Green	Miller

Best advice to share: Grandmother knows best

Each week in Taking Care of Business, marketing professionals David Green and Teresa Miller share business tips from Brentwood executives and entrepreneurs. If you know someone they should consider for a future interview, please email news@brentwoodhomepage.com. Put Taking Care of Business in the subject line.

Michael Hindman came to Tennessee in 1987 to open an office for a Houston-based architecture firm. In 1991 he went

Architect Michael Hindman

Company data H. Michael Hindman Architects PC Headquarters: 1607 Westgate Circle Brentwood, TN 37027-8076 Contact: (615) 370-3252 mhindman@hmharchitects.com www.hmharchitects.com/

off on his own with H. Michael Hindman Architects PC and has built his Brentwood-based practice into a successful, diversified firm. He spoke with David Green for this interview.

How did your business initially position itself in the marketplace?

We specifically came to Tennessee in 1987 to provide quality retail design. It was, we believed, an underserved market. Retail continues to be our most active segment.

Was there a key change in positioning that led to your current success?

The building industry certainly moves in cycles. We rightly judged that diversification in services would better position our firm. Consequently, in recent years our projects have included office buildings, healthcare facilities, restaurants, interiors, industrial and institutional buildings, and mixed-use developments.

What was the insight that led you to change direction?

No great insight, just common sense. Having expertise in multiple arenas is better than in just one. However, in 2010, diversification is not enough. Talent and hard work are not enough. Today it takes patience, perseverance and creative pursuit.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

My grandmother gave me a lot of advice, as grandmothers are wont to do. One was “be good, be sweet, be kind, but be hard boiled.” It was late in life that I realized that this was really business advice, basically, “be reasonable, but stick to your principles.”

The second adage was “neb de gelt”, which in Yiddish means “get the money.” Probably the best advice for today.

What would you do now if you had to start over in your business career? (Not including what you are now doing.)

First, let me say that I still love the practice of architecture. We are problem solvers and I enjoy the challenges. The real rewards, however, are when buildings actually turn out like as they are envisioned.

But if I were to try something different, it would be a toss up between elementary school teacher, minister, developer or Chippendale dancer.

What is the greatest business challenge you have faced? How did you handle it?

Starting my current company in another downturn economy in 1991 and going for about 18 months with no personal income was a challenge. I handled it by having a very supportive wife and having faith that there would be better times ahead. The current economy is, of course, a greater challenge. Faith worked in 1991 and it will work in 2010.

What one business tip would you give to a Brentwood business entrepreneur?

Listen to your grandmother.