Photography by Bo Carlock/Spacecrafting
Gretchen Camp
As principal at ESG Architecture & Design, Gretchen Camp builds communities. But this might not always mean the literal buildings, as one might expect. Her focus is less about exacting measurements on paper and more about the networks and neighborhoods she helps develop.
“We’re working in people’s homes, backyards and neighborhoods, and we want them to be proud of the communities we design,” says Camp. “Historically, I would always be the one presenting at neighborhood meetings, planning commissions or city councils. One of my strengths is creating harmony; it’s important for me to build consensus and foster teamwork,” adding that perhaps this trait emerged early on as one of 13 siblings.
Indeed, relationships are Camp’s secret sauce behind constructing both strong buildings and strong careers. “Now, I’m fostering and helping develop the careers of others,” she says. “It’s probably been a decade since I thought about what I’m doing next. I became an owner at ESG 10 years ago, and once you’ve passed that milestone, you’re not thinking about yourself. You’re focused on advancing opportunities for hundreds of other people.”
So when her firm was looking to change banks, she appreciated that Bridgewater Bank shared similar values. Because of the bank’s deep roots in the local real estate community and its close partnerships with developers and architects, Camp saw that Bridgewater understood the collaborative nature of her business. The bank also empowers her as a female business owner. All told, it was a seamless fit. “It’s really a two-way street in terms of our relationship,” she says. “They look for ways to support clients like me with business development opportunities and aren’t just concerned about how I’m going to help them — and I’m all in.”
Bridgewater Bank is an Equal Housing Lender + Member FDIC
