Flying Solo with Katie Kangas

EntreArchitect // Gābl Media
  • 5.0 (1)
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Architect Katie Kangas shares stories and conversations with entrepreneur architects who utilize unique marketing strategies and business structures in their solo and small firms. Katie compares these practitioners to different birds to celebrate the diverse ways architects serve their clients. Listen along for inspiration to start or refine your own professional practice. My hope is to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs and architects to soar to new heights & embrace the freedom of flying solo.

  1. 3D AGO

    Ashley Mitlyng (House Wren)

    In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Ashley Mitlyng, founder of Mitlyng Design + Architecture, a Twin Cities–based residential practice focused on renovations and additions. Ashley’s work aligns with the House Wren—a bird known for thriving in tight, overlooked spaces. House Wrens don’t seek wide-open fields or blank slates. They nest inside existing structures, choosing awkward corners that others pass by. Through thoughtful, efficient moves, they transform these overlooked spaces into highly functional havens. This instinct mirrors Ashley’s approach to residential design: working within constraints, offering thoughtful options, and shaping spaces that support real life and honor the surrounding neighborhood. Together, Katie and Ashley explore three lessons inspired by the House Wren. First, the importance of finding the right fit - particularly when homeowners interview contractors. Second, they reflect on the power of small, overlooked spaces. Just as Ashley designs details that improve daily life—like smoothing kitchen flow or resolving awkward door swings—listeners are invited to examine the friction points in their own businesses. Finally, they discuss how Ashley’s practice filled a niche. Her practice is intentionally positioned among complementary designers and suppliers. Making her business more visible to potential clients and industry partners. Throughout the conversation, Katie and Ashley explore the realities of running a small architectural practice, balancing work and family life, and navigating the blurred line between living and working as entrepreneurs. Ashley shares how she digs deeper into practical details that smooth the flow of everyday life for her business and her clients. Website: Mitlyng DesignHouzz: Ashley Mitlyng, AIAFacebook: Mitlyng Design, LLCInstagram: @mitlyngdesign Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture. 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...

    56 min

  2. FEB 9

    Mehgan Elliot (Oxpecker)

    In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Meghan Elliott, a structural engineer, historic preservation expert, and founder of New History. Meghan shares how her career was shaped by early experiences with earthquake engineering and how that foundation led her to build a consulting practice focused on the complex realities of historic building redevelopment. Meghan describes her firm in three words: “outcomes-based, mission-driven, and interdisciplinary.” That clarity defines how she works with clients. Rather than offering a narrow scope of services, Meghan positions herself as a trusted expert who helps clients navigate the full ecosystem of historic projects—structural challenges, funding strategies, tax credits, regulations, and long-term feasibility. Her work is rooted in understanding not just the building, but the pressures, risks, and ambitions surrounding it. Meghan’s bird archetype is the Oxpecker—a small but essential bird that lives among much larger animals, removing pests and irritations that threaten their health. Like an oxpecker, Meghan integrates herself into large, complex projects and long-term client relationships, solving problems as they arise—and often before they’re even noticed. Her value lies in deep client knowledge, proactive communication, and the ability to quietly remove obstacles that could derail a project. Throughout the conversation, Meghan discusses how building strong, lasting relationships allows her to expand scope with existing clients rather than constantly chasing new ones. She also shares insights from launching her second venture, Jill Pine, where she applies her preservation expertise directly to real estate development and hands-on revitalization work. This episode explores what it means to be a true consultant—selling solutions, not just services—and how listening closely, collaborating deeply, and earning trust over time can create a sustainable, mission-driven solo practice. Meghan’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most impactful work happens not by flying ahead, but by staying close, paying attention, and solving the problems that matter most. Architecture Website: New HistoryDeveloper Website: JillpineArchitecture LinkedIn: New HistoryLinkedIn: Meghan ElliottInstagram: @newhistoryconsultants Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture. 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 a href="https://www.flyingsolo.live/" rel="noopener...

    43 min

  3. FEB 2

    Molly Dalsin (Weaverbird)

    In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Molly Dalsin, founder of Mesh Architecture, about building a practice rooted in human-centered design, community connection, and long-term impact. As an architect, educator, and researcher, Molly weaves teaching, research, and practice together—using each to inform and strengthen the others. Molly describes her firm in three words: human, interconnected, impact. That philosophy shapes how Mesh Architecture approaches housing, social spaces, and community-focused work. Rather than treating architecture as a finished object, Molly views it as a cultural output—one shaped through collaboration, research, and open exchange of ideas. Her practice prioritizes doing more with less, responding thoughtfully to context, and designing spaces that serve people beyond a single project or moment. Molly’s bird archetype is the Weaverbird, a symbol of resourcefulness, interconnection, and legacy. Like a weaverbird crafting intricate nests from found materials, Molly builds her practice by gathering insights from teaching, research, and community engagement—creating work that is both resilient and meaningful. Throughout the conversation, she shares how networking, inviting dialogue, and rethinking traditional business models allow solo practitioners to expand their impact without building large teams. Her story offers a grounded reminder that solopreneur architects don’t have to work in isolation to make a difference. By weaving together relationships, ideas, and disciplines, even a small practice can create architecture that endures—strengthening communities and shaping the future one thoughtful strand at a time. Website: Mesh ArchitectureUniversity of Minnesota: Molly Dalsin Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture. 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.

