Melanie Hartwig-Davis - Secrets to Sustainable Life Revealed: 5 Minute Success - The Podcast, Episode 445

Melanie Hartwig-Davis, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, is the Founder and President of HD Squared Architects, an award-winning architecture, interiors, and consulting firm based in Annapolis, Maryland. With more than 25 years of practice, Melanie has built a reputation for design that is both beautiful and purposeful — integrating sustainability and resiliency into every project so that clients and communities are equipped to thrive for generations to come.

A licensed architect in Maryland and D.C. with reciprocity in all states, Melanie brings a rare combination of design creativity and civic leadership to her work. She has been recognized as Architect of the Year by the AIA Chesapeake Bay Chapter, earned sustainability and other awards for her projects, and has been featured in publications including Annapolis Home Magazine and Green Building and Design. She has served as Vice Chair of the Anne Arundel County Planning Advisory Board and is Policy Chair of the Arundel Rivers Federation.  She is an active voice in environmental policy at the state and county levels.

Melanie believes that everyone — regardless of background — deserves a well-designed, nurturing environment. It’s a philosophy that shapes not only her architecture practice, but her ongoing work consulting with nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations aligned around sustainable policy.

In this episode, Karen and Melanie discuss:

• Success Story of Melanie
• Commit to Get Leads
  • Be part of your community and follow your passion. As you are out in the community, you’ll be amazed at what can come for your business. 
• Consult to Sell
  • Be conscious of people’s needs. You have to be aware of what they love already and what their pain points are. Without understanding where they are at, you may step over what matters most to them. 
• Connect to Build and Grow
  • Work with a business coach – it is good to have a sounding board who can help you see the wider perspective of your business when you can’t see the forest for the trees. 
• Success Thinking, Activities, and Vision
  • When things are hard, focus on your core – your passions and core beliefs and values. When you’re moving in the right direction with that focus, you will find growth and success. 
• Sweet Spot of Success