From the Honeycomb

In this entrepreneurial episode, Katerina is joined by architect and firm owner Kelsey Ahumada, founder of Portica Architecture , as she takes us through her inspiring path from aspiring architect to successful business owner. Kelsey shares how her love for both sketching and technical details led her to architecture and how she was fortunate to gain invaluable early experience in a supportive fir...

In this week's episode Katerina is joined by I'm joined by Lizi Raar, Jessica Rogers, and Norgerie Rivas, the hosts of the She Builds Podcast. Together, they dive into the stories and inspiration behind their podcast, where they highlight the legacy and contributions of women in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). The trio shares the joy and impact of creating content that motivates...

In this week's episode, licensed therapist and coach Katy Bandy returns as a guest to share reflections from her first year as an entrepreneur. She discusses her journey from a 9-to-5 role to building a business where she empowers high-achieving women through her coaching programs. Katy opens up about the risks she took, health challenges she faced, and a shift in her approach to social media, all...

In the fourth and final episode of the Women in Architecture series, Katerina sits down with architect Annette Wu, whose passion for the field was sparked early on through creativity in graphic design and hands-on projects. Annette reflects on her journey, including a pivotal moment during her second semester of architecture school that reignited her determination to continue pursuing her dreams R...

In the third episode of our Women in Architecture series, Katerina is joined by Meg Coffee, a California-based landscape architect with over 20 years of experience and an instructor at UCLA Extension. Meg’s journey as a landscape architect is an inspiring tale of career pivots, perseverance, and leadership. Meg shares how her early passion for architecture evolved after she discovered the world of...

In the second episode of our Women in Architecture series, Katerina sits down with architect Bryn Young—ARE coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Mind Over ARE (MOA). Bryn is passionate about guiding the next generation of architects toward licensure and she shares the personal challenges that inspired her to create a community for those struggling with the exams. Bryn opens up about her own failure...

Welcome to the first episode of our "Women in Architecture" series, where this year's theme is Collaboration. In this episode Katerina is joined by Janiece Williams, co-founder of Leader Flow, a nonprofit that empowers professionals through leadership programs. Janiece shares her journey into architecture, her experiences with imposter syndrome, feeling disconnected during school, and how her clas...

In this special episode celebrating the 3rd anniversary of From the Honeycomb, host Katerina reflects on the journey of her podcast. She takes listeners behind the scenes, sharing insights into why each episode begins with a moment of gratitude and how her curiosity has shaped the podcast's evolution. Katerina opens up about the growing confidence she gained in inviting guests onto the show and ex...

In this episode Katerina sits down with Luciana Triplett, an inspiring immigrant architect who shares her journey of establishing and growing her own architecture firm in the United States. Luciana opens up about the unique challenges she faced as a woman pursuing an architecture degree, navigating the grueling exams, and ultimately launching her own business amidst challenges.  She reflects on th...

In this week's episode Katerina is joined by the creator of the "Spicy Brains" planner Lis Montoya. Lis shares how her personal experiences with mental health, ADHD, and her many hobbies led her to design a planner that empowers women to stay organized and feel accomplished. She opens up about her therapeutic journey, discovering how to better cope with her emotions and how these insights influenc...

In this enlightening episode, Katerina is joined by Alyssa Hatchard, a Reiki Master Teacher and Transformational Coach, as she shares her inspiring journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Alyssa opens up about her path to becoming a healer and coach, revealing how her personal experiences have shaped her mission to help others live authentically and fulfill their true potential. Alyssa shares t...

In this week's episode, Katerina sits down with designer Feyi Quadri to explore her journey through the demanding Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and the vital role of community outreach. Feyi reflects on how her early fascination with the way people interact with spaces ignited her passion for architecture and how her academic pursuits deepened this understanding, shaping her design phil...

