We were lucky to catch up with Benita Cooper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Benita, appreciate you joining us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

When I started Benita Cooper Design, I was younger and could only see what was right in front of me. I did not have a master plan to scale. I was focused on doing the work well, one project at a time. During the pandemic, my husband’s sports league business slowed down, and he encouraged me to take on as much work as I could to support our family. I remember feeling the pressure, but also feeling a sense of purpose and urgency that pushed me full speed forward. It’s ironic that I found my professional anchor during such an uncertain time. As the pandemic ended, the business and my drive continued, and the business took on a life of its own. I love growing with it, and feeling my perspective and ability expand with every challenge I take on.

Now I see the bigger picture clearly. Scaling is not just about growth. It is about impact. It is about building something strong enough to reach higher, last longer, serve more people, and deliver the level of work that truly matters. As an Asian American woman in a male-dominated field, it is also about gratitude for the people who have gone out of their way to open doors for me. And it is about responsibility. To create a path that did not always feel visible to me, so that the girls and boys coming up behind me can see what is possible and step into their own ambitions with confidence.

In the early years I was doing everything. Designing, managing clients, coordinating construction, solving problems on site, and often learning things the hard way. Over time I realized that growth in architecture means expanding my limits, by shifting my focus from doing everything myself to building a team and investing in leadership. I put a lot of time and care into mentoring my team, and championing a work culture where everyone feels appreciated, valued, and proud of our collective work. When a team is happy, it shows in the quality of work. Decisions are integrated and buildings come out more beautiful, more functional and more durable for our clients. And our clients share in our joy every step of the way.

Another important part of scaling was building an ecosystem around our core team. Architecture does not exist in isolation. Over time I developed deep relationships with builders, craftspeople, engineers, suppliers, and collaborators. This is how we can operate with the power and effectiveness of a large company with the sharpness and creativity of a boutique firm. That network even led to related ventures such as furniture and signage fabrication through Coop Forge, cabinetry through NJ Cabinetry, and high-performance historic restoration work through This Modern Old House. Each grew organically out of the needs of BCD projects and personal encouragement of BCD clients.

One of the most meaningful surprises along the way has been the role my clients have played in my growth. Many have stayed in touch long after their projects were completed and have become close friends and trusted advisors. They follow what I am building, offer perspective, and encourage me to take the next step when they see that I am ready. Knowing that the families and business I have worked for are cheering me on years later is incredibly motivating.

Finally, a piece that became increasingly important was taking care of my own mental clarity and well-being. Leading a firm requires steady judgment and a clear sense of direction, both for the vision of each project and for the team and ecosystem as a whole. Being mindful about balance helps me show up with the focus and perspective needed to guide complex projects and support the people around me.

Looking back, scaling up was less about a single strategy and more about steadily leading with a commitment to loyalty and teamwork. Over time that foundation allowed the work to grow, the network to grow, and the opportunities to grow along with it. What I am most proud of today is not just the size, complexity or range of projects we take on, but also the community of people who make them possible.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was a fearless, adventurous girl who always enjoyed school and especially loved math, art and reading. After my birth in Seattle, my parents raised me in Hong Kong until I was twelve, then my mom and my extended family on her side moved back to Seattle. My parents separated. As my world shifted culturally, geographically and emotionally, I found my sense of self challenged, reshaped and deepened by the new environments and experiences. I found it exhilarating rather than scary. I skipped high school and entered University of Washington early at fifteen, in a time with Seattle was a hub for emerging artists and music. All of this happening in a few short years opened my mind to how complex and expansive life can be, and made me curious to find my place in it.

In college, I double majored in art and architecture and studied abroad in Mexico and Italy. A few years later, I entered Harvard University, studied in Chile, and earned my Master of Architecture. During those years I tried to learn about the built world from every angle. I interned in architecture firms, apprenticed with builders learning roofing and masonry in the field, and spent long hours in the woodshop working with my hands.

I worked at larger firms in Seattle, Boston, and Philadelphia to learn the profession in demanding environments, before founding Benita Cooper Design in 2008. My hope was to practice architecture in a more integrated way by bridging the gaps between architecture, interior design, fabrication, and construction. The goal was not just efficiency but a culture of collaboration and loyalty that I felt like was missing in the industry. I always wanted to stand for something different.

Today Benita Cooper Design operates as a full-service firm, combining architecture, interiors, project management, hardscape design, and engineering coordination into one fluid process. Alongside the firm, I have also created a small network of related ventures, including Coop Forge for furniture and signage fabrication, This Modern Old House for high-performance historic restorations, and NJ Cabinetry for made-to-fit cabinetry.

Beyond my professional work, I care deeply about education, community and empowerment. I lead a STEM program called BCD Build Club, host public architectural photography walks, and collaborate with high-design brands with an empowering mission such as Porsche, as both creative director and fashion model. I am also the Founder and President of The Best Day of My Life So Far, a nonprofit inspired by the stories and friendship of my late grandmother. Our mission is to reduce older adult isolation and strengthen intergenerational connection through storytelling.

I do many different things, and it is the combination of them that reflects who I am. What ties them together is a desire to make a positive impact in people’s lives and contribute, even in small ways, to a better world. As I grow older, I feel an increasing sense of responsibility and urgency to encourage the next generation, especially girls interested in fields that have traditionally been male dominated, to embrace their full and multifaceted selves, even when that means breaking a few molds.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Time is the greatest test and proof of what someone truly stands for. Early in my career, it was not always easy, especially as a young Asian American woman, and opportunities often felt limited. But when chances did come along, I approached them with care and pushed myself to go above and beyond whenever I could. When a judging look or comment was unfairly tossed my way, it used to weigh on me. Over time, I learned to stay focused on the work and let consistency and quality speak for me.

As the years went on, the doubters became quieter and the supporters became stronger. Many people, both men and women, offered encouragement, mentorship, and belief in me, which made a real difference. Some of my strongest supporters even nominated me for recognitions I never expected to be considered for, and I was surprised and honored to receive them. Their belief has shaped not only what others see in me, but what I have learned to see in myself. It is something I carry with me every day.

Today, I feel grateful to have a body of work and a track record to stand on. I am still learning, still growing, and I do not have all the answers. But I have come to see that not having all the answers is what gives each next step its meaning. It is what keeps the work alive, and keeps life awesome.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I used to think architecture was such a serious profession that social media felt like a distraction. Over time, I realized it is one of the most powerful ways to bring architecture into people’s everyday lives and show what truly goes into creating meaningful spaces.

At first, I only shared clean, finished photographs. But architecture is so much more than the final result. It is the ideas, the messy middle, the mentoring, the teamwork, the moments of failing, fixing, and getting it even better. It is precise planning shaped by unexpected discoveries along the way.

As my perspective evolved, so did what I shared. The polished images are still there, but now they sit alongside sketches, site visits, fabrication in the shop, conversations with our team, and the small breakthroughs that bring a project to life. My advice for anyone starting out is simple: share the process and the people, not just the polish. The work becomes more meaningful when you let others see the full journey.

Over time, this naturally grew into a collection of platforms, each one offering a deeper look into a different part of the work and the mission.

If you want to see the full picture, start here:
@benitacooperdesign — architecture and fully integrated design

From there, you can go deeper:
@thismodernoldhouse — high-performance historic restoration
@coopforgemobile — custom furniture and building signage
@njcabinetry — custom cabinetry
@bestdayofmylifesofar — nonprofit work to bring together generations through storytelling

Each account is a different lens, but together they tell one story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.benitacooperdesign.com
• Instagram: @benitacooperdesign
• Facebook: @benitacooperdesign
• Linkedin: Benita Cooper