Natalie Ramirez Designs Impactful Spaces With Her Architecture Firm

Hi, Natalie! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business.

Natalie Soledad Ramírez is the Founder and Principal Architect of Natalie Ramirez Architecture + Impact Collaborative. She has worked in architecture for over 14 years. She believes that the built environment can act as a catalyst for positive change and has devoted much of her career to projects that focus on public service with strong social impact ambitions. Over the years, she has worked on ground-up public and educational projects, projects for ELEMENTAL, led by Pritzker Prize laureate Alejandro Aravena, and for California non-profit clients including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Slide Ranch.

Who are your customers?

Civil, public, institutional, cultural, and non-profit organizations.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I once met an architect who said, "If the words we use do not translate into action, then our words are of no consequence." Those words really resonated with me and I have tried to devote my career to translating words to action to help empower organizations to achieve their maximum positive impact. After feeling like I have had to swim against the current at firms to try serve my clients in innovative ways, I decided to take the leap in hopes of serving my clients as genuinely as possible.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

Even with a Master of Architecture degree, my knowledge base of how to start and build an architecture firm from the ground up was limited. I have learned (so far) that I cannot be shy in asking for help from those I do know who have attempted such a feat.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

It has just been a month or so since I started, but I am most proud of being retained to collaborate with two non-profits whose missions are to bring love, housing, and education to underserved youth populations.

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I am just getting started! Over the next few years, I want to use my skill set to help empower and serve agencies, organizations, and communities that want to bring about positive changes in the world.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

Participate in all the events. Even if they do not seem directly related to your company, you may discover something invaluable.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Google Workspace. It's a powerful set of tools that I use daily and is budget friendly.

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