Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Bryce Batts of Suburb

We recently had the chance to connect with Bryce Batts and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Bryce, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
🌅 Morning
• 5:00 AM – Wake up & quiet time. I usually start the day with a mix of movement and mindfulness. Normally Burn Boot camp and I carve out a few minutes for my 5 minute gratitude journal.
• 6:45 AM – Family routine. I make coffee after showering and throw some clothes on for the day, quick hugs goodbye and head out for school drop off.
• 7:30 AM – Arrive at work. Coffee in hand as I shift into business mode.
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🗂️ Workday
• 7:30-8:15 – Focus block. This is my best brain time, so I tackle strategic work: book launch tasks (emails, PR, coordinating with Happy Self Publishing), prepping a workshop outline, or developing consulting materials.
• 8:15-9:00 – Team Meeting – quick all hands meeting to set the tone for the day
• 9:00–11:00 AM – Calls & networking. A podcast recording, a Zoom with a client, or connecting with potential speaking opportunities. I often batch outreach during this window.
• 11:00–12:00 PM –Career Collective work. This might include reviewing client hiring strategies, or working with my team on recruiter training.
• 12:00–1:00 PM – Lunch. Usually quick, normally leftovers from home. Sometimes I squeeze in a walk or a tik-tok brain break.
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🌞 Afternoon
• 1:00–2:30 PM – Content & marketing. Drafting a LinkedIn post, scheduling Instagram content, brainstorming other content.
• 2:30–4 PM – Meetings / Admin. Meeting with my business partner at Career Collective, or handling emails and invoices.
• 4:00 PM – Go Home. Switching back into mom mode. Getting ready for dance, music, or any other various evening activities.
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🌙 Evening
• 4:00–6:00 PM – Family & activities. Homework help, snacks, shuttling to dance practice. Sometimes I squeeze in responding to a quick client email from the car or another quick walk while the kids are at dance.
• 6:30 PM – Dinner. Family meals are a priority when possible. My oldest normally cooks or at least preps dinner which has been a huge help.
• 7:30–9:00 PM – Evening rhythm. Family downtime —prepping for the next day, and continue to shuttle the kids home in shifts.
• 9:00–9:30 PM – Bed Time. catching an episode of a show with my husband and off to sleep.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Bryce Batts — Co-CEO of Career Collective, business consultant, podcast host, and now author of The Career Architect: How to Build a Career That Aligns with Your Vision & Values.

I’ve spent more than 15 years in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry as a recruiter and consultant, helping firms solve one of their biggest challenges: finding and keeping top talent. Over the years, I’ve placed more than 800 professionals and developed strategies that help companies hire smarter, retain longer, and build healthier workplace cultures.

What makes my work unique is the blend of industry expertise and personal mission. I’m passionate about helping professionals — especially women — design careers they love, instead of “falling into” roles that lead to burnout. That passion inspired my podcast, Wine After Work, where I create space for candid conversations, and my book, which launches this fall.

Right now, my focus is on sharing The Career Architect with the world, growing the impact of Career Collective, and continuing to speak and consult on the future of work in AEC. At the heart of it all, my mission is simple: empower people to build careers — and lives — by design, not by default.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious, fearless girl who loved to dream big and cheer others on. I was adventurous, creative, and confident enough to try new things without worrying about being perfect. I saw possibility everywhere — whether it was in sports, school, or imagining what life could look like one day.

Over time, expectations, “shoulds,” and the pressure to fit into certain boxes started to shape my path. But deep down, that girl is still here: the one who’s bold enough to build businesses, write a book, and raise daughters to chase their own dreams. In many ways, my work today is about returning to her — choosing alignment, joy, and purpose over doing what the world says I should do.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me things success never could. It taught me resilience — that I can survive far more than I ever thought possible. It taught me empathy — that everyone is carrying battles we can’t always see, and kindness matters. It taught me to let go of control and trust the process, even when life looks nothing like the plan.

Success feels good, but it rarely forces us to stop, reflect, and grow the way suffering does. My hardest seasons gave me clarity about what I value most, showed me the importance of boundaries, and reminded me that joy is something you build in the small, daily choices — not just when you reach the “big wins.”

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies of all: that people will automatically follow the “traditional path” because that’s how it’s always been done. The next generation of talent is showing us every day that they want autonomy, purpose, and alignment. Pretending otherwise is costing firms their best people.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
Absolutely, yes, I have definitely experienced those ‘tap-dancing-to-work’ days, and they’re some of my favorite memories. Here are a few that still make me grin just thinking about them:

Big placements that change everything. When we get a junior-level person, a great role with more money or I place a senior leader who transformed the team. I

When a speaking gig landed that validated the message. The first time I stepped off a stage after a presentation and people lined up to tell me how the talk changed their perspective — that electric mix of exhaustion and elation is addictive.

Recording a podcast episode that clicked. There have been episodes where the conversation just flowed — the guest shared something raw and useful, the edits landed perfectly, and downloads spiked.

Seeing the book come together for the first time. Holding the first proof of The Career Architect — that was a tap-dance moment. All the late nights, interviews, and edits suddenly felt like they belonged to something tangible. I remember walking around the house showing Michael, the girls, and anyone who would look, grinning like an idiot.

What all those days have in common is the blend of impact + momentum. It’s not just the win — it’s knowing that what I do helps people design better careers, that it moves the industry forward, and that my family benefits too. Those are the moments I want more of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brycebatts.co
• Instagram: @brycebatts
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-batts-recruiter/

Image Credits
Amy Paulson