The following is an excerpt from Topeka Metro News
Dated Friday May, 23, 2008
Article written by Peggy Mooney

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and Go Topeka have picked its Small Business Award winners for 2008. The winners were recognized at the 28th annual Small Business Awards recognition program Wednesday morning. The event was held in the Washburn Room of the Washburn University Memorial Union on the WU campus.











This year’s winners are Architect One, Dynamic Computer Solutions and Heartland Park Topeka.

The month of May is historically known as National Business Appreciation Month. This year marks the 28th anniversary for the Chamber and Go Topeka’s Small Business Awards. Local businesses are recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.

Architect One
Michael Wilson and Scott Gales are partners in the ownership of Architect One. Architect One is located at 3500 SW Fairlawn.

Despite a difficult economic period over the past three years, Architect One has flourished and seen a 66 percent growth in its staff, as well as a 250 percent increase in revenues.

Wilson and Gales say that they credit the success of their company to the fact that they have deliberately diversified the client base to a broader geographical region. The partners have also aggressively pursued projects in markets that they consider to be in their area of strength.

The partners agree that the company’s growth has led them to develop a new office park and offices. The company’s geographic range of projects now extends to an approximate 250-mile radius from Topeka.

Architect One began with a single owner in 1989. From its beginning to 2005, the company grew at a slow gradual pace. Then, a change in the owners’ philosophy generated a rush of growth.

As a result of the company’s controlled growth, Architect One has never had to lay off an employee.

Architect One employees not only put in their hours of work, but many are also involved in the community as well as in the business community.