NEW BUSINESS SPRINGS FROM LATE NIGHT STUDYING

Within a few months of passing his sixth and final architecture licensing exam, DLE ’16 Alum Frank Fuentes, Principal at Fuentes Architecture in Hollywood, FL, converted his study practices into his first entrepreneurial venture.

Frank, who just opened his firm Frankie’s Practice Quizzes, explains, “There’s always been something inside of me that wanted to start something my own, from scratch. Like most people, 2020 was honestly a tough year for me. In July, I experienced getting laid off for the first time in my career and feeling a sense of uncertainty for my future.”

Having been laid off from his position with a Hollywood, FL, architecture firm, Frank harnessed emotional swirl from the setback into a positive force for moving forward. “I knew I had to act fast and with intention in response to the layoff and make the best of my situation. Fortunately, I completed and passed my sixth and final architecture licensing exam in November. It was a huge accomplishment!”

Frank’s accomplishment was celebrated in the HUB (Nov. 25, 2020 issue) as well with an in-depth article, which he wrote, about his path and process for staying focused on the rigorous examination process for becoming a licensed architect. He realized that the tools and techniques that he used for achieving his goal were transferrable.

He recalls, “I used several types of practice quizzes to help prepare but was very disappointed in the quality of the exams. So I created my own practice tools. I carefully thought of questions that were challenging and similar in style to the actual exam.”

His experience has sparked Frankie’s Practice Quizzes, guides to help other architecture licensure candidates as they prepare themselves for the architectural registration exams (AREs).

You can check them out on Frank’s newly launched website. There is a bonus for DLE Community Members as well, notes Frank. “If you’re taking the architecture registration exams, I’d be happy to offer general advice, study tips and study resource recommendations.”

DLE Community Members can contact Frank directly at frankfuentesprofessional@gmail.com.

As for making his entrepreneurial dream come true, Frank admits that the DLE’s invaluable network of leaders inspired him to take the leap and just go for it.