In this episode of Architecture Business Club, Jon Clayton introduces Joshua Ayettey, a chartered architect and founder of JADC Studio and Scattered Hub, a mentorship community for aspiring architects. Joshua discusses his personal struggles through architectural training, leading to his passion for mentoring and creating Scattered Hub. The group focuses on providing support, confidence boosts, and guidance to new graduates navigating the architectural field. The conversation covers the group's organic growth, its impact on members, and Joshua's inspiration and future aspirations for Scattered Hub. This episode also highlights practical advice for building community groups and the importance of tackling failures positively.

Today’s Guest

Joshua Ayettey is a chartered architect and creative problem solver who is passionate about improving the way people live through good design and mentoring the next generation of problem solving designers. He’s also the founder of JADC Studio and Scattered Hub.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction

00:31 Our Guest: Joshua Ayettey

01:07 Joshua's Background and Scattered Hub

01:45 Organic Growth of Scattered Hub

02:02 Mentoring Journey and Early Struggles

03:09 Helping Others and Building Confidence

04:54 Founding JADC Studio

05:45 Formalising Scattered Hub

06:08 Personal Struggles and Mental Health

07:37 Failures as Catalysts for Growth

08:27 Jon's Struggles That Led To This Show

09:20 Setting Up the Group and Formal Arrangements

10:13 Creating a Peer-to-Peer Platform

11:38 Expanding Beyond Architecture

13:01 Community and Collaboration

14:12 Wins and Success Stories

14:22 Building Confidence and Self-Esteem

17:16 Personal Motivation and Influences

20:09 Future Vision for Scattered Hub

20:49 Collaborative Projects and Ecosystem

24:17 Encouragement to Test Ideas

26:14 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

27:25 Encouraging Young People in Architecture

28:56 Resource Recommendations and Learning

29:40 AI and Future of Architecture

31:39 Connecting with Joshua Online

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Key Takeaways

Don't Be Afraid to Fail

You can learn a lot from your failures, even if you can't see it at the time. Joshua failed his final year and had to repeat it. He also failed his part three exam the first time. But these failures taught him important lessons that helped him later. When you fail, it doesn't mean you should give up. It means you're learning something that will help you in the future.

Help Others Along Your Journey

When you're struggling with something, you can still help other people who are facing similar problems. Joshua struggled during his training, but he still helped other students with their work. By helping others, you build confidence in yourself and create a positive effect that spreads to more people. You don't need to wait until you're perfect to start helping others.

Surround Yourself with the Right People

When you're going through tough times, you need people around you who can support you and remind you of your strengths. Joshua almost quit everything, but people around him helped him see that he was being too hard on himself. Find people who reflect where you want to be and who can help you see things clearly when you're struggling.

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Jon Clayton discusses the issue of burnout with career and wellbeing coach Anna Wolas. The conversation digs into what burnout is, how to recognise its signs, and how it differs from stress. Anna explains the reoccurring nature of burnout and its connection to a misalignment between personal values and external expectations. She also outlines common causes of burnout, such as organisational changes, unrealistic workloads, and lack of recognition. Anna shares her DCP framework (Discover, Create, Perform) that helps professionals recover from burnout, prevent it in the future, and activate their full potential. Through practical strategies and real-life success stories, this episode aims to equip architects and business leaders with the tools they need to thrive in their careers without succumbing to burnout.

