How to Hire a Team That Thrives

Lance Cayko and Alex Gore met during their second year as architecture majors at North Dakota State University. While they didn't initially hit it off, the two classmates soon realized they each had qualities to complement the other, and by their third year, the go-getters were working together on all the projects they could and earned the title Renaissance Team from Professor Darryl Booker.

By the time they graduated, Lance and Alex knew they'd someday run a business together, but first they went their separate ways with Lance landing in Boulder, Colorado, and Alex in New York City. Then the 2008 recession hit. Both junior architects found themselves out of work. Alex returned to NDSU and earned his construction management degree. By 2010, architecture and construction industries across the country were still struggling, so he joined Lance in Colorado, renting the apartment above him, and the two founded F9 Productions.

The company has steadily grown as an architecture, construction, and development firm in Longmont, Colorado from the co-founders to a staff of 11. In 2016, Lance and Alex won the Architizer award for Architecture and Living Small popular vote for their tiny home, Atlas, the build of which was featured on season one, episode 14, of HGTV's Tiny House Big Living. Being business savvy allowed them to earn top ratings, becoming the highest-rated firm for customer satisfaction in Colorado. They've also positioned themselves to build their own projects the way they want, including their new business headquarters. Their education at NDSU taught them the balance between the science and art of architecture to enhance lives through design.

As they've grown the business, Lance and Alex strive to empower the people they hire. They pride themselves on developing employees and growing them into leaders to add to the fabric of professionals in architecture.

This week at EntreArchitect Podcast, How to Hire a Team That Thrives with Lance Cayko and Alex Gore.

Connect with Lance and Alex online at F9Productions.com, check out Inside the Firm Podcast, and find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Mentioned in This Episode

EA190: EntreArchitect Live with Alex Gore of F9 Productions [Podcast]

EA158: Getting Noticed Through Fun Projects [Podcast]

EA369: Lance Cayko and Alex Gore How To Be a Builder as a Small Firm Architect [Podcast]