In this episode of Flying Solo, host Katie Kangas explores what it really means to fly. She begins with perspective—examining why choosing to step into the unknown and aiming for “blue oceans” can open up new horizons for both personal life and professional practice. Drawing inspiration from Blue Ocean Strategy by Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim, Katie reflects on how architects and solopreneurs can create fresh opportunities rather than competing in overcrowded markets. Flying becomes a metaphor for dreaming big and daring to venture into new territories.

Katie then shifts to how Solopreneurs must pivot in professional practice. Just as birds adjust midflight, entrepreneurs must cultivate adaptability and nimbleness. She highlights the precision of a hawk shifting direction in the air—its sharp instincts serving as a powerful model for business strategy when plans inevitably change. Like the hawk or even the falcon in flight, success often comes from being able to adjust quickly without losing momentum.

The conversation continues with possibility—the endless opportunities that flight symbolizes. Different models of business growth can be paralleled to birds such as the hummingbird, albatross, and swift, each with unique flight patterns. From rapid bursts of creative energy to long-distance endurance, these birds illustrate the many ways Solopreneurs can flourish. With the right mindset, the potential for growth, impact, and earning is limitless.

The episode concludes by recapping the three themes: Perspective, Pivot, and Possibility. Together, they form a guide to embracing the entrepreneurial journey. Referencing Atomic Habits by James Clear, Katie underscores how small, consistent steps can lead to extraordinary results. Join the Flying Solo community on Instagram and connect through Gabl Media to continue exploring what it means to build a practice—and a life—on your own terms.

To join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website.

Listen to more encouraging content on the Gabl Media platform including podcasts with CEU and HSW credit towards your licensure renewal. Consider joining the EntreArchitect Network by becoming a member or joining the free EntreArchitect Community Facebook Group.

Mark R. Page, founder of EntreArchitect and Gabl Media, has been building a community of small firm architects who are having tough conversations to improve their professional practice and live their best life every day.

In this episode of Flying Solo, host Katie Kangas sits down with New Jersey architect Vin Minkler, who has spent nearly a decade refining his solo practice. Vin has shaped his business around serving middle-class clients through smaller residential projects, managing dozens of remodels and additions at a time. Like a puffin—diving into the waves and catching multiple fish with its serrated beak—Vin keeps a tight hold on every project while balancing efficiency, quality, and client engagement.

Throughout the conversation, Vin shares the systems that allow him to manage such a high volume of work without losing focus on what matters most: his clients. He emphasizes the power of keeping things simple, leaning on tools like a whiteboard to track projects at a glance, and maintaining a running record of past zoning and code research to build on prior work. His “KISS” approach—Keep it Simple, Silly—reminds solo practitioners that even with repetitive projects, it’s essential to find one anchor point that keeps the design process personal and connected. For Vin, redrawing the building section provides that meaningful touchpoint.

Katie highlights three key takeaways from Vin’s practice: the importance of visible, low-tech systems like a whiteboard; the value of documenting past research to streamline future work; and the discipline of staying connected to the unique conditions of each project. Vin communicates promptly to clients because, “It’s better to say something than to say nothing.” While not every architect is built to manage dozens of projects simultaneously, Vin’s puffin-like persistence demonstrates how thoughtful systems and clear values can create a lean, client-focused practice. His insights offer inspiration for solopreneurs looking to balance structure, efficiency, and meaningful design in their own work.

Minkler Architecture & Design

• Website: www.minklerarchitecture.com
• Instagram: @minklerarchitecture
• www.facebook.com/MinklerArchitectureandDesign

To join this flying solo movement, you can follow Flying Solo Arch on Instagram where Katie posts content to encourage your business life. Find out which bird defines your marketing strategy with the Bird Quiz on the Flying Solo Website. Listen to more encouraging content on the Gabl Media platform including podcasts with CEU and HSW credit towards your licensure renewal. Consider joining the EntreArchitect Network by becoming a member or joining the free EntreArchitect Community Facebook Group. Mark R. Page, founder of EntreArchitect and Gabl Media, has been building a community of small firm architects who are having tough conversations to improve their professional practice and live their best life every day.