Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Rodriguez.
Hi Natalie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in McAllen, Texas, although I’m a proud San Antonian, as I grew up here. A good friend and I were talking one day about what we wanted to do as a career and what to study at university. I mentioned that I was considering interior design, as I grew up heavily involved with visual and performing arts, so this seemed to be a good fit. She replied that her aunt was an interior designer, but for airplanes. In this instant, I knew this was what I would do! I’ve known that I wanted to design aircraft interiors since I was in high school – I was 16 years old.
I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Interior Environmental Design from the University of the Incarnate Word. While at UIW, I completed my design internship with Gore Design Completions (in San Antonio), and they kept me on as a part-time designer while I was finishing my degree. It was here where the journey officially began. I had no idea what to expect going in, and to my surprise, we were working on Boeing and Airbus aircraft that were essentially customized flying palaces for private and corporate use, as well as for Heads of State. I also learned about San Antonio’s rich history in VVIP aircraft interior completions, which makes me even more proud to have grown here.
After graduating, I spent some time with residential and commercial business interiors, with my heart always remaining in aviation. I was later able to get on board with designing for the VVIP aircraft completion center AERIA Luxury Interiors in San Antonio and worked there for three years. I then transitioned to Citadel Completions based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in June 2020, where I stayed for two years. In August 2022, I returned to San Antonio, took a leap of faith, and opened my independent design practice as Natalie Rodríguez Luxury Design, specializing in luxury interiors for VVIP private aircraft. It has been the scariest, most enriching decision I have made in my career thus far, and I love every minute of it.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Business aviation, specifically VVIP completions, is a niche industry unique in that prosperity tends to fluctuate based on various world events. It will likely be different for how these events affect the commercial aviation/airline sector. There are many periods in which it’s very busy, with many late nights, last-minute customer visits and presentations, and working tirelessly to ensure everything is delivered in the timeliest manner of the highest possible quality and accuracy. There are also very quiet periods where there is little activity industry-wide. This roller coaster effect took some getting used to when I first started in the industry, although it helped prepare me for what to expect when opening a business in this niche. Right now, coming off the heels of the Pandemic, things have been extremely busy as more individuals invest in private air travel for increased priority in health, safety, and security, which I’m so thankful for.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us more about your business.
Natalie Rodríguez Luxury Design is an exclusive design practice servicing VVIP private aircraft interiors. We specialize in Boeing and Airbus aircraft (both narrow and wide-body variants), designing fully customized luxury cabins for aircraft completion and refurbishment servicing Heads of State / Government Bodies, Ultra-High-Net-Worth clientele, as well as private aircraft for corporate and/or charter use. We are also proud to service luxury cabins for light-long range business jets.
Leading up to building Natalie Rodríguez Luxury Design, it has been an honor and great pleasure to service some of the most famed corporations, individuals, and World Leaders (NDA), all coming from various backgrounds, cultures, and design styles ranging from contemporary clean to business jet classic, to palatial opulence. Our design approach is entirely customer-centric, and no two programs are identical. Whether it is starting from a green aircraft straight from the manufacturer and building the cabin from scratch or changing the carpet and seat leather in an existing interior, the ultimate goal is to curate an interior that will resonate with the Customer’s style, desires, and specific requirements to carry out the mission of their aircraft most successfully.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
My parents always taught me growing up to be my true authentic self, which I still think about to this day and plays a crucial role in my professional and personal life. I grew up with a highly positive outlook on life, which is how I continue to operate. I’ve found that it’s much easier to face the complexities and difficulties of life through positivity, prayer, smiling, and laughing as much as possible!
In addition to involvement with visual arts (mostly sketching and painting), I also grew up as a competitive dancer, which has prepared me for life. This component of my life has taught me how to work as a team, build resilience, and accept constructive criticism. I also learned that with dedication, perseverance, and continued practice in any craft, there will always be improvement, and desired goals will eventually be reached.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.natalierodriguez.design
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalierdzzz/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-rodríguez-luxury-design
