THE NATALIA BLAESS INTERVIEW
ARTWORK BY THE BLAESS CO.
A GLOBAL TOUCH IN REAL ESTATE.
LUXURY REAL ESTATE AGENT
CO-FOUNDER OF L/HÔTEL PARTICULIER + THE BLAESS CO.
Natalia Blaess, a seasoned California resident, was born in the United States, shaped by her European upbringing, and enriched by her experiences residing in Montréal, Canada. With a keen familiarity with the luxury real estate world, she epitomizes the fusion of European style and American entrepreneurial spirit, boasting a modern, innovative, and creative mindset. Natalia's global background spans decades, leveraging extensive connections cultivated while working with ambassadors, royalty, and influential figures both in the diplomatic world and the fashion and film industry.
“Be brave enough to elegantly defy the status quo to disrupt, innovate and evolve as a human being.”
What do you enjoy most about living and operating a business in Marin County?
With regard to living and operating a business in Marin County, it is one of the most visually striking regions on the West Coast. Located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge and close to San Francisco, it is also a short drive from Napa Valley. Its presence of the Pacific Ocean, redwood forests, and mountains makes Marin County undeniably beautiful, attracting visitors from across the country and the world. With a population of just over 250,000 residents, the greatest advantage of operating a business here is the strong local community. The biggest problem might be to convince your clients to leave the stunning views behind.
What do you feel is missing in Marin County? What would you like to see available or different here?
From my experience living in both Europe and Montréal, Canada, the infrastructure and housing solutions in Marin County are significantly subpar for being one of the most affluent and breathtaking counties in the States. I would like to see more rezoning across the county where viable, with additional sidewalks for safer walkability, bike paths separated from cars, and a more efficient light rail system to reduce reliance on the 101 freeway. Greater flexibility from the local government and community is needed to build more housing, including rezoning by transforming empty office buildings into modern lofts and condos to make housing more accessible for everyone in the equation.
As a food aficionado, I envision a plaza of creative food trucks where residents and visitors can enjoy and explore diverse culinary experiences. And seriously, why doesn’t Marin County have breakfast tacos? They’re one of the best inventions since the spaceship.
What is your business philosophy or motto?
Be brave enough to elegantly defy the status quo to disrupt, innovate and evolve as a human being. Never cut corners. Never settle for mediocrity.
If you were not living or operating in Marin County, where would you choose to? Why?
I would choose to live in the greater Palm Springs area again. While the Northern San Francisco Bay Area is undeniably beautiful, my heart longs for the California desert where I’ve previously resided. The allure of mid-century architecture, the dramatic mountain vistas, the palm trees, and the mesmerizing nocturnal desert ambiance, coupled with breathtaking sunrises, creates a territory that captivates me like no other.
What other professional career or business would you consider pursuing besides your current one?
After working in the diplomatic world and as a Photographer and Art Director for almost two decades in the fashion, film, and advertising industries, I would likely consider pursuing photography as an artist. Although I can be social for business and entrepreneurial endeavors, I also value my solitude to fully immerse myself in my creative explorations.
Based on your definition of investment, what is the best investment one can make?
To never stop learning, regardless of your age, from both books and life. To be highly selective about what and whom you invest your precious time in. Life is short, and knowledge and time are the top value currencies.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? And to your 50-year-old self?
Stop being so hard on yourself. Why were so you hard on yourself?
What do you hope your 100-year-old self will say about your life?
Regardless of the obstacles I had to overcome, I pushed myself through them, which made me the strong and resilient person I am today.
What is your idea of greatness?
Greatness is the bravery to be honest with yourself when others are dishonest with themselves just to fit in with the masses.
What role does creativity play in your life, and how do you nurture it?
I’ve always approached life and business with a creative flair, finding inventive solutions even in the smallest matters. This mindset has manifested itself in thinking outside the box for business challenges and everyday problems alike. Given that I’ve embarked on a real estate career, it’s been more challenging to be entirely creative due to the barriers that come with being a licensed real estate professional. During the early stages, we had to pivot 180 degrees with our business branding. My super talented husband, who has decades of experience in TV commercials, advertising, filmmaking, and creative directing, has been instrumental. We strive to balance our branding as creative real estate entrepreneurs within the boundaries set by legal and regulatory frameworks. To say the journey has been interesting is an understatement; coming from a background in photography and art direction rather than sales, accounting, or banking, it feels like trying to paint with a legal pad and a calculator. I nurture it by keeping the business approach a creative approach—and occasionally daydreaming about abstract art to the paperwork!
BLÅESS LUXURY REAL ESTATE x NATALIA BLAESS | FOUNDED BY NATALIA + FRANCK BLAESS
Northern California or Southern California? Why?
While Northern California has its natural beauty, I find myself captivated by the desert landscapes of Southern California. There’s something otherworldly about the expansive landscapes, palm trees contrasting against the mountains, the light and ambiance, mid-century modern architecture, and Joshua trees in the high desert.
Whether I’m stargazing under the expansive night sky or exploring the unique flora and fauna of the Mojave Desert, I’m constantly reminded of the raw beauty and resilience of nature. It’s like stepping into a Salvador Dalí painting, minus the melting clocks and mustache.
