SILL TALKS

Egbeiyon Leonard
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SILL TALKS is a podcast dedicated to providing information, finding new ways and developing strategies to help the Architect, Designer and Creatives build better businesses that are profitable and sustainable.In each episode, Arc Egbeiyon Leonard breaks down the core principles that makes architectural businesses worth going into hence helping you find the sweet spot between architecture and business.From Branding to Negotiation for architects to Learning how to find a Niche in Architecture as well as getting paid faster to Learning to deliver value through Architecture and many other ways to constantly grow your revenue and business as an Architect, Designer and a Creative in general.

  1. 1D AGO

    021 PREPARING FOR NIGERIA’S NEW TAX REGIME (2026) AS ARCHITECTS

    Preparing for Nigeria’s New Tax Regime (2026) as Architects. For years, many architects in Nigeria have survived on improvisation — mixing personal and business finances, paying for site expenses from their own pockets, invoicing casually, and hoping everything “balances out” at the end of the year. That era is over. From January 1, 2026, Nigeria enters a new tax regime — one that does not attack creativity, but exposes weak systems. And for architects, this shift goes far beyond compliance. It challenges how we run our firms, how we protect our cash flow, and whether we are truly operating as businesses or merely surviving project to project. In this deeply practical and no-nonsense episode of the SILL TALKS Podcast, Arc. Egbeiyon Leonard takes you inside the real, often uncomfortable realities of architectural practice in Nigeria. This is not tax theory. This is business truth. Leonard unpacks why many architects feel constantly busy yet financially drained, how blurred boundaries between personal and company finances quietly destroy profitability, and why funding site operations from your own pocket is one of the most dangerous habits in practice today. More importantly, this episode walks you through a clear operational reset for 2026,  showing you how to: Separate yourself from your firm properlyCreate simple but effective bookkeeping systemsRoute client payments and site expenses correctlyDocument purchases, site costs, and operations defensiblyBuild professional frameworks that protect your income and your peace of mindTo support this episode, a free, practical resource has been created specifically for architects: 📄 Architect’s Tax & Operations Readiness Checklist (2026) This checklist breaks down, step by step, how to assess your firm’s readiness, from banking structure and bookkeeping to invoicing, site operations, payroll, documentation, and mindset. It is designed to be used, not admired. 👉 Download the checklist here: Architect’s Tax & Operations Readiness Checklist (2026) This episode is not about fear.  It is about control, clarity, and maturity. If you are serious about building an architectural practice that can survive regulatory change, command respect, and grow sustainably in 2026 and beyond, this episode — and the checklist that comes with it — is essential listening. 🎧 Listen. Reflect. Download the checklist. Rebuild. Send an email to: Info@silldesigns.com to let us know what challenges you are currently facing in your business, to see how best we can help you overcome them.

    18 min

  2. DEC 15

    020 PARTNERSHIP IS NOT FRIENDSHIP

    Partnership Is Not Friendship Many great architectural practices, creative studios, and construction businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas or lack of talent; they fail because partnerships were built on emotion instead of structure. In this in-depth episode of The SILL TALKS Podcast, Arc. Egbeiyon Leonard unpacks one of the most misunderstood truths in business: Partnership is not friendship. Drawing from real experiences at Sill Designs, Leonard shares two powerful, real-world scenarios involving critical decisions with his business partner, moments where disagreement, pressure, and high stakes could have fractured the partnership, but were instead resolved through clarity, systems, and intentional structure. This episode goes far beyond theory. It explores the psychology, cultural realities, and practical challenges of partnerships in Africa’s architecture, construction, and creative industries — where trust, familiarity, and “vibes” are often mistaken for business compatibility. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why friendship alone is a dangerous foundation for business partnershipsHow structure protects partnerships from ego, emotion, and pressureThe difference between trust and true partnership alignmentHow pricing, client pressure, and scope creep expose weak partnershipsWhy most creative partnerships collapse under financial stressThe hidden partnership mistakes architects in Africa keep repeatingHow predefined systems and operating frameworks can save both the business and the relationshipThe 7 pillars that make partnerships sustainable, scalable, and conflict-resistantHow to enter partnerships with clarity and exit them without bitternessWhether you’re an architect, designer, creative entrepreneur, or business owner considering a partnership or already inside one that feels fragile, confusing, or emotionally draining. This episode will challenge how you think, how you decide, and how you build. This is not a motivational talk.  It’s a real, honest, and practical masterclass on partnerships — designed to protect your business, your relationships, and your future. 🎧 Press play. Learn deeply. Build smarter. Send an email to: Info@silldesigns.com to let us know what challenges you are currently facing in your business, to see how best we can help you overcome them.

