Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Stone.
Elise, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I decided I wanted to be an architect my junior year of high school. I’d always been very interested in design and loved that architecture brought problem solving and creativity together. So I explored colleges that offered reputable architecture programs, and ended up completing my bachelor’s at Lehigh University. I then completed my master’s degree at Catholic University, during which I worked for a firm that focused on high-end residential. It was there where I discovered that I really enjoyed working directly with homeowners and why I ended up in residential architecture.
I was trying to balance working at a firm with starting a family when one of my previous clients approached me with an independent job, and that’s when the idea for going out on my own was planted. I started very small, when my two oldest kids were young. One small job let to another. My clients passed my name along and I grew from there.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While I complete roughly 50 projects a year, and am always working with an average of 10-12 clients at a time – I’ve always been a one-person shop. I do have up to two freelancers at a time helping me with design and blueprints (yes I do still do everything by hand!) but the majority of the business is run by me. With that said, I’d say the biggest obstacles that have come up in the past is because you never know how a project will proceed. This results in saying yes to more jobs than I really should, and then being challenged with juggling them all at the same time.
Elise Braceras Stone Architect – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I started Elise Braceras Stone Architect in 1990 and specialize in residential architecture. My niche is working with clients that are looking for a personalized approach with a competitive price point. I’ve been able to provide excellent architecture design for family living, within a comfortable budget.
I work 100% with the clients, am at every meeting, answer every call. I feel that building a strong client relationship is the key to a successful project. I build these relationships largely because I directly relate to my clients. I’m a working mother of four, living in their same community.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
To me it’s the small moments that I’m most proud. It’s when a past client comes up to me in the super market and says “I love my house.” And then that client goes on to recommend me, which leads me to next project.
Contact Info:
- Address: 288 Old Marlboro Road
Concord, MA 07142 - Website: http://elisestonearchitect.com
- Phone: 617-306-6359
- Email: ebstone@comcast.net
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