How this Architect became more selective with clients using Monograph

Multiple Systems, No Single Truth

Envisage Architecture was managing their finances through a fragmented collection of spreadsheets and various systems. As both architect and business owner, Wendy Klepcyk needed to track project performance while focusing on design work, but their current approach made financial clarity nearly impossible.

The firm's primary spreadsheet alone contained four or five different tabs, each attempting to capture different aspects of their business. Many growing practices start with this piecemeal approach, but it creates confusion rather than the clear financial picture leaders need to make informed business decisions.

Envisage needed what Wendy calls "one point of truth"—a unified system that could bring all their financial tracking together in a way that actually supported strategic planning rather than adding to the daily complexity of running a practice.

"Before Monograph, we had a lot of spreadsheets and various systems to try to manage our finances."
– Wendy Klepcyk, Principal, Envisage Architecture

Building Proposals on Historical Data

Wendy Klepcyk recognized that creating accurate proposals required more than experience and intuition—she needed access to historical project data. Without understanding how long similar projects had actually taken or what resources they required, Envisage couldn't set realistic expectations for clients or ensure profitable outcomes.

The firm's goal was straightforward: track time effectively and build a database of project history that could inform future proposals. This would enable them to move from estimating based on memory to backing up their proposals with concrete data from past projects.

Monograph's approach to time tracking and historical data aligned with exactly what Envisage needed. The platform could capture project information in a way that would be useful for future decision-making, helping the firm set themselves up for success on new projects.

"For me it was just being able to track our time and see what our history is so that we can put together better proposals and set ourselves up for success. That was the main reason we wanted to do it."
– Wendy Klepcyk, Principal, Envisage Architecture

Identifying Profitable Projects, Choosing Better Clients

With Monograph tracking their project history, Envisage Architecture gained the ability to look back at completed work and identify clear patterns. Wendy could now see which projects had generated profit and which hadn't—insight that had been impossible with their previous fragmented systems.

This visibility fundamentally changed how Envisage approached new opportunities. Instead of accepting any project that came their way, the firm could make strategic decisions about which clients and work types to pursue. The data showed them where they were making money and where they weren't.

The shift enabled Envisage to reach a new level of business maturity. Rather than taking on anybody who came along, they could focus on finding clients who represented good fits—relationships where both the firm and client could succeed.

"We go back on projects when we do our proposals, so we're able to say, 'Hey, we're making money on this kind of project, but here we're not.' Now we find our best clients rather than just taking on anybody who comes along because you really want to find a good fit."
– Wendy Klepcyk, Principal, Envisage Architecture

Unexpected Scheduling Benefits for Complex Teams

Envisage Architecture implemented Monograph primarily for financial tracking, but the platform delivered surprising operational benefits. The firm's mixed employment model—combining full-time, part-time, and contract employees—created scheduling complexities that their previous spreadsheet approach couldn't handle effectively.

Monograph's scheduling capabilities provided Envisage with better visibility into team availability and project demands. As the firm grew and took on more people, this coordination became increasingly valuable for reducing operational chaos and utilizing their diverse workforce more effectively.

The scheduling improvements proved especially important as bigger projects began coming into the firm's pipeline. What started as a solution for financial clarity evolved into a tool that helped Envisage manage the operational complexity of their growing practice.

"The biggest surprise is being able to do the scheduling a little bit better. Now that we've got more people, I think that's going to help us be a little less chaotic and be able to utilize our resources a little bit better because we are a mix of full-time, part-time contract employees."
– Wendy Klepcyk, Principal, Envisage Architecture

The Confidence to Know Your Worth

Envisage Architecture's experience with Monograph extends beyond operational improvements to business philosophy. The financial clarity the firm gained gave Wendy confidence to position Envisage based on their actual value rather than accepting whatever clients were willing to pay.

For many service-based businesses, the temptation is to let market pressure determine pricing rather than standing firm on appropriate compensation for quality work. Wendy's advice to other architects reflects the confidence that comes from understanding your business performance: know your worth and don't compromise on it.

This approach benefits everyone involved. Firms that price appropriately can deliver their best work, while clients who don't value that investment can find relationships that better match their expectations. The result is stronger partnerships built on mutual respect and realistic expectations.

"Know your worth. Don't sell yourself short. Stand up for yourself. Because what that ends up doing is you get to work for the people that you want to work for. And the folks that don't know your worth can go find somebody else that may be a better fit for them."
– Wendy Klepcyk, Principal, Envisage Architecture

Envisage Architecture's journey demonstrates how financial clarity can transform both daily operations and long-term business strategy. By implementing Monograph to gain visibility into project performance, Wendy Klepcyk positioned her firm to make strategic decisions about clients and projects based on data rather than guesswork.

The transformation enabled Envisage to evolve from reactive acceptance of any available work to confident selection of clients who appreciate their expertise and value their services appropriately.

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