In this episode of What It Takes: Business Owners Tell All, host Jamie Seeker talks with award-winning architect and sustainability leader Scott Rodwin. From starting his firm after spontaneously quitting a job in 1999 to building a nationally recognized design/build company, Scott shares how community, collaboration, and bold thinking have shaped his journey.
He opens up about:
- The early days of hustling for projects
- How he built two thriving businesses in tandem
- The philosophy behind taking full responsibility for the client experience
- Lessons from surviving economic downturns
- Why teaching, service, and advocacy are part of his business DNA
Scott’s insights are a blueprint for what it means to build with both purpose and precision.
🧱 Key Themes & Takeaways
🔨 Starting from Scratch
Scott left a job without a plan but found his first client through a neighbor — and his next through a friend in the community. These early, small projects became award-winning and launched his firm.
“I didn’t have a plan. It was totally spontaneous and accidental… but I had a community, and that’s what saved me.”
🧰 Design-Build Philosophy
Scott explains why his firm embraces the architect-led design/build model — to ensure quality, reduce risk, and give clients a single point of responsibility.
“We take full responsibility for everything. Our clients love the idea of single-point responsibility — and in our industry, that’s unusual.”
“In 25 years of doing business, we’ve never been sued. That’s practically unheard of in this industry.”
🌱 Green Building from the Ground Up
Scott has been a sustainability advocate since before “green building” was a common term. His first project used straw bale construction and earned national awards.
“We didn’t call it green building then. We just did it because it felt right.”
🤝 The Power of Team & Partnership
From hiring a seasoned construction expert to partnering with a younger team member with drive, Scott shares how complementary skills build strong businesses.
“The most important thing when looking for a partner is not finding someone like you. It’s finding someone who complements your weak areas — and who you trust.”
“We call it peanut butter and jelly. Very different, but it works.”
🧭 Community & Industry Leadership
Scott’s service as AIA Colorado President and as a teacher and speaker stems from his belief in lifting others up.
“We all do better when we share knowledge. Scarcity and fear have no place in our industry.”
“One of our competitors said, ‘We’ve learned so much from you over the years. I’m just giving back.’”
💼 Resilience Through Recession
Scott reveals how his firm survived the 2008 crash by cutting hours, not people — and why collective sacrifice built long-term loyalty.
“We rise together, we sink together. No one got laid off. Everyone took a hit — together.”
🔑 What It Takes to Be a Business Owner
Scott’s signature advice is practical, generous, and powerful:
“Find your passion. Build your community. And create true partnerships inside your business.”
“Our culture is one for all, all for one — and we haven’t had a single internal political issue in over 20 years.”
📌 Memorable Quotes
- “Your first jobs come from your social network — not your website.”
- “If we’re going to be sued for it anyway, we might as well be in control of...
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