What do you like most about AI? What concerns you the most about AI?
Artificial Intelligence is a language learning model created by humans and based on human behavior, so in essence, it's not entirely "artificial." AI can offer significant advantages, such as bridging language barriers through real time translation and providing text-to-speech solutions that assist individuals with disabilities, including ADHD, can save lives and decades of work in medical research. However, AI is also overdue for thoughtful regulation.
AI represents a paradox: it can enhance human life by automating tasks and providing innovative solutions, yet it also poses risks such as job displacement, ethical concerns, and potential misuse. As such, it is crucial to address these challenges through appropriate regulatory frameworks to ensure its benefits are maximized while mitigating potential harms.
What is your vision for the future of California?
I hope California and local governments will prioritize updating residential rezoning laws with innovative, sustainable housing solutions and advancing the development of a high-speed rail line between Northern and Southern California. Japan’s long-standing, reliable, and efficient high-speed rail system serves as a model. As one of the largest economies in the world, California could aspire to similar sustainable solutions.
The current housing market in California remains tight, with high demand driving up prices to the point where even those in the upper middle class are being priced out of homeownership. Consequently, California is increasingly becoming a renter’s state, a trend also observed nationwide. Limited new construction, particularly in Marin County and many areas of the San Francisco Bay Area, means that even individuals with a high income often need to share housing with roommates due to exorbitant costs.
Additionally, California is often regarded as one of the less business-friendly states. The Golden State could do more to support small business owners, who are essential to local economies and the overall identity of each city and town. Many businesses have been relocating to more favorable states like Texas, Florida, and Nevada. I hope California will create a more financially sustainable environment for small business ownership, especially for sole proprietors, and offer incentives similar to those found in these other states.
What is your favorite philosophical quote?
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.” ― Anaïs Nin
As of today, what is your greatest professional achievement and why?
I’ll never view myself as a finished product, nor do I ever want to be. My goal is to keep growing, learning, and evolving continuously, no matter the heights I achieve professionally. The journey of self-improvement is a never-ending adventure that excites me more than any final destination.
What is your idea of retirement? What would it involve and where?
It will depend on how the world evolves, but I imagine I’ll somehow remain professionally engaged, most likely in a creative field such as photography or interior design. Ideally, this will be set in the serene Italian countryside of Umbria, Tuscany, or Puglia, where the sound of silence enhances the beauty of daily life.
If you could time travel for a day, where would you go and what would you do?
I would return to the eighties. As someone who grew up in that era back in Europe, I can attest that it was one of the best times of my life. The eighties were marked by innovation, creativity, and talent, with legends from Prince, George Michael, Michael Jackson, and more all flourishing without the overreliance on technology. People were more united, largely free from the polarizing effects of social media and the constant media submersion of today. Back then, people engaged in real-life conversations instead of fixating on their phones and selfies, and most families could still afford to buy a home or rent a condo and live with some sense of dignity.
In that nostalgic vision, I would likely head to Los Angeles to interior design a stunning hilltop property in the Hollywood Hills and drive a Pontiac Firebird. Given the current state of the world—marked by chaos, wars, polarization —I would hesitate to return. This raises an important question: Is this the world we want to create for future generations? And why do we allow these conditions to persist?
Do you believe we are living in a simulation?
It depends. When I was a photographer and art director, I didn’t feel like I was living in a simulation as much, since I could express myself more freely within my profession compared to the real estate world. My reality was a different experience back then, especially when I was residing in Montréal, Canada, in the charming Le Plateau-Mont-Royal with my beloved husband.
In recent years, life feels more like a simulation compared to a decade ago. People’s perceptions of reality have shifted, creating increasing social chaos and unrest. The world has changed rapidly and radically—from a global pandemic and the acceleration of technology with AI to a significantly polarized society. This has made reality feel more simulated to me. I believe it's essential to press the “hard reset” button: disconnect from social media and other media, immerse oneself in the present moment, read literature from paper books rather than electronic devices, connect with nature and the sounds of your surroundings, taste real food that's not GMO-modified, and truly live in the present moment.
If you could have a conversation with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you discuss?
Audrey Hepburn was the epitome of kindness, intelligence, class, and grace. Her beauty radiated from within. I would love to discuss current affairs, social media, and how she might have navigated these issues while maintaining her trademark poise and dignity.
What question do you wish we had asked you? What would your answer be?
Question: How do you see technology influencing the future of your field?
Answer: Whether we like it or not, technology will continue to transform and revolutionize the real estate world, enhancing efficiency and accessibility. Advances in data analytics, virtual reality, and AI are already revolutionizing how properties are bought, sold, and managed. For example, the Apple Vision Pro is already revolutionizing real estate by enabling immersive virtual property tours, allowing buyers to explore homes remotely with unprecedented detail. The headset will enhance marketing by creating engaging, interactive property experiences that capture potential buyers’ interest more effectively. Additionally, it will facilitate virtual meetings and remote collaborations, streamlining interactions between real estate professionals and clients. Its sophisticated display will also improve data visualization, making complex real estate information more accessible and easier to understand for both buyers and sellers.
THE BLAESS CO.| FOUNDED BY FRANCK + NATALIA BLAESS
