Standish of Open Atelier Architects: Encouraged to go after dreams

Name: Nicole Standish Title: Marketing Director Company Name - Open Atelier Architects Follow my company on Twitter @ OA_Architects What year did you start your career in commercial real estate: 2008 Follow me on Twitter @ @MarketWithNic What recent project or transaction are you most proud of? I developed and launched and now run a website and conversation platform that highlights the challenges and successes of small-mid sized cities as their urban centers begin to repopulate. The site, Urban Syrup (www.urbansyrup.com), covers everything from filling vacant commercial spaces to infrastructure and urban planning. I have seen many conversations grow from the content that we share and I am proud of the way it has sparked public interest in making smart growth decisions for our cities. What recent honor, achievement or recognition has meant the most to you and why? I had the opportunity to lead a design competition called Canstruction for the past two years. The event features teams of architects and construction industry professionals who create giant structures out of canned goods. I was fortunate enough to work with the Great New York State Fair to make the event a fair competition and gain great exposure for the work that we do as architects and also in the community. In the two years that I ran the competition close to 20, 000 pounds of food was donated to the local food bank. There really isn't a better feeling. Who or what has been the strongest influence on your career and why? My good friend Jamillah Muhammad is an amazing woman that I met while working at an architecture firm in Reston, Virginia. She is a strong leader and a passionate volunteer for habitat for humanity. She has encouraged me to go after my dreams and to make a positive impact while doing so. What is the first thing you do when you arrive in the office in the morning? Fire up the coffee machine! I am the first one in the office in the morning. I enjoy the quite time and try to get any writing or heavily focused efforts for the day out of the way before the office fills up. What time management strategies do you find to be the most effective for you? Multi-tasking is an important skill set and I am pretty good at managing multiple projects. I have learned however, that I produce much better work when I can truly focus on each task at hand. I allow myself a certain amount of time for each activity and try to close out the rest of the distractions while completing the task at hand. What is the best advice you have received and who was it from? `Keep pushing yourself to do better, help others, and love more, my good friend and entrepreneur - Timothy Bennett, Central New York FunFlicks, Indoor/Outdoor Movies List 3 women that you would like to have drinks / dinner with and where would you go? Zenia Mucha (Disney Executive) Hilary Clinton Betty White Anywhere is Bali because it sounds so peaceful and glamourous at the same time. What is your favorite quote? Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. ~Anais Nin What did you want to be when you grew up? I went through the teacher and veterinarian phase but somewhere in high school I really grew attached to the idea that I could help business grow through creative communications. By accident, I found a passion for economic development, real estate and architecture and I feel blessed to be able to love going to work every day.