mixed-use complexes worldwide, including airports and convention centers…

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136: Repeatable Growth with Greg Karelitz, GTM Expert, Startup Advisor, Ex-HubSpot 1:06:58

4M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

Greg Karelitz is a go-to-market expert known for his 12-year tenure at HubSpot, during which he helped launch the HubSpot for Startups program and led the global partnerships for WordPress and other products. The discussion revolves around the intricacies of building an effective go-to-market strategy, especially for small businesses and how AI pla…

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135: Liz Hart - President of Leasing, North America at Newmark 52:40

4M ago52:40

52:40

Liz Hart is the President of Leasing in North America at Newmark, one of the leading commercial real estate advisory firms in the United States. With 20 years in the industry, Liz is recognized as one of the highest-ranking women in U.S. commercial real estate. Her career has been marked by significant influence in Silicon Valley, where she played …

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134: Nationwide Leader of Real Estate Development - Jennifer Schultz, Partner, Nixon Peabody 1:09:26

5M ago1:09:26

1:09:26

Jennifer Schultz is a partner and the leader of nationwide commercial real estate development at Nixon Peabody. Her impressive legal career includes over a dozen years at Goodwin Procter representing equity investors in real estate, followed by serving in leadership roles at Sullivan and Nixon Peabody. Her expertise lies in comprehensive real estat…

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133: OZ Architecture with Rick Petersen, Principal at OZ Architecture 45:14

5M ago45:14

45:14

Rick Petersen is a principal and partner at OZ Architecture, a renowned firm with international reach based in Denver. During his illustrious career spanning over 35 years, Rick has made significant contributions to various high-profile projects, including the redesign of McMurdo Station in Antarctica and several U.S. national parks projects. His e…

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132: Family Business & The Road to CEO with Kayla Nassar, CEO of AMCON 55:27

6M ago55:27

55:27

Kayla Nassar is the CEO of AMCON, a prominent construction company in New England. Under her leadership, AMCONhas achieved considerable growth, notably implementing a leadership team predominantly composed of women, innovating within the industry, and adopting emerging technologies like AI. Today, AMCON boasts a leadership team with over 50% women,…

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Can “Try Before You Buy” Work for Architects? (with Cavin Costello of The Ranch Mine) 43:26

6M ago43:26

43:26

#27: Cavin Costello, Principal at The Ranch Mine, joins the show to talk about the bold new strategy he and his wife are championing: designing and building model homes that double as short-term rentals and immersive client experiences. We dive into the risks, logistics, and big opportunities behind their approach and what it could mean for archite…

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131: 1031 Specialists with VP of Growth, Mike Auerbach 50:25

6M ago50:25

50:25

Mike Auerbach is the Vice President of Growth at 1031 Specialists, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the 1031 exchange industry with tech-forward solutions. With a background as a multifamily broker and experience on both the brokerage and principal sides, Mike has developed deep expertise in real estate investment and the intricacies of 1031 …

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What Great Architects Do After Winning the Job (with Jenn Rittler of Moody Nolan) 41:29

6M ago41:29

41:29

#26: Jenn Rittler, Associate Principal at Moody Nolan, provides a deep dive into one of the most overlooked parts of winning work: what happens after the contract is signed. Using the massive, multi-phase Penn State Intramural Building as a case study, Jenn shares how great firms keep earning trust long after the kickoff meeting. From joining proje…

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130: Navigating Volatile Markets: How GCs and Developers Can Thrive Together with Mike Hartnett, VP of Plumb House Inc. 37:07

6M ago37:07

37:07

Mike Hartnett is a prominent figure in the construction and real estate sector, currently serving as a vice president and partner at Plumb House. With a rich history in multifamily construction, Mike has extensive experience in various roles, from his beginnings as a project engineer to becoming a senior superintendent. Mike offers invaluable insig…

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129: The Capital Markets Playbook: Strategies for Risk Adjusted Returns in 2025 with David Borden, Managing Director, Ackman Ziff 47:29

