In 2021, the decision was made to change the organizational structure of the Small Firm Exchange (SFx). With the elimination of the regional structure within the AIA, the leadership framework also changed. In the beginning of 2022, the process of onboarding all the new state representatives began, and when the annual meeting was held last year, it was the first with a board representative of the new structure. The representation of small firms throughout the country is now coordinated through a network of state representatives who will become the key contact for small firms to turn to when they have questions or needs they are looking to fulfill. The goal is to have every state represented and to help connect small firms with the resources and information available to them through the AIA.

AIA ID recently sat down with Jennifer to discuss her experience as the SFx Regional Representative and to get her advice for small firms, leadership, and her replacement moving forward.

The following is a brief recap of our conversation.

What have you learned about the challenges small firms face in Idaho and the U.S. at large?
We talked a lot as a group about the challenges small firms face because of the lack of access to important resources that larger firms take for granted. Affordable health insurance, lien protection, and the cost of technology are examples where small firms are at a disadvantage. Also, marketing — small firms often do not have time or resources to promote their work through seeking awards, publication, or entering a competition, things that larger firms with a marketing staff or just more staff do regularly. Additionally, strong leadership is important, and supporting young architects through mentoring and paid internships.

What was most valuable about your time serving as the AIA SFx Regional Representative?
It was definitely the camaraderie and getting to know so many architects practicing in small firms, which always reminds me of how many different ways there are of practicing architecture. From sole practitioners to firms with 10 employees, there are commonalities but also some unique challenges. Also, the differences between states — Idaho and Montana have very different issues than Washington and Oregon. Often working in a small firm, or a small town can start to feel myopic. SFx makes you feel part of a larger community with mutual goals and interests.

What advice do you have for the next AIA SFx State Representative now that the regional model has been dissolved?
We transitioned from the Regional Representative system to a State Representative system this past year. It can be a bit chaotic at times with so many new voices, but it has added a lot of fresh ideas to what can be accomplished by SFx.

My advice to any new State Representative would be to identify your passion or interest (sustainability, technology, firm equity, health insurance, etc.) and figure out what is going on in your state to bring to the larger group. Often you find similar interests or issues in other states, which leads to a network of shared experiences and resources that you can take to small firms in your state.

What three pieces of advice would you give to a small firm?

1. Continue to work with AIA National, State, and local leadership to find examples at other firms or in other states that have been successful at tackling challenges outside the status quo.
2. Stay connected with your community and the SFx community. Often you are not alone in a question or challenge — someone out there has probably had to tackle it.
3. Think about starting a Small Firm Roundtable in your community and reach out to your State Representative for resources and advice.

In closing, Jennifer shared a list of resources to help others learn more about and get involved in SFx.