Today we’d like to introduce you to Dwight Yee
Hi Dwight, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an entrepreneur by accident – or rather, because circumstances made starting my own business the best of my limited options. Because of the 2008 economic recession, I couldn’t find any work in architecture firms. I was doing design-build work as a way to keep myself busy and started teaching part-time to have some income. My business partner was looking to leave his job and asked if I would be interested in partnering with him to start up an Architecture firm. I figured, why not?
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been easy, and the first few years were spent just building a larger and larger client base. We went after any potential job, and in the beginning, we were hearing “no” more often than “yes”. It was a chicken and egg situation – we needed to build a portfolio of work for people to want to hire us, but we needed people to say yes to us so we could complete projects for them to then have for a portfolio.
That is the challenge I speak about to any younger architects who ask me about starting their own firm. I ask them if they feel confident that they have the contacts and resources to be able to get work executed to build their portfolio. It’s your calling card and sets the tone for who you attract and the type of work you’ll likely get.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Process Studio is a small, design-centered, architecture firm. We work on a range of projects, with a particular interest in designing spaces for everyday living. We are known for creatively working with existing conditions, which is why we have a large portfolio of work in the renovation/adaptive re-use area. However, because of our past experiences, we are capable of working on a range of projects, which currently includes a new commercial headquarters building, a tenant fit-out for a new food concept, an addition and interior renovations to a historic municipal building, and several custom residences.
As a small firm, we are focused on being fully engaged with our projects throughout the design and construction process. We feel that this is key to the success of our projects, and why our clients trust us enough to refer us to their friends and family. We are interested in each project for the complexities and challenges they present, and what we, as architects, can do to help address them. The problem solving excites us, and we look forward to working with our clients to clearing understand, and articulate, what goals we are trying to achieve.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
It’s pretty simple. I loved staring at the lights on a christmas tree on christmas eve night. There was something magical about the anticipation of what would come. And it wasn’t necessarily about what presents I would get. It was knowing that the next day would feel special, joyful, filled with food and family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.processpllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/processpllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/processpllc
Image Credits
All images and photography by Process Studio
