Connection
Anna Squier and Modern Studio Entrepreneurial profile
Anna (Jones) Squier Squier is the owner and architect of Modern Studio, a small Midwest design studio based in Des Moines, Iowa. Established just three years ago, her practice offers custom residential and commercial interiors that are simple, elegant, and refined. Outside her firm, she has been heavily involved in leadership opportunities including the Central States Region Emerging Professionals Committee and Iowa Women in Architecture, which garnered her an AIA Associates Award in 2016.
While her accolades and design portfolio alone are impressive, I knew I had to share more about her career when I learned she had founded her firm as so early in her professional career. While she had plenty of experience to support her decision, Anna’s story is encouraging and necessary for other young architects and designers to hear. What follows is a summary of our conversation on how and why she built her business, her goals for Modern Studio, and advice to others on taking this path.
with architectural design. Around the same time, I took on a small project on my own – a kitchen remodel in downtown Des Moines. I fell in love with the scale, the process, the intimacy with the client, and the personal collaboration with the contractor(s). I knew this type of work was something I wanted to continue.
Starting the Business & Licensure Miranda Moen (MM): Why did you decide to start your architecture firm?
AS: Everything. I was young (29), a female in a still maledominated profession, and not yet licensed. That alone begs you to ask the question “why.” I did not have a solidified business plan or a backlog of clients or projects. It was crazy, but a path I needed to explore. So I quit my job, went to Europe for two weeks, solidified my business plan, brought home a puppy, and went to work.
Anna Squier (AS): Personally, I was curious, had broad interests, and wanted freedom and flexibility. Before I started my practice, I found myself pigeonholed at work, bored, and unhappy with traditional firm structures. I desired engagement with a diverse spectrum of fields (architecture, design, business, and marketing just to name a few) and visualized a place that broke away from the norms of traditional practice. I found myself looking for other outlets to explore my creative interests. Making jewelry became a side business of mine and my first step into entrepreneurship. Through this exploration, I had the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs in creative fields and was inspired by how they had built a livelihood in design by following their passions. I wondered if this was possible
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MM: What was intimidating about starting your own practice?
MM: What resources did you turn to during this process? AS: At the start, I reached out to many business owners to discuss how they did it. All of these individuals were outside the architecture profession but in related creative fields — a professional photographer, cupcake shop owner, an art installer. They provided great insight into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship as well as a list of references for helpful hints. I attended free lunch series, speaker presentations, and workshops focusing on starting a small business. I quickly
