Today we’d like to introduce you to Salvador (Chip) Imapastato.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2010, during the recession, I co-founded Studio Outside with three partners. We had previously all worked together at another firm that had undergone an ownership transition a few years earlier. We realized we were in a unique situation; the economy was rebounding, and we wanted to build something significant together. We knew we were stronger as a group than individuals.
We began with a focus on our design work and company values. We continued to invest in the company with top caliper staff, continuing education, and marketplace exposure.
We had 13 employees when we established our firm. As of this fall, we have grown to 46 employees and have engaged in diverse commissions in nine market sectors throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Studio Outside was built on a collaborative foundation as a team. With the exceptions of normal business ups and downs, we have had a couple of real-life hiccups along the way. In 2017, one of our founding partners Bill Millsap was diagnosed with cancer and passed away soon after. Being a large group of owners, so heavily invested in each other, this was a real blow on a business level, but even more so on a personal level. I believe that strength as a group and close relationships with each other helped us through this time of loss. The business side kept going fairly smoothly, but it did take a toll on us emotionally.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Studio Outside – what should we know?
Studio Outside is a landscape architecture design firm. Within the marketplace, we are highly diversified and regarded as delivering high-level designs at a national and international level. While we tend to tackle any design challenge that comes our way, we focus in the areas of corporate and educational campuses, museums, botanical gardens, urban design, mixed-use, hospitality, urban living, children’s camps, state parks, and private residences and ranches. For a single location landscape architecture firm, we are considered quite large, but it’s that blend of talented designers that we are most proud of. The staff at Studio Outside comes from all over the world, and many of them have dual degrees. This broad experience allows us to approach design challenges from many different directions and apply a synergetic approach to all of our projects. This cross-collaboration allows for a multitude of creative input in a very short period and results in well thought, highly applicable solutions.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
Our immediate plans for the future include further internal investment in ourselves. Because we are extremely proud of our staff, we feel it is very important to encourage everyone to invest in themselves with a path they feel most inspired by. We are raising the annual allocations for everyone in the company to continue their education and continue to grow professionally. Additionally, we have begun a program that identifies future leaders of the company and immerses them in the management of the company—our own version of a boot camp to leadership. Finally, we have challenged all of our senior staff to become involved within our professional industries and personal communities through volunteerism and leadership. We feel this investment is worthwhile to stay at the top of the evolving nature of our industry.
Contact Info:
- Address: 824 Exposition Avenue, Suite 5
Dallas, Texas 75226 - Website: www.studiooutside.us
- Phone: 214.954.7160
- Email: info@studiooutside.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiooutside/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Studio.Outside.landscape.architecture/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/studio_outside
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/studio-outside-landscape-architects/
Image Credit:
The Star in Frisco – Cowboys Headquarters – Frisco, TX. Photographer: Arlen Kennedy, Parkland Hospital – Dallas, TX. Photographer: Arlen Kennedy, Eagle Family Plaza at the Dallas Museum of Art – Dallas, TX. Photographer: Arlen Kennedy, Oakbrook Center – Oakbrook, IL. Photographer: Arlen Kennedy, Desert Botanical Garden | Desert Portal and Terrace Garden – Phoenix, AZ. Photographer: Arlen Kennedy, Galveston Island State Park – Galveston, TX. Photographer: Arlen Kennedy, Paahaa Ranch – Canyonlake, TX. Photographer: Arlen Kennedy, Legacy West – Plano, TX. Photographer: Arlen Kennedy
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