Korb Tredo Architects, Inc.
Address: 790 N Milwaukee St. Suite 210, Milwaukee
Year founded: 2006
Product or service offered: Full-service architectural and interior design services with an emphasis on sustainable design and urban renewal.
Projected 2014 revenue: $3 million
Principals: Jason Korb, co-founder; Jeff Tredo, co-founder; Kathleen Laird
Target clientele: Colleges and universities, public and private primary and secondary schools, manufacturers, commercial real estate developers, multi-family and mixed-use urban developers, student housing developers, industrial and distribution center owners and developers
Business organization memberships: American Institute of Architects, Association of Licensed Architects, International Interior Design Association, American Society of Interior Designers, Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, Society of College and University Planners, Rotary Club of Milwaukee
What has fueled your company’s growth? “Attracting and retaining talented, experienced, and highly creative people. Building and maintaining long-term client relationships. Leveraging technology, particularly BIM software, and also having fun.”
What is the biggest obstacle to your company’s growth? “Of course, managing the growing pains of a new, rapidly expanding company and competing against well-established firms is a challenge. However, the biggest obstacle would be failure to innovate as we see technology and demographic shifts continuously impacting our city and our world.”
Do you plan to make any changes in your company in the coming months? “We are currently planning and designing new offices in a soon-to-be-announced location to house our growing team, and adding to our design leadership team.”
Who are the business people, locally or nationally, whom you admire? And what traits do those people exhibit that make you admire them? “We admire anyone in business that launched pre-recession and has survived the last six years—especially in the design and construction industries. Our industry experienced a depression-level collapse, and it required great perserverance to stay in business and survive into what is (we hope) a long-term recovery.”
What is the outlook for the business conditions of your industry over the next several months? “We are enjoying an uptick in construction planning across many sectors, and are optimistic about the next few quarters.”
What is your company’s most important growth strategy right now? “We are following our clients into different markets around the country, as well as adding new client relationships. Additionally, we continue to search for and add the best talent in our field.”
