Why did Louis Sullivan struggle to obtain commissions after starting his independent practice?

After beginning his independent practice in 1895, Louis Sullivan struggled to secure commissions due to a combination of economic, professional, and personal factors:

• Economic Climate: The severe economic depression that began in 1893 significantly reduced the availability of new architectural projects.1
• Loss of Partnership: Sullivan’s previous success was heavily bolstered by his partnership with Dankmar Adler, whose business acumen and tact with clients perfectly complemented Sullivan’s design brilliance. Once he began practicing alone, Sullivan lacked this essential support.21
• Temperament and Professional Conduct: Sullivan was ill-suited to manage the various phases of an architectural practice. He was often perceived as arrogant and unnecessarily decisive, and he frequently offered unsolicited advice to clients. His refusal to compromise his artistic ideals or engage in what he considered unprofessional business practices led to the loss of many potential jobs.1
• Personal Isolation: As he grew older, Sullivan became increasingly reclusive and difficult, leading to personal estrangement from family and a decline in his professional network.1