    49 min

  4. JAN 26

    Elizabeth Turner (Honeyguide)

    In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Elizabeth Turner, founder of Precipitate, a specialty architecture and consulting firm focused on passive house design, energy modeling, and performance-driven research. Elizabeth’s practice operates at the intersection of academia, community engagement, and real-world building outcomes. She pairs research with practice to create lasting buildings and infrastructure in our communities. Elizabeth’s practice mirrors a Honeyguide, a small African bird known for its remarkable symbiotic relationship with humans. The honeyguide can locate wild beehives, but it cannot open them alone. Instead, it guides people to the hive, relying on collaboration to access the reward. In return, both benefit from the sweetness inside. This partnership, built on trust, signaling, and shared purpose, reflects Elizabeth’s approach to practice. She doesn’t work in isolation. She guides students, research teams, communities, and partner firms toward opportunities they could not reach alone. Throughout the conversation, Elizabeth shares her journey of stepping away from traditional firm structures to build a hybrid practice. Her balance of grant writing, mentorship, and community-centered design has advanced her specialty in sustainability. She talks about the fear and uncertainty that comes from forging a new paths—and the freedom that follows when architects follow their curiosities. Through collaboration, Elizabeth has expanded her impact. She works on meaningful, large-scale initiatives while remaining a small, specialized firm. Three takeaways resonate with Elizabeth’s Honeyguide practice: the power of collaboration as a professional strength rather than a compromise; the courage required to move forward despite uncertainty; and the role of generosity in building lasting community impact. Elizabeth’s story challenges the myth that solo practitioners must work small or alone. Instead, her work shows how guiding others, sharing knowledge, and connecting disciplines can create healthier buildings, stronger communities, and a more resilient future for the profession. Precipitate: Architecture Planning Research Website: PrecipitateInstagram: @precipitateFacebook: Precipitate PLLCLinkedIN: Precipitate Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture. 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...

    56 min

  5. JAN 19

    Cheryl Fosdick (Loon)

    In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Cheryl Fosdick, founder of CF Design. Cheryl brings a deep passion for storytelling to her work, designing spaces shaped by Great Lakes landscapes and the nuanced use of light that transforms how people experience their homes. Cheryl practices in Duluth, MN. A city that invites people to enjoy the outdoors, even through the long freezing winters. She describes the unique connection between water and light, weather, and seasonality that shape the way people live and dwell. Her approach to architecture is thoughtful and unhurried. Each project begins with listening—to the land, to the client, and to the quiet cues that define a specific place. Cheryl describes herself as an “architect of a specific place,” designing homes that feel adventurous, enduring, and yet, invite the homeowner to be at ease. Cheryl’s practice can be seen in the common loon—an iconic bird in Minnesota. The lon has an unmistakable silhouette and haunting call that echoes across open water. Its essence represents calm confidence, deep awareness, and lasting memory. Like the loon, Cheryl’s work doesn’t demand attention. It draws people in. It creates presence. It invites them to stay. Throughout the conversation, Cheryl shares her journey of establishing a practice, navigating the architecture profession as a serial entrepreneur, and remaining deeply engaged in her community. She reflects on patience as a professional strength, adaptability as a creative tool, and the importance of understanding both site and story. The episode concludes with thoughtful advice for architects and designers seeking to build meaningful, place-based practices of their own. Website: CF DesignInstagram: @cfdesignltdFacebook: CF Design LTDLighting Studio: LUMstudio Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture. 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.

