Originally published in the March 2017 issue of Berkshire Trade and Commerce
BY: John Townes
Pamela Sandler was recently accepted to the 10,000 Small Businesses program offered by Goldman Sachs:
Sandler is owner and principal Pamela Sandler AIA, LEED AP, an architectural firm she established in 1989. With offices at 31 Main St. in Stockbridge, the firm provides residential and commercial design for new construction, restorations and renovations.
She said she first heard about 10,000 Small Businesses several years ago through a business associate in another area who had participated in the program. She was recently reacquainted with it by Kowalczyk through their mutual involvement in Women Upfront, and decided to apply.
“It’s a great gift of an opportunity,” said Sandler (who was reached while away on vacation just days before the program started.) She pointed that, although she has operated her own firm for over 25 years, she has never had the complete skill set needed to effectively plan for its growth.
“You don’t learn anything in architecture school about running a business,” she commented, adding that she looks forward to addressing that gap through the program’s intensive training and mentoring.
“The key thing I’m looking for from the program is being able to define the direction of my firm for the next 20 years,” Sandler said.
That, she added, is important not just for herself but also for the continued professional development of her staff of three full-time and one part-time employees.
“I have a great team, and I want this to have a positive impact on them, too,” she said.