Today’s Guest

Anna Wolas is a Career & Wellbeing Coach who helps architects and leaders achieve (& earn) more. Anna's approach helps reduce stress, prevent burnout, and create a sustainable, values-driven definition of success.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction

01:22 Understanding Burnout

02:02 The Burnout Cycle

05:30 Burnout vs. Stress

06:27 Healthy Stress Management

09:27 Signs of Burnout

09:45 Physical Symptoms of Burnout

10:04 Psychological Symptoms of Burnout

10:32 Behavioural Symptoms of Burnout

11:00 Occupational Symptoms of Burnout

11:25 Personal Symptoms of Burnout

11:51 Common Causes of Burnout

11:56 Organisational Factors

12:42 Personal Factors

13:07 Lack of Recognition

13:47 Fear-Based Performance

14:15 Conflict in Relationships

14:34 Overcoming Burnout

14:55 Ineffective Solutions To Burnout

18:45 Effective Strategies For Burnout

18:55 The DCP Framework

19:34 Step 1: Discover

22:32 Step 2: Create

25:00 Step 3: Perform

28:03 Success Stories Of The DCP Framework

28:11 Case Study: High-Level Professional

29:15 Achieving Clarity

30:55 Promotion and Beyond

31:55 Main Takeaways

32:21 Act Now

33:32 Final Thoughts

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Key Takeaways

Burnout is a cycle, not just tiredness

You need to understand that burnout isn't the same as feeling stressed. Stress can actually help you get things done if you have time to rest afterwards. But burnout happens when stress goes on for too long without recovery. It keeps coming back again and again if you don't fix the real problem. Burnout means you're living by other people's rules and goals instead of your own. When this happens over and over, your body and mind get worn out.

Spot the warning signs early

You can notice burnout in five main areas of your life. Physical signs include feeling tired all the time, headaches, and sleep problems. Mental signs include brain fog, forgetting things, and feeling hopeless. You might also get more emotional, angry, or eat differently. At work, you lose your passion and make more mistakes. In your personal life, your relationships suffer and you feel like you're not doing well anywhere. The sooner you spot these signs, the easier it is to fix the problem.

Quick fixes don't work - you need a proper plan

Taking holidays, doing more exercise, or waiting for a project to finish won't solve burnout on their own. Even changing jobs won't help if you don't fix the real causes. You need a proper strategy that helps you understand yourself, create healthy boundaries, and use your real skills and strengths. Don't wait to deal with burnout - the longer you leave it, the harder it becomes to fix.

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Connect with Anna Wolas on LinkedIn 🤝

Jon Clayton welcomes Tim Lewis, a seasoned podcaster and content creator who's been exploring AI and automation. Together, they discuss the distinctions between AI and automation, practical applications in day-to-day business, and the benefits of locally hosted AI over cloud-based tools. They also address common fears about AI replacing jobs. Gain valuable insights on leveraging AI for tasks like image and video generation, project management, and client presentations. Tim shares various tools and strategies to enhance productivity and maintain privacy when using AI. Learn how AI can help you build a better, more efficient business.

Today’s Guest

Tim Lewis is a long term podcaster and content creator. Tim’s background is in books and publishing, but he’s recently deep dived into AI Automation and AI Image and Video Generation, and how it can be used to help small business owners in their day to day work.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction

00:54 Meet Tim Lewis: AI and Automation Expert

01:40 What's The Difference Between AI and Automation Tools?

03:10 Practical Examples of AI in Automation

04:19 AI's Role in Simplifying Tasks

06:37 There's More To AI Than ChatGPT

07:35 Use Cases for AI Tools for Architects

10:23 Advanced AI Tools for Visualisation

12:18 Organizing Information with AI

14:22 Locally Hosted AI vs. Cloud-Based AI

16:51 Privacy and Security in AI

22:59 Using AI for Client Presentations

24:26 Should We Be Worried About AI Replacing Us

28:55 Embracing AI and Automation

29:43 Additional AI Tools and Resources

30:38 Connecting with Tim Lewis

31:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Key Takeaways

AI and automation are different tools that work together

AI is like a computer programme that thinks a bit like a human. It can look at a picture and tell you what's in it, or help you create images and videos. Automation is different - it's about setting up steps that happen automatically, like "when I get an email, add it to a spreadsheet." The exciting part is when you put them together. AI can now do the thinking parts that used to need a person, which makes automation much more powerful.