    1h 12m

  6. JAN 12

    Sara Imhoff (Bowerbird)

    In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Sara Imhoff, founder of Imprint Architecture, who designed her firm around personal connections and thoughtful design. After founding Imprint Architecture with her husband in 2008, they have experienced steady, intentional growth. Across residential and commercial work, Sara leads with relationships first, allowing design to grow from trust and understanding. Sara’s business is like a Bowerbird. Rather than hunting for connections, the bowerbird carefully curates its environment, shaping a setting that attracts the right partner. That same philosophy defines Sara’s work. She doesn’t chase clients through loud marketing or rapid expansion. Instead, she attracts them by being clear about who she is, how she works, and what she values. Every project is carefully composed through light, geometry, and detail, leaving a lasting imprint on the lives of the people who inhabit those spaces. And each project earns a name that expresses its unique story. Throughout the conversation, Sara reflects on her personal journey as a firm owner, sharing how her desire to “do her own design work” evolved into a practice built on trust, empathy, and long-term relationships. She describes growth not as a sudden leap, but as a series of thoughtful baby steps. She creates chemistry in professional relationships by taking the time to truly understand people’s stories. Sara transforms stories into projects and projects into partnerships and partnerships into enduring connections. Sara’s bowerbird leaves listeners with three key aspects of a relationship centric practice: the importance of imagining what’s possible before taking action; the value of investing in authentic client relationships; and the power of implementing change through deliberate, incremental steps. Together, these ideas form the rhythm of Imprint Architecture’s guiding words: imagine, implement, imprint. Sara’s story offers a quiet but powerful reminder that architecture isn’t just about what we build, but about the environments, relationships, and identities we shape along the way. Website: Imprint Architecture + Design LLCInstagram: @imprint.architectureFacebook: Imprint Architecture + Design, LLCPinterest: imprintarchitecture Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture. 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...

    58 min

  7. JAN 5

    Andrea Hammel Wollak (Raven)

    In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Andrea Hammel-Wollak, co-founder of HW² Design, about building a highly strategic, efficient architecture practice rooted in adaptability, collaboration, and good design for everyone. Andrea runs a two-person firm with her husband, John, and together they have spent over twelve years refining a way of working that pairs thoughtful design with practical execution. Andrea describes her firm in three words: “Good design for everyone, adaptable, flexible.” That philosophy shapes every project they take on. HW² Design focuses on creating spaces that are buildable, functional, and carefully considered—often working with small business owners, restaurants, and clients who need smart solutions rather than flashy excess. Their work blends aesthetics with logistics, ensuring each project functions as a true workhorse for the people who use it. Andrea’s bird archetype is the Raven, a symbol of intelligence, strategy, and collaboration. Ravens are known for using tools and working alongside wolves to achieve shared goals. In Andrea’s practice, that collaboration shows up through strong contractor relationships, quick communication, and a deep respect for the expertise of others. Rather than working in isolation, Andrea stays fully engaged with builders and consultants, keeping projects moving forward through clarity, trust, and responsiveness. Throughout the conversation, Andrea shares how her entrepreneurial upbringing shaped her comfort with uncertainty, how she leverages technology and systems to run an efficient firm, and how she built her business around her family so she can stay present both at work and engaged in her kid’s activities.. Her story offers a grounded reminder that success as a solopreneur doesn’t require being louder or bigger—just smarter, more intentional, and quick to communicate. HW² Design Website: HW² DesignInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hw2designFacebook: HW2 Design + Architecture, llc Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture. 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.

    51 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    Heather Rose Dunning (Falcon)

    In this episode of the Flying Solo Podcast, host Katie Kangas speaks with Heather Rose Dunning, founder of Yellow Dog Studio, about building a design practice rooted in excellence, trust, and precision. Heather is a serial entrepreneur who has launched and led multiple design firms by assembling highly specialized, high-performing teams that integrate seamlessly with their clients. Heather describes her firm in three words: “Just the A-Team.” That clarity shows up in every aspect of her work. Rather than spreading herself thin, Heather builds focused teams of designers, architects, engineers, and contractors who are selected specifically for each project. Every engagement stays in the hands of the people best equipped to deliver results. Heather’s bird archetype is the Falcon — a symbol of focus, speed, and purpose. Like a falcon trained by a falconer, Heather’s teams wait for the right target before taking flight. When they move, they do so with confidence and precision, becoming a trusted extension of their client’s organization. Throughout the conversation, Heather shares how her businesses are shaped by her personal values, how she embeds herself deeply within client teams, and why trust — not transaction — is the foundation of long-term success. Yellow Dog Studio Website: Yellow Dog StudioInstagram: @yellow_dog_studioFacebook: Yellow Dog Studio Season 2 of the Flying Solo Podcast is sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation, whose mission is to invest in excellence, leadership, discovery, and equity within the profession of architecture. 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.

    55 min
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About

Architect Katie Kangas shares stories and conversations with entrepreneur architects who utilize unique marketing strategies and business structures in their solo and small firms. Katie compares these practitioners to different birds to celebrate the diverse ways architects serve their clients. Listen along for inspiration to start or refine your own professional practice. My hope is to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs and architects to soar to new heights & embrace the freedom of flying solo.

Information

  • Creator
    EntreArchitect // Gābl Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 EntreArchitect // Gābl Media
  • Show Website
    Flying Solo with Katie Kangas

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