were starting at square one. Thankfully, we were able to express that, and one client at a time began momentum that continued. These clients, who trusted us and took a chance with a new firm, were our lifeblood.” They never set out to be a big firm, quite the contrary. They wanted to do meaningful work. By focusing on that, they were able to serve the community in a variety of ways. They used, and still use, their mission statement: “People first, creating spaces that influence, motivate, inspire and uplift” as a litmus test for making hard decisions. These include which people to hire, how to balance good business with creativity and making commitments they can follow through with. They very specifically said that “they would not operate like a corporation or a bureaucracy” and that their decisions were not based on hitting specific profit targets. Prudent and fiscally responsible, yes. But doing so with people and working on projects that had an impact first and foremost. They leaned into their individual strengths: Becky’s experience in firm leadership, marketing, planning and design. Joe’s expertise in exceptional design and client leadership, Kelly’s technical prowess both in architecture and the programs needed to deliver architectural plans. They balanced each other out, and while far from perfect, they offset one person’s weaknesses with another’s strengths. They created an outstanding balance that lifted each other and the team. When the 2009 downturn came, their largest projects went on hold. They went back to those clients who trusted and supported them from day one. “It is because of them that we are here today — Brigham Young University, the DFCM, BYU-Idaho, Hemming Development, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We had steady work that helped us continue to grow even through the deep recession.” Building on that momentum, they remember a pivotal moment: landing the new Tooele Technical College project. Method Studio was the new kid on the block and underdogs to say the least. The team had strong personal experience, but not depth of firm experience that often reassures a selection committee. However, the client believed in them, and they won the job. Becky indicated that in a debrief, a client shared that “they sensed our sincerity, our passion for the work, and our desire to serve them at the highest level, and they took a chance on us.” It became clear their greatest strength is in that sincerity, that commitment to the mission statement. Becky said, “We really drive with our hearts. It has been a key to our ability to hire outstanding people, key to the marketing success and has led to the strength and power that comes from long-standing, trusting relationships.” That Tooele Tech win came in their earlier years, and now, 10 years after completing it, they have worked on every tech college in the state in planning, designing and building many new learning facilities. Another key project that contributed to Method’s growth is the Utah Valley 29
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