Natalie Urena is a mom of two, a wife and the person behind The Nona Feed. Read our interview with her below!
Nonahood News: What is your job?
Natalie Urena: Our main business is a Mattress Manufacturing Company; It’s a family-owned business based in the Dominican Republic. For that business, I work on marketing and in Orlando managing the office alongside my husband. The Nona Feed is something I started working on about two years ago. I’m really a fashion designer with a minor in marketing. I used to work in the Fashion Industry in New York. After I had kids, I felt like living in New York wasn’t the lifestyle I wanted for my family, that said I have this creative side to me that I needed to let out, so that’s how I started to work on social media, creating content and doing graphic design.
NHN: What does your day-to-day schedule look like?
NU: So, first I’m a mom; I have two beautiful girls, Chloe and Annabella. My day-to-day starts with me getting them ready for school, making breakfast, and then dropping them off. In the morning, I usually work for our mattress company and in the afternoon, I work on my personal projects, social media, content creation, and graphic design. I also always try to fit in some type of workout whether it’s running or going to the gym. We usually end the day by taking our daughters to the park or for a walk around the community.
NHN: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
NU: I think staying relevant. The social media world is very competitive, so I feel pushed to always be creative and find new ways to make content that attracts people and keeps them interested. My clients are so special to me so I like to have them each be unique and I love to create things that get them excited to post and show off their products or brand.
NHN: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
NU: My passion project is everything to me right now, so I think staying relevant. Since I create content and new photography, it’s also making each of my clients feel special, making their work exciting, and paying as much attention as I can to each of them.
NHN: What got you interested in doing your current job in this area?
NU: In terms of The Nona Feed, I feel like this community has so much to offer. It was so easy to just start a social media page on it. It sounds super cheesy, but I feel like it’s capturing the lifestyle.
NHN: Do you have any interesting hobbies, collections or interests?
NU: Yes, I have this obsession with plants. I love taking care of them and collecting different types of plants.
NHN: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
NU: I see myself here in Lake Nona and I see this passion project probably growing into something bigger. But like I said, I’m a mom first, so this whole thing started as something that would give me the flexibility to watch my little girls grow and be a part of their lives.
NHN: What brought you to Lake Nona and when did you move here?
NU: We bought our house two years ago. The first time I came here was about six years ago. The look of this area six years ago was something totally different then all that it is now. I had been searching for a place to buy our first home and to have my little girls grow up. The first time I drove by this community and saw kids playing in the park and people walking their dogs and just so many people out talking to each other it just gave me a good feeling, I kept coming around every once in a while, I was quickly convinced this is where I wanted to buy our first home.
NHN: Where are you from originally?
NU: I was born in New York, but I am from the Dominican Republic.
NHN: What would you say is your favorite part about Lake Nona?
NU: A combination between the community and the parks we have.
NHN: What would you say to anyone who is considering a move to Lake Nona?
NU: Stop considering it and just do it!
