Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jerel McCants. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jerel, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I started my architectural firm during the Great Recession back in 2010 and starting my own practice was a goal within my career but the economic decline allowed for this opportunity to arrive sooner than anticipated. With thousands of jobs being taken out of the workforce, there were few options to stay within this design profession. I, along with many other colleagues, ventured into the world of small business practitioner. This was an immediate struggle as this economic cycle was to last for another 3 years before there was any strong indicator of a bull market and confidence in the marketplace. As I worked within a spare room in my house, I was able to pay my mortgage by working 7 days a week and averaging about 15 hours per day by creating plans for non-profit organizations, churches, and homeowners for less than half the fee that would have been expected for a licensed professional at that time. This was extremely frustrating but with any new business entrepreneurship, the hustle was expected in order to build a client base and reputation in the community. As the economy strengthened, I was able to add part-time staff and also partner with other professionals to occupy an office suite to present a higher level of importance to prospective clientele. This partnering and sharing of resources led to a loose collective of passionate, energetic creatives that wanted to make an impact and create space and validity

Jerel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a native of Chattanooga, TN, and number 4 out of 5 siblings where we grew up in a small but supportive community with prominent parents that prepared us for success at an earlier age. I was already interested in drawing and designing before I could practically walk and this spark of my personality was fostered and encouraged as I grew up and developed my interest. It was at the age of 10 that I asked my mother what job adults have where they draw every day. When she told me that was an Architect, that was what I wanted to be when I went to college and enter the workforce. That passion continued to develop and Art Teachers in school also noticed this talent and was showcased at various times throughout my grade school years. While in high school, I joined the Boy Scouts Explorer program, whereas they pared students with professionals to guide them and become mentors. This propelled me into obtaining a degree in Architectural Engineering and a Master’s in Architecture.

While in school, I interned for Construction companies and Architectural firms to build my knowledge in this industry. Upon graduating, I was offered a position in Atlanta, GA to formerly start my professional entrance into the workforce. While I worked for a few firms to gain multiple perspectives of the design industry, I was working to understand my role and purpose in this field. It was after i relocated to Florida and worked for a high-end design firm was where I found my purpose within Architecture, I had developed organically, an intuitive way to layout spaces and space plan for various buildings. I knew that this would be my strongest attribute to offer if I was ever to start my own practice, which was mentioned by my father on several occasions as he was a small business owner in the field of Insurance and Finance.

Once my practice was off and running and growing with the economy, I was able to offer my brand of service as being responsive to Clients needs and anticipating client interactions to develop well-thought-out plans that solved their concerns and desires. At my firm I was able to extract my core values of Integrity, Innovation, and Insight. These three words define who I am as a person and how I want to steer my firm. My service and core values spread throughout the Tampa Bay area where my business is mostly driven by referrals with little advertising. When potential clients contact my firm, we will ensure that their project makes it to the finish line. Even complex projects that involved a lot of coordination will eventually get completed as I believe that we as Architects are advocates for our clients and will find a way out of difficult design challenges.

I am proud to have created a firm that embodies my character and recruited staff that shares my values to do your best and be the best version of yourself when practicing this craft that only a select group of individuals can truly find satisfaction by utilizing their gifts to present to the built environment.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I have been developing by business acumen and how to influence people by engaging in conversations that lead to closing deals and making connections with cross-industry professionals. This is the Architect as business owner and marketing director to grow my firm and bring bigger and better projects into the office. These books have been in the “Self-Help” Category of bookstores and online libraries. One book that has helped tremendously was “How to win friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie. I used phrases and quotes within this book to teach to my staff during office meetings to better engage with clients while developing plans and communicating issues that may arise and present challenges to complete the project.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I have always been a “fiery” person growing up and in my adulthood. Maybe this is due to my zodiac sign of Aries or if my integrity was challenged on a particular issue. I have had to temper my feelings when dealing with clients, staff and colleagues when trying to prove my point. My backstory with my persona is from my lifetime interest in the martial arts and competitive sports. I have always been very competitive, winning competitions as early as kindergarten and grade school. I am a highly active individual where i believe that every hour of my time should be accounted for and productive towards my goal at that time. I ran track, was a manager at a store, honor society, and martial artist while in high school. In college, I maintained my interest in martial arts and I still practice and compete in events to this day.

While understanding that as a business owner, you have to maintain a high level of decorum when communicating with clients and staff because everyone will not share your sensibilities, even though you have the best intentions.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Jmccants.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerelmccants_architecture/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jerelmccantsarchitect
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerel-mccants-aia-leed-green-assoc-57b75713/

Image Credits
RiMO PHOTO, LLC