Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natasha Geverola. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Natasha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Taking risks for me meant that I had to bet on myself and step outside of my comfort zone and seize the opportunity when it came. It also meant that even though uncertainty and no guarantee was breathing at the door, doubt just could not lead. Straight out of college I decided to start my own business. I had just graduated with my Masters in Architecture as a single mom of 7 yr old twin boys and expecting a baby girl on the way and just moved out with my boyfriend. At that time, I also wanted the flexibility and ability to be present for my young children and so I decided to start my own business and work from home doing Graphic and Interior Design. Being that this was not the typical route straight out of college, many of my family members grew concerned over my decision, but I knew it was the best decision for my family. By December 12, 2012 I was a mother of 3 and had established my business through word of mouth helping startup/small business owners proving Commercial Interior Design as well as a full Branding Package: Logo, Business Cards, Marketing Materials, and Websites. After a few years, I knew I wanted to build my experience in architecture and decided to work for a firm. Within my 10 year tenure, I gained a variety of experience in Residential Multi-Family, Affordable Housing, Mixed Used projects, High-Rise Residential, Low Density Residential, Semi-Custom Single Family Homes, and Commercial Design/Tenant Improvements.
By 2022, I was a mother of 5 with 19 yr. old twins in College Football, a10 yr. old Daughter in Competitive dance, and two energetic toddlers ages 3 and 1.5 years old. MY LIFE WAS BUSY and I always knew I wanted to pick my business up. By the end of 2022, I incorporated my Architectural Design Business, starting small by networking and connecting with GC’s and built my clientele through word of mouth. NCG Design Inc was established in Jan 2023 providing Architectural Design Services for Residential and Commercial Projects all over Southern California. Within the 1st year I was able to partner with various General Contractors, which led to a connection working on a project with HGTV’s Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, which opened up a larger network of contractors to partner with as well as more opportunities working with HGTV.
Looking back, starting my own business was the best decision I could have made. Starting my own business allowed me to serve others through architecture and also have the flexibility to be present for my family when they needed me. Nothing beats waking up in the morning knowing that I am in charge of my own schedule and future. With that said, I also understand the measure of responsibility, discipline, and personal growth it takes to succeed.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up as an artist, always painting, sketching, drawing the world around me, as well as encompassing my imagination in a sketch. I designed my first dream house when I was 8 years old, but it wasn’t until I was 11 yrs. old visiting my family in the Philippines, my Aunt was an Architect in the Philippines and she had designed her sisters homes and I loved the idea of being able to do that for my family someday and so began my Architectural journey. For me Architecture was an artform and the world was my canvas. NCG Design Inc considers a holistic approach to design which goes beyond the problem. I focus my architectural services on understanding my client’s vision and interpreting it into a space which is meaningful to them, speaks to their roots, as well as to their future. By combining art and technology I can immerse my clients in a meaningful space using virtual reality technology and BIM (Building Information Modeling) software systems. Additionally, NCG Design Inc provides architectural design services, Interior Design Services, 3D Renderings, Permit Submittal and Managements, Matterport Services and As-Built Services.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A few months after I incorporated my business, my mother’s health had begun to deteriorate after 1 year of fighting cancer. I was grateful to have the ability to spend the precious time we had left together by her side. During this time, I experienced the excitement of building my future and then great moments of sadness and grief. I had also not yet built enough savings to take any bereavement or time off, so I would bring my work and sit down with her by her hospital bed, talking to her when she was awake and when she was asleep and resting, I would continue to work and complete my projects. I am extremely grateful that this business gave me the flexibility to be by her bedside the last few weeks of her life. If there was anything that I learned from her it was STRENGTH. She taught me to stand by my values and my truth, even if… no one stood with me. She taught me to continue on my own path, even if… no one believed in me. She taught me to persevere even if… things got difficult. After she had passed away, I’ve felt a huge responsibility to achieve the goals I set out. I had to learn to continue to build and at the same time also allow grief to happen when it did. I also learned the importance of building multiple streams of income was necessary so I can have the option to take care of the needs of my family without my income being compromised. If it were not for my association and mentors support to stand strong with me during this journey, I would not have been able to stay as focused in such a critical time, as I still had the responsibility of providing for my family. They taught me to rise above the circumstances, so I can still be there for my mom, but not lose the hope, excitement and focus for the future I was creating. A few months after my eldests moved away to college, and my Dad also moved out to another state and I knew I had to build that mental fortitude in my mind and continue to provide because I had a family counting on me. Everyday I chose to set my mindset towards a positive trajectory to continue to maintain the momentum I had created at the beginning of the year when I made that decision to begin my business. But to be honest, I could not have done it by myself, I found the strength with the support of my husband and family, as well as an incredible association and mentors always striving to pull the greatness out of me, even though I may not have had the belief in myself. THEY BELIEVED IN ME. I knew that this was something very rare to have in this world. So when you find individuals who come into your life and do that for you, keep them close and don’t let go.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

YES, SO MANY! From what I have learned from my mentors and entrepreneurs who came before me, success is 95% internal (mindset) and 5% external (strategy). So, it all begins from within. I cannot stress the importance of obtaining a positive mindset and building a mental fortitude. It’s all about mindset, from the moment you wake up to the moment you rest. Everything is up to you. Your emotions, your thoughts, your perception, your reactions. EVERY MOMENT. A few books I keep close and read repeatedly to develop the entrepreneurial mind are:
• An Enemy Called Average by John Mason
• Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
• Switch on Your Brain by Dr Caroline Leaf
• As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
• The Science of Getting Rich for Women by Sarah Connell
• You Are the Placebo by Dr Joe Dispenza
For Management and work habit I constantly go back to:
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, and Win the Day by Mark Batterson
For Leadership and Business:
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Everyone Communicates Few Connect by John Maxwell
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ncgdesigninc.com
• Instagram: _ncgdesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ncg-design-inc

Image Credits
PHOTOGRAPHER : DIANNA IPPOLITO PHOTOGRAPHER : CAMRYN CLAIR ARCHITECTURAL RENDERINGS: NCG DESIGN INC