Do you only work with large architecture firms?

No. Franne works with small and mid-sized architecture firm owners and principals, typically firms that are busy and respected but want stronger margins, clearer positioning, and less owner-dependence.

How is a business coach different from a consultant?

A consultant hands you a deliverable; a coach builds your capability. Franne helps you make better pricing, positioning, and leadership decisions so the improvements stick and the firm runs better without her.

What does business coaching for architecture firms cost?

It depends on scope and engagement length. The best first step is a free strategy session, which you can book after taking the free Profitable Firm Scorecard.

How quickly will we see results?

Pricing and scope changes often improve margin within a quarter, while positioning and owner-independence build over a few months of consistent work.

What is the Profitable Firm Scorecard?

A free 2-minute assessment that scores your firm on eight drivers of a profitable, owner-independent practice and shows where you are leaving money on the table.

AEC Client Results & Testimonials

Case Snapshot

Architecture: From founder-dentric studio to transferrable practice

The firm: 21-person architecture studio, $4.2M in net service revenue.

The problem: Every major decision routed through one principal, including reviews, approvals, and client relationships. The dependence capped growth and put a discount on the business.

What changed: Leadership roles and decision authority were written down, two senior architects were promoted with named sign-off authority, and the Director of Operations was given real spend and staffing authority.

The result: Principal review time dropped from 18 hours a week to 12, and operating margin on net service revenue went from 9% to 15%, about $252K a year in additional profit.

Read the full case study

Case Snapshot

Engineering: From over-billed principals to operational clarity

The firm: 32-person multi-discipline engineering firm, $8M in net service revenue.

The problem: Principals billed 92% of their time, so leadership was being sold at project-engineer economics. Margins varied widely by discipline and growth depended on people who could not be replaced.

What changed: Utilization targets and pricing discipline were set by role, principal production was backfilled by three hires and two redeployments, and WIP reporting was rebuilt.

The result: Principal billable time fell from 92% to 64% and discipline-level gross margins on net service revenue rose 5 points, moving the Value Builder Score from 49 to 61.

Read the full case study

Case Snapshot

Construction: From owner-bonded to company-bonded

The firm: 12-person construction firm, $3.5M in annual contract revenue.

The problem: The owner personally indemnified every bond and handled field supervision, admin, and bid management himself, which capped the firm at small private contracts.

What changed: The surety relationship was deepened with reviewed financials, WIP schedules, and completion history, and retained earnings stayed in the company to build working capital.

The result: Single-job bonding tripled from $500K to $1.5M and aggregate from $1.5M to $4.5M, opening public bid eligibility. Two state contracts totaling $1.4M followed.

Read the full case study

ARCHITECTURE

“Franne McNeal provided me with invaluable, specific and practical advice that I was able to implement into how I manage my architectural design business. Franne’s advice gave me a new perspective that is affording me the ability to see opportunities for growth in my architectural design firm.”

— Richard Olaya, Principal, O Z Collaborative

“Franne is insightful and unrelenting in helping entrepreneurs reach for growth for their companies and for themselves as leaders. She understands the core competencies needed for her clients to grow, and she makes sure they map an ambitious but realistic path to that growth.”

— Mary Holland, Principal at CICADA Architecture/Planning, Inc.

ENGINEERING

“Franne is an amazing business advisor who has a tremendous knack for identifying key issues. She is an exceptional listener. I would highly recommend her for business advising and coaching.”

— Walter Hopkin, Civil & Forensic WJH Engineering

CONSTRUCTION

“Franne opened my eyes to the business opportunities available to Torrado Construction by getting me to ‘think outside the box’. I highly recommend Franne as a business advisor for construction business owners who are serious about their business growth and scale.”

— Luis Torrado, President, Torrado Construction Co., Inc.

“Franne McNeal helped me examine and embrace my leadership style for significant business results. I recommend Franne as the business advisor you choose when you are creating the plan to increase your company value and preparing for growth, scale and future sale.”