Kansas City Couple Embraces Collaboration in Family Architecture Business

Kansas City Couple Takes the Plunge into the Family Business

Kansas City, the heart of the Midwest, is buzzing with excitement following the recent announcement that architectural firm Draw Architecture + Urban Design has welcomed a new principal. And here’s the twist — he’s not just any principal; he’s the husband of the firm’s founder, Dominique Davison!

From Partners in Life to Partners in Business

After nearly two decades of running her successful firm alone, Dominique decided it was time to take a leap of faith and bring her husband, Robert Riccardi, into the mix. Joining the firm in early September, Robert brings with him two decades of experience from a national design firm. “It was a hellacious interview process,” he joked, but later concluded that it was the right move for both his career and their family.

Initially, the couple had their hesitations. “I’ve heard the age-old advice: Don’t work with family. It’s why we waited so long to come to this conclusion,” Dominique explained. But the idea of working together always lingered in the background, especially since they collaborated in graduate school and even while dating. Fast forward to Kansas City, where they initially planned to work together before Robert’s career took off.

An Ideal Business Partnership

Over the past two years, the couple began to explore property development together, purchasing and renovating their new office space in the Crossroads Arts District. As they expanded their activities, it became increasingly apparent that growing the business required more hands on deck. “If Draw was going to scale, we needed more business development, and I thought Robert had the skills to help make that happen,” said Dominique.

In a relaxed moment on vacation, cocktail in hand, Dominique laid it all out to Robert. They had been contemplating this for some time, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine both their personal and professional lives. “It became clearer to me that I wanted my life partner to also be my business partner,” she shared, adding that they both are redefining their careers as they step into their 50s.

Navigating the Family Dynamic

Even though they genuinely love the idea of working together, the couple is aware that merging personal and professional roles can lead to challenges. “I’m the new guy, so I want to connect with the team during one-on-one coffees,” Robert said to ease any employee concerns. Dominique chimed in on the importance of keeping the family dynamic separate from the office. “We want to maintain a professional atmosphere while also being partners,” she said.

The couple recognizes that blending work and home life could be tricky, especially with kids aged 11 and 13. “We have to make sure we don’t turn our dining room table into a conference room. Sometimes, we need to take a breather and agree to talk about things the next day,” Robert said with a grin.

A Thoughtful Approach to Partnership

Dominique and Robert didn’t rush into the partnership. Instead, they consulted a business coach to assess their personalities and communication styles. “We wanted to ensure this decision wouldn’t negatively impact our marriage. After all, if it goes poorly, the fallout could be just as difficult as a personal divorce,” said Dominique.

After using personality tests to analyze their working styles, the couple felt reassured that they could complement each other. Dominique is meticulous and task-oriented, while Robert tends to take a step back and see the bigger picture. “There’s nobody I trust more,” she said, with Robert promptly agreeing, “Same here.” Their histories of working together on various projects helped build a solid foundation of trust.

A Joint Vision for the Future

Having both experienced pivotal life lessons, including a health scare that forced Robert to rethink what truly matters, the couple feels ready to chart a new path together. “We’ve watched each other succeed. This isn’t about coming in and making drastic changes; it’s about enhancing what’s already been built,” Robert stated confidently.

The couple is diving into this new partnership not only for business reasons but also to enrich both their professional and personal lives. Whether it’s discussing design projects or planning family outings, they are eager to take this leap together, all while reminding each other of what’s truly important—family, partnership, and a passion for design.