    17 min

  3. DEC 8

    019 ADVERTISEMNENT IS NOT MARKETING

    In the architectural profession, few topics create more confusion, fear, and silence than this one: “Architects must not advertise.” For decades, this statement has shaped how architects behave, show up, communicate, and even define their own professional identity. But in today’s digital world—where clients discover projects online, trust is built on visibility, and influence flows through understanding—the refusal to be seen has quietly damaged the profession more than we admit. In this deep, transformative, 13mins+ episode, Arc. Egbeiyon Leonard takes architects across Africa on an unfiltered journey into the heart of the issue: ⭐ What’s the TRUE difference between advertising and marketing? ⭐ Why are architects still invisible in a world where visibility = credibility? ⭐ How did a rule designed to protect the profession end up weakening it? ⭐ Why are quacks, 3D artists, and builders more visible than trained architects? ⭐ How can architects ethically market themselves without breaking any regulations? ⭐ What does the future look like for architects who refuse to show up? This episode blends storytelling, ethics, business strategy, industry insight, and real-life examples that every architect, young or seasoned, can deeply relate to. You’ll learn: Why the term “advertisement” has been misunderstood for decadesHow marketing, when done ethically, positions architects as trusted leadersWhy silence is the most expensive mistake architects make todayPractical ways to build visibility without compromising professionalismHow to educate, inspire, and influence your audience through storytellingThe new mindset architects MUST embrace to stay relevant in the modern worldThis is not an episode about branding.  This is not an episode about motivational speaking.  This is a wake-up call for a profession that has stayed quiet for too long. If you’ve ever wondered why clients undervalue architects, why the profession keeps losing ground, or why your skill alone isn’t bringing the opportunities you deserve, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Who should listen? Architects at ANY stage of their careerArchitecture studentsDesign entrepreneursReal estate developersAnyone who wants to understand the evolving landscape of the built environmentIf you're ready to rethink your visibility, your influence, and your voice as an architect, press play. 🎧 The SILL TALKS Podcast — The show that helps architects build businesses that are sustainable and profitable. Send an email to: Info@silldesigns.com to let us know what challenges you are currently facing in your business, to see how best we can help you overcome them.

    13 min

  4. NOV 11

    018 EXPOSURE IS NOT PAYMENT

    You’ve heard it before: “Ah Architect, do this job for us — many jobs are coming. We’ll give you exposure.”In this brutally honest and humorous episode, Arc. Egbeiyon Leonard tears apart the exploitation culture in architecture — the one that disguises itself as “opportunity.” From clients who promise “visibility” to firms that expect “free concepts,” this episode speaks directly to every architect who’s ever been underpaid, overlooked, or emotionally blackmailed with the word “exposure.” You’ll hear: Why architects keep falling for the “exposure trap.”The real cost of doing free work (and how it silently kills your practice).How to tell good exposure from fake exposure.Practical, real-world strategies to say “no” politely but firmly.How to build your own visibility without selling your value short.With wit, Nigerian realism, and decades of experience, Leonard delivers what every architect needs to hear: Exposure doesn’t pay rent. Value does.🎧 Tune in, laugh a little, and leave with the clarity and confidence to stop working for free — forever. Send an email to: Info@silldesigns.com to let us know what challenges you are currently facing in your business, to see how best we can help you overcome them.

    12 min

  5. OCT 27

    017 WHY CHARGING LOW FEES WILL GIVE YOU EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS (AND OVERBEARING CLIENTS)

    Every architect knows that moment — when a client looks you and says, “Your fee is too high… I can't pay this!”It feels like a small compromise, a harmless adjustment to secure the job. But that’s often where the real problem begins. Because when you lower your fee to please a client, you don’t just reduce your price — you reduce your power. In this episode of The SILL TALKS Podcast, Arc. Egbeiyon Leonard, shares raw, real, and hard-earned lessons from practice — about how charging low fees often attracts overbearing clients, drains your confidence, and keeps you stuck in survival mode instead of growth. He breaks down:  ✅ Why lowering your fee doesn’t make clients value you more — it makes them question you.  ✅ The hidden cost of “cheap” projects that steal your time, peace, and creativity.  ✅ Practical ways to shift from survival pricing to value-based confidence.  ✅ Why having fewer, well-paying clients leads to deeper trust and lasting respect. This isn’t just a conversation about money — it’s about self-worth, boundaries, and building a practice that reflects your true value. 🎧 Tune in now, and remind yourself: You’re not charging high — you’re charging your worth. You’re not expensive — you’re Valuable.Send an email to: Info@silldesigns.com to let us know what challenges you are currently facing in your business, to see how best we can help you overcome them.

