Past Winner Stories
MECA Design
www.meca-design.com
"We leave work at work."
"We've got what clients like," says Frank Williams, co-founder of MECA Design Inc., an architectural design firm in Indianapolis. "I'm young, energetic and have tech knowledge. He's experienced and distinguished."
The he of whom he speaks is Williams' father-in-law, Michael Cope. Yet, this team hasn't always been met with such overt enthusiasm. In truth, MECA was born when Cope was forced out of his last company-and Williams was urged out of the same firm, thanks to his familial association with Cope.
The pair launched MECA from Cope's basement before working their way up to a full office with staff the following year. Just as MECA was hitting its stride, the recession of the early 1990s came along and nearly crushed the nascent company. Both men quickly took night jobs to keep the company afloat.
The partners' commitment paid off. Today, MECA has a wide variety of clients, ranging from churches to hospitals to Arby's restaurants. As for their relationship, having weathered several storms, their bond is strong, and they've survived for more than a decade because they know how to separate the personal from the professional. Says Williams, "Family time is very important to us."
"We've got what clients like," says Frank Williams, co-founder of MECA Design Inc., an architectural design firm in Indianapolis. "I'm young, energetic and have tech knowledge. He's experienced and distinguished."
The he of whom he speaks is Williams' father-in-law, Michael Cope. Yet, this team hasn't always been met with such overt enthusiasm. In truth, MECA was born when Cope was forced out of his last company-and Williams was urged out of the same firm, thanks to his familial association with Cope.
The pair launched MECA from Cope's basement before working their way up to a full office with staff the following year. Just as MECA was hitting its stride, the recession of the early 1990s came along and nearly crushed the nascent company. Both men quickly took night jobs to keep the company afloat.
The partners' commitment paid off. Today, MECA has a wide variety of clients, ranging from churches to hospitals to Arby's restaurants. As for their relationship, having weathered several storms, their bond is strong, and they've survived for more than a decade because they know how to separate the personal from the professional. Says Williams, "Family time is very important to us."