You can use AI for more than just writing

Most people think AI is only good for writing text, but that's just the start. You can use AI to create pictures and videos from your sketches, organise your notes and research, and even make presentations faster. For example, if you draw a simple building sketch, AI can turn it into a realistic image showing what it would look like in real life. This is really helpful if you work with designs or need to show ideas to clients.

AI won't replace you, but someone using AI might

You don't need to worry about robots taking your job. But you should pay attention to other business owners who are learning to use AI tools. They can work faster, finish projects quicker, and offer better prices because AI helps them save time. The key is to start learning about these tools now, so you can use them to do the boring tasks faster and spend more time on the important work you enjoy.

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Jon Clayton reflects on the challenges and achievements of 2025, highlighting milestones in his podcasting journey and personal life. Jon shares his Christmas break activities, introduces a new service aimed at enhancing your online presence, and outlines exciting updates for the Architecture Business Club in 2026, including fortnightly episodes, YouTube content, and potential sponsorships. He invites listeners to contribute their thoughts and challenges to shape future content, all while offering a special gift to kick-start the New Year.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction

02:05 Personal Highlights of 2025

02:48 Christmas Break Activities

03:34 Exciting New Service Announcement

03:50 What's New for Architecture Business Club in 2026

05:41 Special Gift for the New Year

07:42 Engage with Us and Share Your Challenges

08:21 Wrapping Up and What's Next

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Key Takeaways

It is good to look back and learn from the past year. Jon shares both the hard times and the happy moments from 2025 - it’s normal to have ups and downs.

Trying new things and making changes can help you grow. This show is adding video episodes, changing how often episodes come out, and offering new services - being open to change can bring new opportunities.

Staying connected with your audience is important. Jon invites you to share your challenges and ideas, and encourages you to subscribe and join in, so you can be part of this community.

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Subscribe on YouTube (for upcoming video episodes!) 📺

Send a Voicemail to the show (we listen to every message!) 📢

Curious about podcasting? Click here to book a chat with Jon 🎧

Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝

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👇 And if you enjoyed this episode…

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

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Next Episode

Jon is joined by Tim Lewis to explore the difference between AI and Automation.

Jon Clayton delivers a brief special episode to thank listeners for their support. He shares notable statistics from 2025, including the release of 52 episodes, the 100th episode celebration in September, and record downloads in October. He also recounts the top three episodes of the year based on download numbers, highlighting listener favourites. Jon encourages you to take a break from the podcast to enjoy the festive season.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction and Holiday Greetings

00:35 Podcast Achievements and Milestones

01:29 Top Episodes of 2025

02:57 Future Plans and Guest Invitations

03:54 Holiday Sign-Off and Advice

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Key Takeaways

Keep Going, Even When It’s Hard

If you keep working on something, like making a podcast every week, you can reach big goals. You might even do better than most people if you don’t give up.

People Like to Hear Real Stories

When you share true stories about your life or work, others want to listen. You can help people by telling them what you have learned and what you have gone through.

Take Time for Family and Friends

It’s good to stop working sometimes and spend time with people you care about. You should enjoy special days, like Christmas, with your family and friends.

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Curious about podcasting? Click here to book a chat with Jon 🎧

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👇 And if you enjoyed this episode…

Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.

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Next Episode

Tune in next week for a New Year's episode previewing 2026.

In this episode of Architecture Business Club, hosted by Jon Clayton, productivity mentor Louise Miller joins to discuss a new definition of productivity that focuses on doing what's important rather than doing more in less time. Key topics include the importance of creating space over relying on systems, how productivity begins before taking action, and why recognising capacity can prevent burnout. The episode also explores practical strategies like taking a pause to reassess goals and the benefits of changing environments. Louise's insights are aimed at helping business owners achieve more with a sense of fulfilment and well-being.

