As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Aylin Round.
Aylin Round is the founder and owner of ArchJobs. She has over five years of experience in the UK and Dubai architectural industry and combines her skills, knowledge and love for writing to help architectural professionals advance in their careers. With her insights into what candidates are looking for and their pain points, she possesses invaluable knowledge that she uses to help practices attract the right talent, whether by strengthening their recruitment strategy or assisting with their written content to enhance their online visibility.
Here’s what we found out about Aylin’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and what sparked the idea for your business?
No one in my family is an entrepreneur, so it never even crossed my mind. Looking back, my partner inspired me to take this path. He started his own gaming website just as COVID began, and watching him create something from nothing was mesmerising – I became obsessed with the idea of starting my own online platform.
It took months of brainstorming to find the right idea, but I knew it had to be in the architectural sector. At the time, I was working as a Senior Recruitment Consultant, gaining extensive knowledge not only about the industry but also about the pain points of both clients and job seekers – I didn’t want to waste those insights. One day, I read a tweet about a niche job board, and I thought there was room for one more. That’s how ArchJobs started – a UK architectural job board. Little did I know, that was only the beginning.
As a woman navigating the business world, what challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
There aren’t as many female founders around and imposter syndrome was the first challenge I faced. “Am I good enough? Why should people listen to me?” It’s a vicious cycle, and I had to break it. I began growing my network and meeting other entrepreneurs – both men and women – who had similar doubts. From that day on, I reminded myself, “You got this!” I even have it as a sticky note above my desk.
How do you balance the demands of running a business with maintaining a healthy personal life?
I’m someone who thrives on routine. Every morning, like clockwork (or thanks to my cat’s internal alarm), I get up, feed the cat, walk the dog, hit the gym, have my coffee, and dive into work. My routine helps me cut down on decisions early in the day, which is invaluable – there are only so many good decisions you can make in a day. Some days are highly productive, while on others, my body tells me to slow down – and I listen. You can’t give 110% every day, but showing up consistently is what really matters. My partner and I also love to travel, often turning it into a working holiday, which helps keep the businesses going while allowing us time to relax.
Which networking strategies have most effectively built meaningful connections within your industry?
LinkedIn is my main networking tool, it’s where I’ve built strong connections with architectural professionals and where I’m still learning every day about what matters most to them – their insights, challenges and pain points. I also enjoy attending in-person networking events, though as an introvert, I need time to recharge afterwards.
How do you approach mentorship, and how has it shaped your entrepreneurial path?
Mentorship is a bit unconventional for me. I don’t have a formal mentor, but I’m surrounded by professionals who are experts in their fields and are there to help when needed, and vice versa. You never know what challenges will come up, but with the right people around you, you can make it work. I’m also a big fan of business books and enjoy listening to podcasts on marketing, tech and entrepreneurship.
What strategies have worked best for selling your products and reaching your ideal customers?
My personal brand is how most people find me, followed by ArchJobs’s website. I made a conscious effort to invest in my personal brand because people buy from people. It’s important to build trust with my audience by sharing my insights and experiences.
Which marketing techniques have been most successful for your business, and how do you track their performance?
LinkedIn has been my most valuable marketing tool, and I’ve also invested time in learning SEO. I continuously publish articles, guides, weekly newsletters, and I participate in podcasts, visit universities, and hold workshops. It’s all about getting my name out there and building trust. I believe in organic growth – it takes longer but is more sustainable in the long run. To track performance, I use a URL builder to modify links (e.g., “…/linkedin” or “…/newsletter”) so I can identify where traffic is coming from and focus on the most effective channels.
Can you share a significant setback in your business journey and the steps you took to overcome it?
Seven months into running ArchJobs, things weren’t progressing as I’d hoped, and I felt like I was failing. While the architectural job board was getting clicks, the website as a whole wasn’t offering enough value. I wasn’t giving users a reason to stay engaged. Knowing that many job seekers struggle with writing CVs, building portfolios and navigating salary expectations, I decided to expand the site. I began adding detailed articles, salary guides, career coaching resources, and more. I’m constantly thinking of ways to improve, but that experience taught me a valuable lesson: you have to offer your users a much better experience. Otherwise, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable.
What’s the most important advice you’d give to women just starting their entrepreneurial journey?
My business today is very different from what it was two years ago and that’s because I engaged with my target audience and grew a community of architectural professionals. Don’t be afraid to pivot or adjust your model. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals and stay motivated when things get tough. Failing and making mistakes are part of the journey—learn from them and adjust as needed.
Is there a mantra or quote that guides your actions and decision-making as an entrepreneur?
Listen to your gut.
