Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Antonioni.
Natasha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Moving to Austin seven years ago was the start of a new chapter for my family and myself. I’d spent my entire adult life in the beauty industry, from styling models for runway shows, working on celebrities, managing and running my two Los Angeles hair salons, and working as a brand ambassador and educator for a L’Oreal brand. Leaving LA was a tough decision but we had two little girls to raise, wanted more space and a more family-centric culture. Well, we got what we were looking for and so much more. The generosity we found in Austin literally opened my heart and spirit and made me believe in humanity again. Neighbors came to our door with warm cookies, sang us Christmas carols and we had multiple invites to holiday dinners because of their concern that we didn’t have family here. Really? I thought. Where the heck are we? I love this place!
Soon after I became a realtor, a seamless career transition with all the years of working in the service industry and having a highly talented industrial and architectural designer husband. Design is our world. We’ve worked on a number of homes together and live and breathe design. My real estate career blossomed quickly and naturally lead to client renovations and a YouTube channel called Austin Life by Natasha Antonioni (bit.ly/AntonioniYouTube) where we cover real estate, design, and Austin culture.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Is there such thing as a smooth road for anyone? I know it may appear to be smooth, but truly it never is. From the outside, it may look like it’s been an easy ride there have definitely been a fair amount of bumps. Transitioning into a new career, no matter how good a fit, comes with a big learning curve. Going back to school was one of the least fun parts. Learning the state laws was definitely not a party. Building new friendships with depth in a new place takes time. We went through a few seemingly good friendships to find out that they were not fond of bumps when they quickly jumped ship at the smallest pebbles.
We lost a home back in Northern California during the 2017 fires that had two short-term rental properties on it, which would have made three for us and tipped us closer to semi-retirement. So yes, there were some right and left hooks along the way but I don’t think anyone escapes life’s curveballs. I know we need to give ourselves time to recover from the pains. However, I don’t believe in “living” in them for too, too long. Instead, I choose to be on the side of the party that picks up my chin and keeps on keeping on. We will continue to build the short-term rental portfolio with just a little more patience and time than we anticipated. We will nurture the friendships that can take the bumps and even craters and we will continue to move toward building a life we love and can be proud of and hopefully gives back along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I shot a wonderful interview recently with a friend and inspiration, Ingrid Vandervelt. We have both transitioned along our career paths and talked about how people will often say – So, what are you up to NOW? We both hold a similar philosophy that we do not have to be one thing. Today, I say I’m a creator. I say it because it’s what I’ve always been. Yes, I sell residential and investment real estate. Yes, I work on interior design projects. Yes, I work on my own development projects and create video content today. But there’s something that brings it all together. I call it the golden cord and believe we all have one. It’s the thing that, when you look back on your life, you can see it’s run through everything you’ve done.
My golden cord is that I love helping people to achieve their dreams. I love being of service to those that are striving towards their life goals and their best selves. I love to be a guide or helper along their path. I call it a hand-crafted life. It’s not someone else’s vision, it’s yours. You’ve made it, carved it, and built it and when I look back, I can see that cord through all the twists and turns of my professional life. I sometimes even think that it doesn’t matter what I do as long as I can create my own and help others create their dreams which is why my hashtag is #LiveYourDreamAlready.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up on Long Island. Some of the happiest family memories I have were of walking on the beach with my parents and baby sister. She’s seven years younger, so truly was a baby compared to me. I just loved the wind in my hair, the feeling of freedom, my parents being at ease (not often the case), and my little sister chasing after me. She loved the water and still does today.
One time she ran full speed, plunging into the waves. I was older and had been pummeled often by the harsh Atlantic waves so I was a lot less enthusiastic about running into the ice-cold ocean. Still, being her big sis I flew into the ocean to save her when a wave crashed down on top of her. She stood up laughing and running towards the next one, getting slammed again and again and loving every moment of it. We stood by at the ocean’s edge, watching her have the time of her life and laughing until our bellies ached. That was a good one. And side note was a big teller of the person she would become as she often plunges into life full throttle and even when she crashes, she just stands up and goes after it all over again.
Contact Info:
- Email: Natasha@antonioniestates.com
- Website: www.antonioniestates.com
- Instagram: @Natasha_antonioni
- Facebook: @AntonioniEstates
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/AustinLifebyNatashaAntonioni