In this week's episode Katerina is joined by Tiffany Teoh, the founder of the jewelry brand The Traveller Series. Tiffany shares the origin of her company, which began as a side hobby in 2020 and blossomed into a full-fledged business. She opens up about the challenges of starting a business and emphasizes the importance of delegation, describing her journey of learning to trust others with her wo...

In this episode, Katerina shares an insightful update about her architecture firm, reflecting on her growth, the lessons learned over the past few months, and the significant changes she's made to propel her business forward. She dives into her vision for running her business, what she's implementing in her second year, and the things she's decided to let go of. Katerina also opens up about what b...

In this week's episode Katerina is joined by Erica Reiner, an interior designer with a strong focus on sustainability. Erica, the founder of her own firm Eco Method Interiors, shares her journey from her initial interest in interior design to creating a business centered on eco-friendly practices.  Erica delves into how her business has evolved over the years, adapting to the growing importance of...

In this insightful episode, Katerina sits down with Audrey Lau, an insurance expert specializing in coverage for architects and designers. Audrey shares her journey into the insurance industry and explains the critical differences between professional liabilities and general liability by breaking down these concepts in a way that is easily understandable. Audrey discusses the intricacies of starti...

Join Katerina as she sits down with Elise and Emily, the dynamic duo behind A Whole Design Podcast. As experienced interior designers, they share their journey into the world of interior design, what sparked their passion for creating beautiful spaces and they reveal how their podcast has enhanced their professional growth. Elise and Emily provide a glimpse into the way they design their personal...

Join Katerina as she sits down with licensed architect and mentor Krista Marcovecchio as they delve into the world of architecture education and mentorship. Krista shares insights about her coaching program designed to provide invaluable guidance on mastering construction documents, and the essential balance between soft skills and technical expertise required to thrive in an architecture firm. Kr...

In this enlightening episode, join Katerina as she sits down with licensed architect and firm owner Mandy Freeland. Mandy discusses how her background in communications and public relations has been invaluable in her architectural career, especially when working with clients, collaborative group work, and presentation skills.  Mandy shares the inspiring story behind starting her own architecture f...

In this week's episode, Katerina is back with her sister Michaela to chat about Michaela's journey and experiences working in art galleries. They kick things off by sharing the week they spent together in Boston, celebrating Michaela's recent graduation from Boston University. They share how they explored the stunning architecture of the city and indulged in its delectable food scene.  Diving into...

In this entrepreneurial episode, Katerina sits down Liz Sydnor, architect and founder of Sydnor Design. Liz is an inspiring entrepreneur whose journey began surrounded by architects, fueling her passion to become one herself. Liz shares the challenges she faced while pursuing her architecture license, including the grueling ARE exams, and her academic path through undergraduate and master's progra...

In this inspiring episode, Katerina sits down with Claudia, a dedicated mindset coach with a passion for personal development. Claudia's journey from a goal-oriented individual to a coach who helps others elevate their dreams is nothing short of remarkable. She reveals how anyone can make their dreams come true and the fulfillment she finds in helping others succeed.  Claudia takes us through her...

Recording from the vibrant city of Boston, join Katerina as she shares an update on her life and business adventures. It's been a whirlwind of a few weeks, and Katerina is here to delve into how she learned to pivot her business amidst all of life's unexpected moments. From prioritizing essential tasks, the importance of setting boundaries with family, and avoiding burnout during extensive travel,...

In this week's episode join Katerina as she sits down with coach Ishwariya Rajamohan, a passionate supporter of female leaders. Ishwariya's shares how her transition from architecture to the culinary world set the stage for her to establish a coaching program aimed at empowering women in leadership roles, particularly in architecture and hospitality.  Ishwariya discusses the unique challenges wome...

In this introspective episode, join Katerina as she reflects on her chosen word of the year: "create." Over the last few months Katerina has discovered that "create" has manifested into abundance and community in unexpected ways. It has shaped her business mindset and reaffirmed the belief that we are the creators of our own reality. Listen in as Katerina shares the behind-the-scenes journey of cr...