Today’s Guest

Louise Miller is a productivity mentor, the founder of Make It Happen Club and host of the Unfrazzle podcast. She’s on a mission to change the world by helping her clients change the world. She partners with coaches, consultants and community-builders who have a big, exciting vision, helping them land their ideas in reality, reach more people and make a bigger impact, whilst being kind to themselves along the way.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction to Productivity

00:42 Meet Louise Miller

01:30 Challenging Traditional Productivity

02:26 The Importance of Doing What's Important

03:21 The Busy Trap

04:34 Productivity Before Action

04:45 The Treehouse Analogy

09:32 The Progress Cycle

10:56 Space vs. Systems

11:47 The Chaos of Systems

14:23 The Emotional Weight of Productivity

15:52 The Vicious Cycle of To-Do Lists

17:04 Six Pillars of Productivity

17:44 The Life-Friendly Approach

19:01 The Rhythm of Productivity

19:30 The Neuroscience of Productivity

22:50 The Real Reasons for Not Getting Things Done

25:23 The Power of the Treehouse

29:49 Final Thoughts and Resources

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Key Takeaways

Prioritise Space and Reflection Over Constant Action

True productivity is not about relentless activity or doing more in less time, but about creating space to pause, reflect, and make intentional choices. Taking time to step back. Louise’s “treehouse” analogy allows for clarity, better decision-making, and prevents the cycle of busywork and burnout.

Focus on What’s Important, Not Just What’s Urgent

Productivity isn’t simply ticking off tasks. Instead, it’s about identifying and working on what truly matters, rather than being caught up in the “busy trap”. This means aligning your actions with your values and long-term goals, and letting go of tasks that do not serve your bigger purpose.

Systems Are Secondary to Self-Awareness and Capacity

While productivity systems and tools can be helpful, they are not a cure-all. If you’re overwhelmed or unclear, new systems will only organise your chaos. The real key is self-awareness: understanding your own needs, capacity, and life context, and building a rhythm of regular reflection. Productivity is personal. Experiment to find what works for you, and don’t feel broken if someone else’s method doesn’t fit.

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Connect with Louise Miller on LinkedIn 🤝

Take Louise’s Productivity Quiz 🖥️

Curious about podcasting? Click here to book a chat with Jon 🎧

Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝

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Want to streamline your least favourite tasks? In this episode of Architecture Business Club, host Jon Clayton explores innovative ways to leverage AI for automating routine and time-consuming tasks in architecture. Joined by Bryon McCartney, CEO of Archmark, the discussion covers identifying tasks AI can optimise, the Teach framework for deciding what to automate, and practical tips for training AI to match your unique tone. Bryon shares insights on creating efficient workflows using AI, recounts his experiences enhancing his agency's profitability through AI integration, and underscores the importance of starting small for those new to AI. Additionally, the episode details Bryon's approach to building an AI-powered advisory board and a successful workshop using AI tools, emphasising the role of AI in freeing up time for creative and strategic work.

Today’s Guest

Today's guest is Bryon McCartney, CEO of Archmark, a leading business coaching, branding, and marketing firm working exclusively with architecture firms. Bryon has more than 35 years of experience and has led digital marketing initiatives for Calvin Klein, General Motors Europe, Lipton Foods, and many others. He has founded and led six successful creative service firms since 2002 and has helped more than 5,000 architects transform their practices. He's the only Business Made Simple, Small Business Flight School, and StoryBrand certified coach serving the architecture industry, and he's on a mission to help 10,000 firm leaders by 2030.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction: Tackling Your To-Do List with AI

