Fernanda Negromonte was born and raised in João Pessoa, a coastal city in northeast Brazil. João Pessoa is known for its colorful architecture, vibrant culture, and bright blue waters. Yet, opportunity was scarce in this South American city, and Fernanda always dreamed of moving to the United States.

 

At 18 years old, she approached her parents, expressing her desire to emigrate, and they surprised her with their answer.

 

“My mom said, ‘Let's all go together and try it out for a better life.’ So we all moved here — my parents and younger brother and sister, who were 15 and 14 at the time.”

 

When Fernanda arrived in Florida in 2001, she knew very little English, and the culture was unfamiliar. She did whatever she could to make ends meet — cleaning homes, washing rental cars, and working in manufacturing.

 

“It was very hard. I left behind a lot of friends and a life there. When I came here, I didn't know anybody, so it was difficult,” Fernanda reflects. “But I figured I didn't have any option and had to make it work.”

 

The following years were filled with challenges but also joys; Fernanda is the type of person that brings a smile to any situation. She recalls cleaning homes alongside her mother, marveling at the houses, dreaming of the day she may one day own one. Little did she know, selling those very same homes would soon become her profession.

 

Fast forward to 2008, when Fernanda first entered the real estate business. By that time, Florida had become home, the culture familiar, and she spoke the language with ease. When a friend asked her to join her in timeshare sales, she decided to get her real estate license and give it a shot.

 

“I went to work with her, but I hated it,” Fernanda admits. “But I thought since I had my license, let's make the best out of it. I quit the timeshare and jumped into real estate even though everyone was quitting real estate at the time.”

 

Fernanda was focused and driven. Despite the down market, she connected with investors, building a solid foundation amid a historic recession. As the market recovered, her business soared.

 

In 2015, Fernanda took her career to the next level, founding Nova Real Estate. For several years, she used Nova as the platform for her personal sales business with no intent to grow a team. That all changed three years ago when she decided to devote herself to expanding the brokerage.

 

Today, Nova Real Estate is a brokerage of over 25 agents. The team closed just shy of $100 million in 2022, including $50 million by Fernanda herself. While many brokerages are moving toward remote work options, Fernanda has taken the opposite approach.

 

“It’s been awesome. Our agents love our office space. I feel like everybody wants to be a part of something. It can be isolating to do everything by yourself. The culture here is very important,” Fernanda beams. “We are building a culture, and now, agents are coming to me. This year, we’re definitely going to increase those numbers.”

 

As Fernanda reflects on her journey, she marvels at how far she has come. She and her husband, Ari, are now growing their family; they have two daughters, Ayla (4) and Maya (born January 2023).

 

Fernanda’s primary goal is to provide a better life for her kids — and, eventually, their kids. Her decision to move from Brazil to the US was difficult, but it’s a choice that has brought countless blessings into her life and the lives of her family members.

 

“It’s been over 20 years now. It’s more than my best dream. I have always worked really hard, even when I first came here. Now, when I look back… sometimes I have to pinch myself. Everything I have dreamt of, I’ve accomplished. Every year, life and work are getting better and better. Now, it’s where do we go from here?”