In this episode of Tell Us Your Story… Welcome to the Arena, we sit down with Emilia Navedo, a business owner whose path has stretched across continents, industries, and passions. Her story is one of bold moves, heartfelt choices, and a constant pursuit of meaningful work.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Emilia was the youngest of three children in a close-knit family. From an early age, she was driven, curious, and deeply social. “I loved school,” she said, “but I also loved the social dynamic.” With a natural aptitude for math and logic, Emilia thrived academically—even winning 4th place nationally in algebra.
But her childhood wasn’t without challenge. After getting suspended once in middle school, she found herself solving 100 math problems as punishment—something she laughed about later. Her parents had high expectations, instilling discipline while encouraging independence and creativity. “They taught us to work hard for what we wanted,” Emilia explained.
Early Dreams and Bold Moves
Emilia’s father is an architect and her mother a kindergarten teacher, so it was no surprise she initially considered becoming an architect. But after taking a skills and personality test, she pursued graphic design, drawn to its creative possibilities.
While still in university, Emilia and two friends launched a modeling agency. What started as a spontaneous idea turned into real work—recruiting models, advertising in magazines, and organizing events. That spark of entrepreneurship lit the path ahead.
Then came Milan.
With a friend already living there, Emilia packed her bags, left Mexico, and headed to Italy to study fashion styling. “I arrived with three suitcases and no place to live,” she recalled. She didn’t yet speak Italian and had no guarantor to rent an apartment. “It was a challenge,” she said, but she navigated it all with persistence and adaptability.
Three years later, she earned an internship at Condé Nast, where she worked on top magazines including Vogue. That internship turned into a photography role, which led to a freelance career in the industry. She later completed a master’s in photography and began to live what she called her dream—traveling Europe, creating, connecting.
A New Chapter: Family and the Return to Mexico
Everything shifted when Emilia’s sister gave birth to her first child. “I was there when he was born, and I didn’t want to leave,” she said. Months later, a video of her nephew asking, “Where’s Mile?” (her family nickname) hit her deeply. “I didn’t want to be the aunt no one knew.”
She made a decision: move back to Mexico.
But she didn’t return empty-handed. Emilia secured the rights to open a French baby furniture franchise called Vibel that was design-focused and modular. While building the business, she also worked as a photographer and editor for AeroMexico’s in-flight magazine.
The furniture business quickly became a passion. She interviewed children and parents to understand their dreams, preferences, and routines—turning rooms into personal worlds. “I listened to what they needed,” she said, “and designed spaces that reflected them.” A typical room ran up to $50,000 and catered to high-end clients.
From Design to Tile — A Family Business Pivot
Then her father suggested another opportunity—tile. At first she resisted. But with the baby furniture franchise ending (the French company was closing), the timing aligned.
What began as a small section in her store grew rapidly. She traveled to Italy to build manufacturer relationships and saw fast success. But with growth came management challenges. “I lost the passion,” she said. “I became buried in paperwork and admin. I missed the creative side.”
The Next Move: Sacramento and a Solo Journey
In 2014, Emilia met someone in Italy who was living in Hong Kong. The relationship eventually brought her to Sacramento, California, where she launched a new chapter with Floor Coverings International.
The start wasn’t easy. She moved alone, without friends or family nearby. “It was hard,” she said. But then COVID hit—and brought unexpected opportunity. “People were home and focused on improving their spaces. It ended up being one of my best years.”
Today, she blends her flooring expertise with design insights and a passion for helping people. “It’s not just about what someone wants—it’s about understanding what they need based on how they live.” Her customers often feel like friends. “I tell them, I don’t want you to call me to redo the floors again—I want to come back for coffee.”
A New Calling: Life Coaching and What Comes Next
Recently, Emilia became certified as a life coach. Inspired by encouragement from friends and fellow BNI members, she followed a new instinct: to give more.
“I’ve always felt like I had something more to offer,” she shared. “It’s about trusting your heart and letting life guide you.”
She doesn’t know what the next chapter holds. But for Emilia, that’s the point.
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