6M ago47:29

47:29

Design Development welcomes David Borden, Managing Director at Ackman Ziff, to discuss the nuances of capital markets amid a volatile economic climate. David dives into the pivotal role capital advisory firms play in navigating these changes. They discuss the importance of risk-adjusted returns, the impact of treasury rates, and the differing prior…

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How Perkins&Will Won A Groundbreaking Public School Project (with Laura Gwyn, Managing Director) 43:47

7M ago43:47

43:47

#25: What does it take to win one of the most groundbreaking public school projects in the US? Laura Gwyn, Managing Director at Perkins&Will, joins Tyler Suomala to share how her team secured the first Living Building Certified public school. From building a mission-driven team to delivering a pitch that combined expertise with authenticity, Laura …

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128: Struggling to make a decision? You're missing this ONE thing. 17:23

7M ago17:23

17:23

if you're uncertain about a decision, it's likely a lack of data causing the hesitation. Rens shares his journey of harnessing data to make informed decisions, emphasizing the significance of data in areas like marketing, sales, project management, and cost-effective design strategies in structural engineering. With personal anecdotes, he illustrat…

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Renovating Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram Building with Marc Spector (How He Got the Job) 46:40

7M ago46:40

46:40

#24: Marc Spector, founder of Spector Companies, unpacks landing one of the most iconic projects of his career: a commission inside the legendary Seagram Building by Mies van der Rohe. No flashy pitches. No designs. Just pure, relationship-driven strategy. In this conversation, Marc breaks down how trust, intuition, and human connection led his tea…

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127: Two Lessons from Charlie Munger 5:50

7M ago5:50

5:50

In this solo episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes dives into the wisdom of Charlie Munger, an influential figure whose insights have profoundly impacted Renz's professional journey. This session is packed with valuable lessons drawn from Munger's philosophies, aimed at those in real estate, design, and construction who are eager to enhanc…

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The Unspoken Reason Clients Say Yes to Architects (w/ Alex Gore of F9 Productions) 43:14

7M ago43:14

43:14

#23: How do the best residential architecture firms win work? Alex Gore of F9 Productions has figured it out. In this episode, he breaks down the real strategies behind standing out in architecture – and reveals how his team landed a dream high-end residential project in Boulder, Colorado. PS - If you’re a growth-minded firm owner or leader, apply …

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126: How to Engineer Business Value: Scaling Smart, Hiring Right, and Creating Freedom with Rens Hayes IV (Guest Episode) 1:41:43

7M ago1:41:43

1:41:43

Most business owners go through a pivotal moment—their first real look behind the curtain at how buyers value companies. For Rens Hayes, that moment came when he went through a sale and due diligence process for his father’s structural steel business. What he learned from that experience completely changed how he approached building and scaling his…

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How to Win Architecture RFPs Against Industry Giants as a Small Firm (with Andrew Lyon of Studio Lyon/Szot) 46:56

8M ago46:56

46:56

#22: Partner and Founder at Studio Lyon/Szot reveals how his eight-person firm went head-to-head with global giants – and won. This is the ultimate David vs. Goliath story, packed with raw insights, bold strategies, and the mindset shifts that made it possible. If you’ve ever wondered how a small firm can punch above its weight and land game-changi…

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125: Automation, Technology & Leadership in Construction with Paul Foley, President Feldman Geospatial 56:19

8M ago56:19

56:19

Paul Foley is the President of Feldman Geospatial, a respected leader in the industry of surveying and geospatial technologies. With a background as a licensed land surveyor, Paul has guided Feldman to remarkable growth by embracing innovation and maintaining a keen focus on technology integration. they dive straight into the evolution of autonomou…

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How Sweet Sparkman Won an International Competition (with Lissette Callejas) 44:09

8M ago44:09

44:09

#21: Lissette Callejas, Director of Marketing at Sweet Sparkman, reveals the strategies that propelled her firm to win in the Reimagining Pei International Competition. We break down the secrets behind standout proposal submissions – what works, what doesn’t, and how to position your firm as the obvious choice. Get ready to dive deep into how to el…