Interview with Becky Hawkins, founding partner, Method Studio
This article is part of a series featuring business executives who choose to live and work in Utah. If you know of an executive we should interview, please contact us.
Becky Hawkins is no stranger to creating functional and creative spaces that enhance communities and enrich lives. She has been in the design industry for over 25 years and traveled throughout the country, working with several higher education and healthcare institutions.
Now, as CEO of Method Studio, Hawkins helps to oversee an award-winning architectural and design firm with projects throughout the region. She provides project and design leadership and works to strategically to grow and guide the firm with the other two founding partners.
The firm is 93-people strong and has been awarded Best of State in Utah for Commercial architecture in 2018 and 2019 and Firm of the Year in 2017 by Women in Architecture and has received numerous design awards since its inception.
How did you get started in the industry?
I was studying business and marketing while working at a design firm as a project coordinator in Salt Lake. While business, marketing and entrepreneurialism were a driving force in my business aspirations, I loved the creativity in the design process and the idea of creating “place.”
The combination of form, texture and color have a tremendous impact on the spaces we occupy and can inspire our life experiences.
What recent professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
Helping lead and manage exponential growth and diversification of our work while developing a culture built upon respect and growing the talents and abilities of our team. The growth includes playing an instrumental role in helping to secure and deliver key projects such as the $40 million Dixie Technical College in St. George and the $30 million Cedars mixed-use, student housing and micro-unit housing in Rexburg, Idaho.
An important but fun role included helping to lead the rebranding and designing of new office space for our firm. This included persuading the owner of the building to change the vision of industrial property to one of an urban, edgy adaptive re-use development.
What do you like most about living in Utah?
I LOVE living in Utah surrounded by gorgeous mountains, lakes, farmland and the beautiful southern Utah rocks. The people are warm, inviting, real and humble.
I have spent much of my career traveling for work, and I always look forward to coming home. When the airplane lands, I feel safe and comfortable knowing I am back at home.
What do you like most about doing business in Utah?
Working with Utah’s incredibly talented workforce to enhance our cities in our wonderfully diverse state. Engaging with municipalities and businesses that create community, contextual architecture and places that enhance our beautiful state is truly a pleasure.
What advice do you have for individuals considering starting a business, or relocating their business, to Utah?
Come to Utah! Talk with the people, walk the streets, visit our mountains and lakes, and experience firsthand the amazing benefits the state has to offer.
There is no better workforce or work ethic than right here in Utah.
What is your primary challenge of doing business in Utah?
One key challenge is educating others on the importance of creating spaces that inspire and enhance wellness in our community.
Another challenge is planning up front for growth and developing design standards that raise the bar and help build our beautiful state more cohesively and in a strategic way.
What is your business philosophy?
Follow your gut instincts and make decisions that are true to your vision. Take calculated risks and don’t be afraid to fail.
Tell me a fun fact about yourself.
I have been a tomboy my entire life. I love fast cars, dirt bikes, competitive volleyball, freestyle skiing, four-wheeling and barefoot waterskiing. I love speed and challenge!
While I’m a bit older now, some of my fondest memories are pushing myself, competing in athletics and doing things other people told me I couldn’t do.
What is your favorite role?
Wife and mother to four incredible kids and seven grandkids. They are my greatest accomplishment and joy.
Is there anything else you would like the reader to know about you?
Believe in yourself and push forward with passion, determination and fearless enthusiasm. There is absolutely nothing that we cannot do if we find our “why” and follow our passion.
Connect with her on LinkedIn.