00:47 Welcome to Architecture Business Club

01:06 Meet Bryon McCartney: Transforming Architecture Firms

01:51 The Power of AI in Architecture

05:42 Identifying Tasks for AI Automation

06:04 Streamlining Meeting Notes and Emails with AI

11:20 The TEACH Framework for AI Automation

14:37 Treating AI Like a Summer Intern

20:17 Balancing Instructions for AI

21:14 Five-Step Formula for Writing AI Prompts

22:59 Creating a Blog Post with AI

24:39 Structuring Your AI Prompts

25:15 Avoiding Common AI Pitfalls

26:11 AI's Impact on Agency Profitability

26:32 Early Experiences with AI

27:13 Adopting AI Tools in Business

28:07 Streamlining Client Onboarding with AI

29:54 AI-Powered Workshops and Presentations

31:29 Efficiency Gains and Profitability Boost

31:49 Using AI in Podcast Production

32:40 Building an AI Advisory Board

35:38 Getting Started with AI

39:10 Choosing the Right AI Tools

41:00 Creating AI-Powered Workshops

46:05 Final Thoughts on AI Integration

50:15 Connecting with Bryon McCartney

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Key Takeaways

View AI as a powerful tool to free up your time by automating repetitive and routine tasks. By letting AI handle admin, meeting notes, and standard email responses, you can focus more on creative and strategic work that you truly enjoy.

You need to approach AI like you would a summer intern: provide clear instructions, context, and feedback. AI is not a magic solution; it requires you to define what a good result looks like and to iterate, refining your prompts and expectations as you go.

You will benefit most from AI if you start small, choosing tasks you know well and can clearly explain. As you build confidence, you can gradually integrate AI into more areas of your work and life, ultimately gaining a competitive edge and improving your efficiency.

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Connect with Bryon McCartney on LinkedIn 🤝

Learn more about our guest’s services...

Jon Clayton and guest Louise Brogan discuss the importance and strategic use of LinkedIn company pages. You’ll learn the distinct roles of LinkedIn profiles and company pages, how to properly set up and manage a company page, and the type of content to post. Louise shares valuable insights on leveraging a company's LinkedIn page to boost visibility, attract talent, and enhance credibility. The episode also covers how small business owners and larger teams can optimise their LinkedIn presence and the reasons behind these strategies.

Today’s Guest

Louise Brogan is a Consultant, YouTuber, Podcaster and International speaker. Louise works with small businesses and professionals who want to raise their visibility on LinkedIn and YouTube. She is also a Small Business Champion in the UK. Her proudest work moments are meeting the King at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her work and getting her coveted silver play button for YouTube.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction to LinkedIn Company Pages

01:23 Understanding LinkedIn Profiles vs. LinkedIn Company Pages

02:08 Creating a LinkedIn Company Page

03:19 The Importance of Company Branding

07:40 SEO Benefits of LinkedIn Company Pages

08:03 Optimising Your LinkedIn Company Page

08:50 LinkedIn's AI and Algorithm Updates

10:04 Filling Out Your Company Page Details

10:18 The Value of Company Values

13:49 Posting on Your LinkedIn Company Page

14:38 LinkedIn Company Page Content Strategy for Solopreneurs

16:36 Balancing LinkedIn Personal Profiles and LinkedIn Company Pages

17:38 Leveraging Your Team for LinkedIn Success

18:25 Client Success Stories

22:43 Project-Based Content Ideas for LinkedIn

24:38 Employee Advocacy on LinkedIn

25:25 LinkedIn Training and Workshops

26:00 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

28:39 Free Resources and Conclusion

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Key Takeaways

Establish a LinkedIn Company Page for Professional Credibility

Even if you are a sole trader or a small business, having a LinkedIn company page is essential. It allows you to showcase your brand, display your logo, and provide a professional 'shop front' for potential clients and collaborators. This increases your chances of being discovered by your target audience and lends credibility to your business.

Maintain Consistent and Strategic Posting

Regularly update your company page, ideally once a week or at least fortnightly, to demonstrate that your business is active and engaged. Share project updates, company news, and team achievements. Remember to write posts from the company’s perspective, which differs from the more personal tone used on individual profiles.

Empower and Involve Your Team in Advocacy

Encourage your team members to engage with and share company page content on their own LinkedIn networks. Explain the purpose and benefits of this advocacy, as it amplifies your reach and can generate more leads and business opportunities. Providing guidance and training ensures everyone understands how to contribute effectively.

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Get Louise’s Free LinkedIn Success Guide 🖥️

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