Exploring Life & Business with Denise Reed of The Concierge Office Suites

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Reed.

Hi Denise, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello! My name is Denise Reed. Nice to meet you. You probably don’t care, until you find out who I really am. See, I’m really your business fairy godmother, Fleur De Lis. Not many people know this. My whole existence has been serving people both personally and professionally. I love my work! I help people achieve their goals, solve their problems and make their days better at every opportunity possible. I have the chance to work my daily magic at The Concierge Office Suites located in the United States of America in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I came to work here in 1999. The business was established in 1995. I fell in love with my work here serving all kinds of businesses, the people that represent them and their guests. I am passionate about giving people the magic of an a-ha moment. Every single day is different and interesting because of all the ways I find to help people achieve their dreams. I have all kinds of people that help me, too.

What made you start your business or the inspiration behind it?

The Concierge Office Suites History
A friend of mine told me about the Concierge Office suites after I completed my Bachelor’s Degree. I started looking around for a job that I would really want. I was freelancing on various print design jobs as my Associate Degree in advertising opened these career doors for me. I started landing informational interviews to find out about various businesses and introduce myself. I was amazed at all the interesting possibilities to use my advertising experience and 10 years of project management experience from Shaw Industries Corporate Quality Engineering – especially if I could land the position at The Concierge Office Suites. A year later, I got the call! I was invited on a freelance basis to help launch a training course for the sister company, Chaff & Co. I loved the work. The business owner of both companies asked the question I was waiting to hear! She asked if I wanted a full-time job! I said, “Yes!” I got involved in all kinds of advertising projects. I started supporting the other staff and serving clients from both companies!

A whole year into my work I told the owner that if given the chance I wanted to buy The Concierge Office Suites! The company was founded in 1995. Little by little I was handed more and more responsibility to run day-to-day operations of this amazing executive suite. I got to know all the clients and learn about their companies as I supported them on a project-by-project basis. I helped with data management, advertising, event management, and coordination, whatever our clients needed I was there to make it happen! I was always doing something different from beverage service for a meeting, managing telephony changes, coordinating a residential real estate launch to working with the Convention & Visitors Bureau tour of Chattanooga! I didn’t do all this work alone. I had legions of vendors to vet and coordinate.

The owner was in full swing with her other company. She was writing a book that was a collaborative effort between the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association. This was a first for them. She was bringing them together. In 2006, she completed the book and it was out to print. She was ready to launch a massive training program.

She decided to reduce her responsibility and sell The Concierge Office Suites. I was ready to shine! She came and made the announcement to me. She asked if I wanted to buy it! I took a deep breath. Without hesitation, I said, “Yes!” I had no idea where I was going to get the money for this monster purchase, but somehow I would figure it out. I told her this with a side option that I would help her continue the business until it was sold – either to me or someone else. It was a long summer talking to several buyers, keeping our clients calm about the process, and trying to figure out how the heck I was going to find funding for this massive purchase!

Come to find out one of our clients had a marvelous idea! See, his job was to buy, sell and fund start-up businesses. He asked to see my business plan! I didn’t really have a written plan – yet! I just knew what really needed to be done to better serve our current clients. I knew what the income potential was. I knew and had built working relationships with all our vendors. I just needed to add how I was going to market it and map out my costs. I got to work!

My client, the owner, one of my coworkers and I sat down to discuss my plan. I presented it to them over dinner. After several conversations, the owner announced she would owner finance to me! She would spread out the payments over five years! I could pay monthly with services to her and cash. We kept pushing forward on the purchase. October 1, 2006, The Concierge Office Suites was mine!

I knew I could make it all work. I had done everything but pay the bills for seven years. Current and potential clients were thrilled I was the new owner. I immediately started making equipment improvements. Clients were full speed ahead signing agreements for service.

My client who helped broker the purchase became my ace in the hole. I knew the company had positive cash flow. The thing I totally overlooked was exactly when during the month I would receive my client payments versus when vendors needed their money. To truly make a business work you must know this! Out of the blue, one of my clients came to me and offered a start-up loan! I never expected this vote of confidence in my work. I didn’t ask. He just offered and then asked just how much I really needed. He didn’t have any hard-core terms. He just wanted to be paid back with reasonable interest.

Just take a minute to celebrate with me as I wax nostalgic. “The company” was founded in 1995. I came to work here in 1999. Seven years later I bought the business in 2006. In October 2025 we celebrate thirty years in business. The Concierge Office Suites has been woman founded, owned, and operated for the whole of her existence. One of our longest-served clients retired from his private office after 27 years with us. I will share with you that my angel investor was repaid. The owner received her final payment in five years. We continue to serve our clients and going strong even now!

I have learned so much about business since walking in the door in 1999. Owning your own business is not for the undetermined. You must push yourself and your team, or should I say inspire them and yourself. You must love learning and people! I’ll share a quote from Pat Brock, “You must keep going or you’ll stop.”

Business is about flow. Your services or products must meet the needs of your clients. Your vendors must meet your needs to serve your clients. Your cash must be in flow both in and out of your company. You must get your message out so people know you can serve them and exactly what you’re serving. You must keep refining everything about your company. Keep asking, how might we make this even better?

TCOS Inspired Buzz
When I came to work here as an employee, I loved having every day be different. The Concierge Office Suites is a full-service executive suite. Most people at first glance go – commercial real estate. What the average person doesn’t know is we are way more than a box with a door. We are more than a post office box to nowhere. We are more than a meeting room. We, our team of Business Concierge, are here to connect our clients with resources so they can accomplish more. The best part is everyone’s “more” is different. It’s like we get to go on a business treasure hunt on behalf of our clients. Some client requests are simple like: is the meeting room available on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until noon? I would like coffee and water for myself and two guests. Please validate their parking. Let me know when they arrive. I’ll come to get them from the lobby.

