Hidden Gems: Meet Natalie Ransom of Heard Building

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Ransom.

Hi Natalie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My professional journey has been full of ups and downs and a lot of self-discovery, all of which have shaped me into the leader I am today.

I was born and raised in Downtown Phoenix and attended Arizona School for the Arts, where I immersed myself in band, choir, and theater, and even had the privilege of interning with Phoenix Theatre. At that stage, I wasn’t certain about my career path. After graduating, I enrolled at Phoenix College but ultimately spent several years trying to find my direction.

In 2018, I became a licensed esthetician and started to build a successful career as a skincare specialist. When the pandemic hit, like many in the industry, I suddenly found myself out of work and uncertain about the future. To keep moving forward, I began pursuing my real estate license; figuring that if I could make it through cosmetology school, I could do the same with real estate. That led me into residential property management, but I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit.

A trip to New York during that time changed everything. I discovered the concept of coworking spaces and immediately saw the potential. It was the perfect intersection of my skills in community building, property management, operations, and client service. I wanted to operate a coworking space! When I returned to Phoenix, I pursued that path and landed the opportunity to manage the Heard Building, a historic property in Downtown Phoenix that operates as a coworking and shared workspace community.

Over the last several years, managing the Heard Building has truly felt like finding my professional home! Through its challenges and opportunities, this role has helped me evolve into a more resilient, adaptable, and community-driven leader; not only at my building, but in the greater Downtown Phoenix community as well. Most importantly, I’ve worked hard to create a shared workspace environment that authentically supports local and small businesses. As a Downtown Phoenix native, I take tremendous pride in being deeply rooted in this community and creating a safe, inclusive, and productive environment where businesses, entrepreneurs, and anyone who walks through our doors can thrive!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. In addition to figuring out where I fit professionally, I’ve faced plenty of challenges in learning how to successfully manage the Heard Building. For context, the building was constructed in 1919, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and once held the title of the tallest building in Arizona. With more than 100 years of history behind it, managing this property in the heart of a busy and growing downtown environment brings unique obstacles every day.

Balancing all aspects of leasing, operations, and commercial property management for a historic building means no two days look the same. One day I might be hosting a community event or leading tours for prospective tenants; the next I’m setting up IT for a new client while coordinating elevator inspections and, literally, dealing with a dumpster fire outside. Some days run smoothly, others are more chaotic, but each experience has pushed me to become more resourceful, resilient, and effective as a leader.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Heard Building is a locally and independently owned shared workspace (commonly referred to as coworking) in the heart of Downtown Phoenix. We provide fully furnished private office and suite space in a variety of sizes and configurations for all types of businesses (small and local are our favorite!)

We also feature meeting and event spaces, a dedicated training room, and self-storage units throughout the building. Everything is available on flexible lease terms with affordable, all inclusive pricing. Tenants enjoy a range of amenities including complimentary cold brew on tap, receptionist service, high-speed internet, and access to a vibrant, collaborative community.

We specialize in providing space and services for businesses to get started or continue to expand in the center of one of the fastest growing cities in America. Whether you’re in town for a conference and need a place to work for the day, you’re a subject matter expert needing a training room to host a workshop, or you’re a small business owner wanting office and storage space outside of your home, we have something for everyone!

Who else deserves credit in your story?
For my own professional development, my husband Mike and my family have always been my biggest cheerleaders. They have never doubted me and their support has been the steady foundation I’ve leaned on.

When it comes to the success of Heard Building, our long-term tenants have been absolutely instrumental. Winslow & Partners, Mac Repair, Fisheye Investigations, and ProPublica (just to name a few) have not only trusted us with their businesses but also helped shape the culture and community that makes the building thrive.

I also want to give a huge shoutout to my on-site team (thx Jo & SP!!) and our property owners, Bradley and Everardo Chavez. Over the past year, the Chavez brothers have poured their hearts, energy, and sweat into maintaining and improving the property. Their hands-on approach and commitment as both owners and community leaders have been transformative. I’m infinitely grateful for their trust in me! Their confidence has provided me the freedom to truly grow into this role and make it my own.

And finally, I want credit the broader Downtown Phoenix community. From town hall meetings to collaborations with neighboring businesses, being surrounded by people who are equally passionate about the growth and vitality of Downtown Phoenix has been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me each day! I am truly grateful to call Phoenix home.

Pricing:

• Self-storage units starting at $50/month
• Virtual offices starting at $49/month
• Private offices starting at $499/month
• Private suites starting at $2,500/month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heardbuilding.com
• Instagram: @theheardbuilding

Image Credits
Agent 4 M (@agent_4_m)
Logan Martinez (@willmarphoto)