Grit, Growth, and Great Design with Cotton Architecture
Who says small architecture firms can't think big? On this episode of ThriveCAST, I sit down with Ryan Short, co-founder of Cotton Architecture, who's proving that small but mighty isn't just a saying - it’s a business strategy.
From sketching ideas in high school to leading a firm making waves in healthcare design, Ryan shares how Cotton Architecture is carving out its space - one entrepreneurial doctor at a time.
We explore the architecture industry where agility beats bureaucracy, and “building the plane while flying it” isn’t just a metaphor - it’s a Tuesday.
Ryan unpacks:
Why working with doctors after hours is worth it (even if your social life begs to differ).
How they strategically named their firm after a crop - and made it a great story.
The art of breaking the news that a dream facility costs more than a small country’s GDP.
With a mix of technical expertise and a refreshingly personal approach, Cotton Architecture is proving that great things come in small, well-designed packages. When creating spaces for healing, knowledge and personality should always go hand in hand.
Warning: This episode may spark an entrepreneurial itch, an unexpected curiosity about Arizona’s five C’s, and a newfound appreciation for cotton fields.