We offer our private office clients the option to furnish their own furniture, rent furniture or purchase their furniture. We’ve asked clients which option works best for them. We’ve even shopped for their desired pieces, shown photos of what we found, scheduled their delivery, set up their office, or assemble their purchased pieces right out of the box. All this to say they were able to work in the door and go to work!

Our virtual office clients really know how to mix things up. These types of clients are all about just-in-time service. We can be asked about a particular piece of mail, a meeting room, add in a notary, a signing witness, copies, research for a project or resource, a document scan, ship out my mail to me while I travel, where do I go for my business licenses, find a restaurant that serves breakfast after 10 a.m. downtown.

The list is endless for our client’s service requests. Our intention is to make things happen on behalf of our clients. We fully intend to make our executive suite about the service they can expect by doing business with us, and “the where they are” the real estate becomes the second part of the conversation. Concierge is the foundation our executive suite is built upon!

No, we’re not in New York, Atlanta, or Los Angeles. We’ve been quietly serving our clients in the central business district of Chattanooga, TN, right here in the Southeast U.S. The really fun fact is we’re halfway from the most southern point and halfway from the most northern point of the eastern U.S. We think we are in a total Goldilocks U.S. location. We have all four seasons. For the U.S., living expenses are not through the roof. Our airport is very easy to navigate. We are a two-hour drive from two international airports, one in Nashville, TN, and the second in Atlanta, GA. We have lots outdoors to enjoy including mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, and lakes. We’re a day’s drive from beaches on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastlines. We’re one of the four largest cities in Tennessee. We are home to Volkswagen U.S.A. The list is long for reasons why you’ll love Chattanooga, TN. Because you’re here at The Concierge Office Suites and our team of Business Concierge you can truly focus on your business and not manage your office because we are here for you!

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.

Every great business has a story of passion and purpose, and The Concierge Office Suites is no exception. As the President and self-proclaimed “business fairy godmother,” I’ve dedicated my career to helping others achieve their dreams through exceptional service and support.

My executive suite journey began in 1999 when I joined The Concierge Office Suites, a company established in 1995. What started as a freelance position for one project quickly evolved into a full-time role, where I immersed myself in every aspect of the business – from client services to operations management. By 2006, my dedication and vision led to the opportunity to purchase the business, a milestone achieved through the support of our loyal clients and the previous owner’s belief in my capabilities.

What sets us apart isn’t just our prestigious location in downtown Chattanooga or our premium office spaces – it’s our unwavering commitment to service. We’re more than just an executive suite; we’re a team of Business Concierges who connect our clients with resources to accomplish more. Whether it’s managing a private office, coordinating virtual office services, or hosting professional meetings, we handle the details so our clients can focus on what matters most – growing their businesses.

Today, The Concierge Office Suites continues its legacy as a woman-founded, owned, and operated business, celebrating over 25 years of serving the Chattanooga business community. We’ve maintained our founding principles of providing freedom, productivity, and gracious hospitality while adapting to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Our success story is really about the success of our clients. As I often tell my granddaughter, “You know you’re in business when someone wants to pay you for your work!” We’re proud to be part of Chattanooga’s vibrant business landscape, helping entrepreneurs and professionals achieve their goals while maintaining the perfect work-life balance.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had countless struggles. I have chosen not to let them hold me back! I bought The Concierge Office Suites because I loved the work and I knew how it functioned. I NEVER realized how important people skills were until I really had to manage employees. Even with your best intentions not everyone lives with the same morals, ethics or values you might have. This can really create strife in your team. I’ve learned it’s best to hire slow and fire FAST! If your clients are suffering, it’s time to find new staff. As a business owner, you have to remember if your business is in jepordy as result of a staff member they don’t need to be your employee!

We’ve been impressed with The Concierge Office Suites, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Premier Executive Suite Office Space in Chattanooga, TN

Whether you’re a seasoned business professional, C-suite executive, or evolved entrepreneur focusing on your area of business expertise, we understand you need to concentrate on your work, meet with clients in a private meeting space, and professionally present yourself. That is why The Concierge Office Suites is here. We provide a premier executive suite office space in Chattanooga, TN.

We are here to assist you with a whole menu of flexible executive suite service options. Just ask. No more commitments to long-term leases. Gain the freedom to have meetings in a professional setting for your confidential business discussions for as little as an hour through our event rental services. Our executive suite includes conference spaces, virtual office positioning, business concierge support, and private office rental. We have meeting rooms that are professionally decorated and well-equipped to handle small-group discussions and lengthy video or Zoom meetings.

Why Choose Us?
The Concierge Office Suites provides much more than a coworking space, coffee shop, or box with a door. We are here to help you and your business in a welcoming, hospitality-focused, business-casual workplace setting. We are proud to say we’ve offered this since 1995. Are you looking for private office space rental, a virtual office rental in Chattanooga, TN, or maybe just a meeting space for an hour? We’ve got you covered.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I can see more and more professionals looking for flexible just-in-time options for work and less commitment to their real estate holdings. The Internet is bringing down barriers to work. A.I. is a whole new wave of innovation the current workforce is unprepared for. Our team is immersing itself in the wave of A.I. so we can better support our clients going forward. We, The Concierge Office Suites, is built to serve all these changes. It’s why our support team are Business Concierge. We are all about building connections and collections of resources to support our Clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theconciergeofficesuites.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconciergeofficesuitescha/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConciergeOfficeSuites
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-concierge-office-suites/
• Twitter: https://x.com/ConciergeLevel
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theconciergeofficesuites