Today we’d like to introduce you to Nilva Gonzalez.
Hi Nilva, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Nilva Gonzalez. I am woman, mother, wife, minority, and disabled vet. I hold a General Contractor License and Roofing License. I am the owner of Nakoma Construction Inc a commercial contracting firm in Melbourne, Florida I also own Nakoma Roofing a commercial and residential roofing company and I am co-owner to Total Contractor Solutions which is a permitting company that helps contractors with all their needs from permits, estimates, inspections, and licensing regulations. I am an entrepreneur, speaker, and motivator. My life was not always so easy though. After High School, I joined the Air Force. The Air Force gave me a stable career, discipline, leadership skills and it taught me work ethic. After I got out of the Air Force I moved to Orlando Fl and went to college. I graduated with a master’s degree in health care administration. I started in construction as a drywall subcontractor and worked my way up. As a female in construction, it has been very tough to get where I am today but it is also a lifelong lucrative career. If I could go back, I would tell myself to believe in myself and embrace failures because adversity is what makes you stronger. As women, we are often afraid to try, afraid to fail, and afraid to speak up. My main goal now is to educate young women and girls about their career options in this industry so they can grow up and be successful and have leadership skills, life skills, and broaden their aspirations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Just being a woman in construction alone is a struggle on a daily basis. I feel in construction women are not seen as “smart enough, strong enough” Most companies will also attempt to lowball you if you allow them to. You must be tough in construction or they (men, companies, subs, etc) will eat you alive.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the owner of Nakoma Construction Inc a commercial contracting firm in Melbourne, Florida I also own Nakoma Roofing a commercial and residential roofing company and I am co-owner to Total Contractor Solutions which is a permitting company that helps contractors with all their needs from permits, estimates, inspections, and licensing regulations.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Yes, covid taught me that at the end of the day the only people who are there for you is your family and very close friends. Family matters more than you realize and self-care is super important it is not a luxury. If we are not healthy or have a way to decompress every day it will affect our overall health.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nakomaroofing.com
- Instagram: the girl on the roofs
- Facebook: nakoma roofing & construction
- Other: TikTok nakoma roofing