    13 min

  6. OCT 20

    016 EDUCATING CLIENTS EFFECTIVELY AS AN ARCHITECT

    Ever felt like your client just doesn’t “get it”? You’ve explained it three different ways…  You’ve sent drawings, even added labels…  Yet somehow, they’re still unsure — or worse, they’re pushing back. In this episode of The Sill Talks Podcast, I unpack one of the biggest reasons architectural projects go off track: poor client understanding. But here’s the honest truth — it’s not always the client’s fault.  It’s our job to lead, to explain, and to educate. This episode isn’t theory or fluff. I walk you through 7 practical, battle-tested steps for educating your clients clearly, confidently, and without frustration. You’ll learn how to: Simplify complex design ideas without dumbing them downUse visuals and language your clients actually understandAvoid costly miscommunications before they even startTurn objections into meaningful collaborationSet expectations from the very first conversationAnd transform confused clients into loyal brand ambassadorsI also share real project stories — like how educating a couple in Ondo State completely reshaped how they live in their home today.  📘 Plus: Learn how these strategies tie back to My bestselling book, The Practical Guide to Business for Architects — available now on silldesigns.com  👉 For a deeper perspective, listen alongside Episode 14: underpricing-and-how-it-is-killing-your-business, which explores how to charge what you are worth and have a consistent flow of projects and clients. So if you’ve ever said, “This client is stressing me,” this episode is for you. Let’s fix it — with empathy, structure, and strategy. 🎙️ Listen now.  ✅ Subscribe.  📤 Share with a fellow architect who needs this today. Send an email to: Info@silldesigns.com to let us know what challenges you are currently facing in your business, to see how best we can help you overcome them.

    16 min

  7. OCT 13

    015 7- POWERFUL SECRETS EVERY ARCHITECT MUST KNOW TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS FAST.

    Let’s be honest, in today's fast paced architecture industry,  talent alone doesn’t build a thriving practice.  You can design the most stunning spaces, yet still struggle with inconsistent income, late-paying clients, or a firm that feels like it’s running you. That’s the reality for many architects.  But it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of The SILL TALKS Podcast, I uncover 7 powerful secrets that can completely change the way you run your architecture business — not next year, but starting now. These are real lessons — forged from experience, mistakes, and breakthroughs in the field — that have helped our team and countless other architects move from survival to stability, and from stability to scale. Here’s what you’ll discover: 🔑 How to shift from architect to entrepreneur — and start thinking like a business leader, not just a designer.💡 Why visibility is the new currency, and how to position yourself where opportunities find you.🤝 The secret power of strategic partnerships that open doors your portfolio alone never could.⚙️ How systems create freedom and creativity, not constraints.💼 Why diversifying your income is the smartest way to build resilience.🌟 And how mastering client experience keeps your projects — and referrals — flowing effortlessly.This episode isn’t just about growing your business; it’s about reclaiming control of your career — about building something that gives you profit, purpose, and peace of mind. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or underpaid, this is the episode that will help you turn the corner. 🎙️ Listen now — and start building smarter, not just harder. 📘 Want to go deeper?  Get the eBook + Audiobook Combo of The Practical Guide to Business for Architects at https://www.silldesigns.com/category/all-products — your ultimate blueprint for running a profitable, respected, and future-ready practice. 💬 Got thoughts or challenges in your practice?  Email info@silldesigns.com — We ’d love to hear from you. ✨ Stay inspired — until the next SILL TALKS. #SILLTalksPodcast #BusinessOfArchitecture #ArchitectEntrepreneur #ArchitectureBusiness #DesignLeadership #ArchitectLife #CreativeStrategy #ArchitectSuccess Send an email to: Info@silldesigns.com to let us know what challenges you are currently facing in your business, to see how best we can help you overcome them.

    10 min

  8. AUG 26

    014 UNDERPRICING AND HOW IT IS KILLING YOUR BUSINESS

    After years in practice, one truth has become painfully clear: underpricing is one of the biggest traps architects fall into. We do it with good intentions, always wanting to win the client, secure the project, or simply stay busy. But in reality, underpricing is not a strategy, it’s a slow poison. It eats into your profits, undermines your credibility, and leaves you working twice as hard for half the reward. In this episode of The SILL TALKS PODCAST, I speak from both experience and observation about how underpricing silently kills architectural businesses. It doesn’t just affect your bottom line, it also reshapes how clients perceive you and sets a dangerous precedent for the entire industry. Here’s what we’ll explore together: The silent cost of cheap fees: How they drain your energy, time, and reputation.Why good architects underprice: The fears and pressures that push us there.The bigger picture: How underpricing lowers standards and weakens the profession as a whole.Reframing value: Understanding that clients don’t just buy drawings, they also buy expertise, trust, and outcomes.Practical steps: How to break free from survival pricing and confidently charge what your work is worth.👉 If you want actionable strategies to step into higher-value pricing, I encourage you to also listen to Episode 13: Strategies to Charging Premium Fees for Architects, where I share practical steps to help you transition. This episode isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness.  I have been there, and I know how tough those conversations with clients can be. But I also know that the moment you stop underpricing, you take back control of your practice, which is the goal we are here to achieve. Send an email to: Info@silldesigns.com to let us know what challenges you are currently facing in your business, to see how best we can help you overcome them.

    25 min
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About

SILL TALKS is a podcast dedicated to providing information, finding new ways and developing strategies to help the Architect, Designer and Creatives build better businesses that are profitable and sustainable.In each episode, Arc Egbeiyon Leonard breaks down the core principles that makes architectural businesses worth going into hence helping you find the sweet spot between architecture and business.From Branding to Negotiation for architects to Learning how to find a Niche in Architecture as well as getting paid faster to Learning to deliver value through Architecture and many other ways to constantly grow your revenue and business as an Architect, Designer and a Creative in general.

Information

  • Creator
    Egbeiyon Leonard
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 SILL TALKS
  • Show Website
    SILL TALKS