Robertson Architecture Blog

In the end, it’s really ALL about hospitality.

Not matter what you’re doing or working on, it really boils down to being hospitable. I like to think that what we’re doing here is more than just serving our guests, clients, friends a meal or just providing a service; we’re making them feel welcome in our buildings and telling them a story that they’ll want to listen to.

What’s the best way to describe a creative entrepreneur? It has been said that “a good entrepreneur is someone who can see an opportunity and make it happen.” This J.D. Rockefeller quote sums up what an entrepreneur should embody, but how does one become an entrepreneur in the first place?

The only real way to become an entrepreneur is on the job training (which can be more expensive than going to college sometimes). Creative entrepreneurs are able to take risks with their products or ideas because they’re willing to work hard, have strong determination and be able to think outside of the box. They understand that success takes time and perseverance which means they’ll never give up when things get tough.

One of the many great things about the hospitality industry is it is FULL of entrepreneurs.

Every hotel or restaurant has its own unique characteristics which are generally determined by the locale. Knowing that locale is key to their success, and the entrepreneurial mindset is a must.

Imagine the perfect hotel. Not just a great place to stay, but one that will make you feel like royalty with every step as if walking in your own showroom! It would be impossible for only an architect to create such magnificence and luxury by themselves; they need some help from other professionals on their team too.

Architects are generally predisposed to good taste when it comes to design so naturally we like to be involved in creating great hotels but there are also many aspects of architecture beyond designing: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering—the list goes on! But even these skillsets come up short without expertise outside of construction-like landscaping experts who can bring beauty into any space through plants and trees.

We also tend to be more Avant-garde when it comes to the way we problem solve. We are trained to see and solve the problems in less than ordinary ways.

In the same respect, hoteliers must be able to prep / serve food and beverages, manage hotel accommodations, understand legal aspects, IT, social media, marketing, accounting, finance, and have some pretty bullheaded determination.

I’ve been an architect for eight years now, and have seen firsthand the ups and downs of being a creative entrepreneur. From my experience, three things are crucial to success in any endeavor: knowing how to fail (and learn from it), having good mentors/teachers who will tell you when you’re wrong, and understanding that this is as much about managing your life outside of work as it is getting the job done at work. As someone who has had many jobs, prior to becoming an architect –from architecture to construction–I can attest that there are certain skills that translate well across professions. For example, creativity may be more important than problem-solving alone.

There are two aspects of hospitality that need to be considered in order for this industry to flourish. Firstly, there needs to be a focus on storytelling because storytelling helps bring the locale to life; stories allow designers and hotel owners alike with the opportunity not only tell their own story but also give life and vibrancy into other peoples’ lives as well by giving people personalized experiences they will never forget.

One of the many things that I love about this profession is that it’s full of opportunities, and it’s packed full of a little bit of everything.

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine…. IT’S LETHAL.”

      — Paul Coelho