Today we’d like to introduce you to Damon McQuaid.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I got my start at a small, 4 person, architecture firm that was very hesitant to change and grow in both design and business model. Over the course of being there for over 7 years we grew the company to 14 people and broke out of our design shell and got ourselves involved in some really great projects. I’d like to think that I played a big role in that transformation. During that time, I had been moonlighting for some extra money to support my family and had good success. On January 1st of 2018 I officially set up shop and threw the doors open of my own business while still working my previous job. I worked a steady 80 plus hours a week with late nights and no days off for a solid 5 months, saving money and building a client list before I quit my day job and went solo. I’m happy to say the hard work is paying off and business is good.
Has it been a smooth road?
Fortunately, things have been pretty good since I started my own business. I’d like to think a lot of that is thanks to years of working hard and just being consistently good to other people. Over time I have built relationships with some really great people who have been willing to help me along the way and I’m extremely grateful for that. In terms of my career as an architect, that had a rocky start. I graduated from college in the depths of the recession when nobody wanted to hire an architect, let alone someone with little experience. There were a good two years where I had a hard time finding any job at all. I managed to land a number of odd jobs ranging from roofing and insulating to working security at a local bar to designing fire protection systems. Luckily the economy picked up and an architecture firm that I had done an internship at years before called me up out of the blue and set me back on track. I do appreciate the opportunity that I had working on construction sites though, I feel that it gave me a better understanding of the details of how materials really come together that many architects lack.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I like to say that I don’t specialize in any particular type of Architecture. Part of what makes me unique is that I have a broad scope of experience in nearly every area of the profession. I feel that taking on a healthy variety of projects, both residential and commercial, keeps things exciting for me and keeps me constantly learning and growing as an Architect. Having said that, I have been extremely fortunate to break into designing bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Most prominently I designed the Apex Entertainment Center in Marlborough while working for my previous employer and currently I am designing their second location in Syracuse NY. The entertainment and bar/restaurant industry is very special to me because it focuses on my favorite part of Architecture and interior design, designing an immersive experience. Working with the client and determining what that experience is going to be as well as developing a specific brand identity that they want to embody with their built environment is critical to the process. Being able to turn that vision into reality is something that I am particularly proud of. Seeing that vision come to life and knowing that I helped my client realize their dream and start their business is the best part of my job. Knowing that thousands of people will visit those places year after year, making memories with their friends and family feels pretty good too.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Boston was a really great place to go to school and provided some great opportunities to get initial experience with internships at some really good companies. On the other hand, I don’t think that I could have started my business the way that I did in the city. Being in Worcester County, in my hometown of Lunenburg has been the perfect environment for me to build relationships and grow as a small business. It was also very important to me personally that I start this business in the community that I grew up in that gave so much to me over the years, so that I could give back. Volunteerism and being involved in the community is a big part of being a responsible business owner. It also doesn’t hurt that being an Architect is unique in the fact that geographic location isn’t so important. I have active projects across Massachusetts as well as in New York and Rhode Island.
Contact Info:
- Address: Lunenburg Massachusetts
- Website: www.dmcquaidarchitect.com
- Phone: 978-340-5922
- Email: dm@dmcquaidarchitect.com
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