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Have you ever looked at a building and thought that it was beautiful? Like catch your breath beautiful?
I know I have! In my field, details are extremely important, so something as little as decorated elevator buttons excite me! I said it, yes, me.
I get excited by unique fixtures, exquisite building structures and décor that me feel as if the most expensive place in the world is my home. I know I’m not the only one! After 10 years of struggling to find my spot, I realized that there is more than one way to be a creative. Everyone has their own area of creativity that they excel in!
I had the opportunity to chat with Chandra Moore, a Detroit native that found her niche as a creative architecture.
Join us as we chat with her and learn more in regards to her creative journey and growing her COG Studios in Atlanta!
Bunnie: It’s an honor to sit down with you! Tell us a little about your brand and how you've come to this vastly successful peek in your career.
Chandra: I don’t know how I came to this peek in my career. Over the years I’ve never really paid any attention I have just focused on what I need to do and what I feel needs to exist in the world that we live in today
Bunnie: Architecture is usually a male dominated field! How have you managed to maneuver and become so successful?
Chandra: There are many women who have come before me. Those women have paved the way for the rest of us to stand where we are today. Like Norma Sklarek the first African American Licensed Architect to Zara Hadid. These woman have paved the way for us to work in this male dominated field. I don’t feel that I am successful, I feel that I am doing my purpose and just working like everyone else.
Bunnie: Do you have any tips/suggestions for women working in a male dominate field?
Chandra: As a woman in a male dominated field I would just recommend that you focus on your craft. Everyone is always going to have something negative to say. Woman included. They will always point out what you don’t have. Or what you are missing. It’s just part of being in any field, but as long as you stay focused all the credentials and everything that you need will eventual come to fruition.
Bunnie: Not only are you a woman in a male dominated industry, you’re a mother, wife and an entrepreneur! How do you balance wearing so many hats?
Chandra: I don’t. I have learned to block out times where I need to balance all of it. I remember my mother having to do that as well, so I just really learned from her. I don’t spend my time really even thinking about it, or complaining about it, because complaining does nothing. I pray for strength daily and somehow God gives me enough grace to make it through one more day.
Bunnie: Tell us about a time when you showed determination to continue as an entrepreneur?
Chandra: There was a time as a business owner, that my competition in Michigan attacked me from all sides. They did everything in their power that I did want to quit. They saw us growing so fast and flying across the country. I wanted to quit, but my team and some of the students I use to teach at the University of Detroit Mercy wouldn’t let me. They all encouraged me to keep moving as they never saw it was possible to own your own design firm. It’s not normal to start your own firm in our field. You attend school for 8 years, receive your degree in architecture and work for a very large firm. That’s every architects goal, and I did it for years. No one ever expects you to leave a large firm, so when you do and “succeed” they question everything you are doing.
Bunnie: Give me the three best qualities of your brand and what you offer!
Chandra: Three best qualities of our brand are We listen, we solve your problem in your budget, and it’s not only unique, but it will get you a return on your investment.
Bunnie: Give me an example of when you worked irregular hours?
Chandra: Working irregular hours is a norm for me. It’s just something our profession does on a regular basis.
Bunnie: Being a entrepreneur is a 24/7 job, how did you get ready for that?
Chandra: My parents were entrepreneurs, so I don’t know if I “prepared” for it. It’s truly all I know.
Bunnie: How did you acquire the ability to work under pressure to beat meet deadlines as an entrepreneur?
Chandra: College. It prepared me for the long hours and the grind. In Architecture it’s a passion position that we live and love.
Bunnie: What is your favorite inspirational point, place, to develop new brand developments?
Chandra: I do quite a lot of reflection. So I spent a quite a bit of time reviewing the problem the issue and making sure that I am trying to solve what needs to exist. I’m at a point in my career where I no longer just be able to build a build because I believe that it wants to exist.
Bunnie: Which current public figure, are you inspired by or appreciate the most?
Chandra: dmire a few public figures but I think I am more inspired and prouder of their determination more than anything like Tyler Perry and the determination to make room for his own vision it’s beautiful to see as I am here in Atlanta.
Bunnie: Coming from Detroit and transitioning to Atlanta, how has that experience been?
Chandra: The transition has been great I’ve been flying back-and-forth and it’s been great to be in Atlanta I wish I was here sooner there’s so much ground to cover but I am enjoying it day by day.
Bunnie: Tell us more about your development for the COG Studios?
Chandra: In this new transition of COG I am interested in creating development. Over the years I have designed many buildings and been a part of so much Architecture. However, I’m currently in the position where now I really just want to own make a difference within thriving urban communities. Our goal is to expand on what we have been doing as a studio, and develop a healthy lifestyle through design. We will impact the individuals through creating an experience through development. We are very excited about this opportunity and excited to share how we changed the technology aspect within a building.
Bunnie: Can you tell us the best piece of advice you have received and that has stood the test of time throughout your career?
Chandra: The piece of advice that I received was that there was no silver bullet to get here. Before I started my business I reached out to another Architect in my hometown in California. Mr. Grothe is an architect with a small firm in the valley. I asked him quite a few questions and the one thing that he told me was I need to have three things at all times. Faith, family, And dedication from my husband. He said as long as I keep those three things in tact that the business will thrive to where I want it to go. Eight years later, he was right.
Bunnie: It was a pleasure speaking with you thank you for joining us
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