Nelda Braver
In January, architect Nelda Braver was feeling the work-at-home woes that many small business owners eventually feel, and decided she needed to get out of the house and away from the home-office distractions. So she joined Laptop Lounge and attended the Members Only monthly Mastermind Group at our launch of the “Best Year Yet” program.
“I joined Laptop Lounge because I needed to get out of the house. After my tour of Laptop Lounge’s beautiful shared workspace I knew that this was the place for my part-time office: much more professional than my dining table for meetings with consultants and clients, yet a truly comfortable ‘vibe.’ Laptop Lounge met my immediate needs to get away from the distractions of my home office, be productive, and organize my thoughts. One unexpected benefit is the amazing array of entrepreneurs who are equally committed to their businesses and professional growth I keep meeting. Events at the Lounge are always fun and the connections I’ve made with others are invaluable. The members-only benefits have helped me expand not just my business, but my vision for my business.”
Nelda notes, “I am continually amazed by the caliber of people I am meeting each day by participating in this community.” As a member of the community, Nelda was able to quickly expand her networking activities.
In early February, Nelda’s phone began to ring. Previously pleased clients were coming back for more; new proposals were going out; and Braver Designs began to grow. Primarily, the work consisted of the design and preparation of construction drawings for new homes, additions, and remodels; however, she also got contracts for a non-profit worship center, apartment renovations, and a village for children rescued from human trafficking.
In time, Nelda realized that she did not have to set a limit on her success – and she credits the Mastermind group at Laptop Lounge for the inspiration. “Through my regular meetings with the Mastermind Group, I realized I could hire consultants and drafters to help me with the new work. I also realized that I have many resources to call on as I develop six divisions for Braver Designs.”
In the past 8 months, Braver Designs has grown from whatever project she could sign to offering architectural services for:
- Apartment Renovation
- New Homes
- Non-Profits and Worship Centers
- Additions and Remodels
- CASp Certification – Accessibility auditing of businesses
- Rain Water Harvesting Sails
“What a wonderful year and I am enjoying the work I am doing and look forward to exciting new adventures in the future.” Laptop Lounge looks forward to contributing to some of Nelda’s upcoming adventures and is pleased to count her among our high caliber member list.
For help with your next project, Contact Nelda, or visit her website: Braver Designs
About Nelda Braver:
Nelda H. Braver has been licensed in the State of California to practice architecture since April of 1987. She has been working in the field of design and construction for over 30 years. Her love for architecture started when her father suggested that she take a drafting class high school. She enjoyed it and took an architecture class in her senior year. She fell in love with the precision and artistic outlet it provided.
She graduated from University of California at Berkeley in 1977 with honors. She has a major in architecture from the College of Environmental Design. She interned with Beverly Willis, Architect in San Francisco and worked for several architects, landscape architects, interior designers and land planners in her early years in Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill.
She opened Braver Designs in 1989 to be home with the children while they were young and gained much experience in additions, kitchen remodels, bath remodels, and new homes. She also started some adaptive reuse of older buildings in downtown Pittsburg, California.
She started working for Dahlin Group Architecture-Planning in 1998 as a project architect over many estate homes and townhouses. Her main clients were developer builders. In 2008 she reopened her home office in Pleasant Hill and has added to her experience; green building certifications, a worship center, a village for at risk youth, accessibility plans for restaurants, outdoor structures, including three cabanas, and more additions, kitchen and bath remodels and a new home in the Oakland Hills. She even has given “Green Building” talks and classes. A new exciting client is one how renovates apartment buildings and then “flips” them.
She plans on expanding her business and helping more homeowners, non-profits, and business owners achieve their dream spaces.
Braver Designs; putting a foundation on your dreams
