Today we’d like to introduce you to Robbyn Rivera.
Hi Robbyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2019 I found myself coming out of my 15-year marriage with little to call my own. I had a part time job paying $11 an hour and 3 kids to now provide for. It was time to get busy.
I was fortunate in my marriage to spend 7 glorious years as a SAHM, literally the most important work ever did, and that I will ever do. But that meant sacrificing the ability to focus on a career and my own financial security.
In the 5-ish years since the divorce, I have welcomed another kiddo to my herd and somehow have built a mini empire for myself and my beasts.
I am a short and long-term rental owner, have a wonderful full-time career in construction project management working for a high-profile company in the LED technology space, and 2 fledgling projects that I am working to launch in early 2026.
One being a community focused remote work and tutoring center that serves local families, pseudo-professionals and professionals for a fraction of the cost of similar spaces. But all with a twist, the objective won’t be to increase your productivity but to gain connection and interaction with people again. The other is a freelance construction Project Management/Owners Representation business for both residential and commercial clients to meet the demand of my current clients’ requests.
This has been a fun but oh so trying journey that I honestly couldn’t be more excited about diving headfirst into.
We relocated from San Diego (yes, the one in California – Don’t hate me for it) in the summer of 2023. My ex-husband, his new partner, my then partner and all the kids/pets/cars/crap that we had accumulated made the cross country move together, as one big functionally dysfunctional family. DFW had already become home to my immediate family. My baby Sister married a man from Arlington (bonus points he is also Garland FD) and slowly we all chased them over here.
In the early part of 2022 while pregnant with my 4th child, I packed my Mama up and moved her to Arlington. She had terminal lung cancer (STOP SMOKING OR VAPING PLEASE) so we already knew her time with us was precious. This was a huge factor in deciding to pack up and join everyone here in TX and I am so grateful for the year I got with her here. Shortly after she passed away, I took my grief and channeled it into my first big passion project.
I bought up a little old house in Broken Bow OK. The kids and I missed the mountains and ocean and a late summer visit to Beavers Bend National Park was the kick I needed to build myself a respite from the hustle of DFW.
So, there I was, a year into living in TX, I had just lost my Mama, my new relationship had ended, and I was raising 4 kids on my own, so naturally I decided to buy and completely renovate 1984 ranch-style bungalow 4 hours away.
Since then, life has been a whirlwind, my oldest turned 18 and high-tailed it back to California while the rest of my brood and I are working hard to make Mansfield our home.
I’ve met some wonderful women who I am excited to be able to call my friends and we are getting really close to “Girl Gang” status.
Starting my own business in the area will allow me to fulfil my secondary calling, serving my community. As the world around us feels like it’s getting smaller and harder to survive, I know in my soul the answer is – bring people closer. Not in a room where one person talks and everyone else just listens, but around a REAL table where we can collaborate on ways every single one of us can make this city the place we really want to live, work, and raise our families TOGETHER. Nothing is achieved without people taking action and we need that now more than ever.
Maybe it’s a “Robin” thing. We are birds after all and what do we do best but build the nest and fill it with life. I have this knack for gathering things and people, so I have to figure out how to use that skill to lift up those around me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth! Goodness no.
Being a single mother is the hardest journey I have led. It’s a thankless job where if you’re lucky you might get a little recognition for raising good humans. Fingers and toes stay crossed.
When I divorced, I relied heavily on the support I received. I never wanted to rely on anyone else though. So in under 2 years I advanced my career enough that I no longer needed any support and was able to allow my ex and I to live completely financially separate. It was the biggest breath of fresh air to know I could support and provide for my babies on my own.
When my recent relationship ended I experienced a lot of these same overwhelming feelings again. How do you juggle all the career stuff, the new home I was renovating and then make sure you’re showing up as much as possible for your kids? The answer was believing in myself. I never thought twice, I just trusted I had the grit and tenacity to get it all done. and humbly, I think i was right.
Really, were these things any harder than surviving in a relationship that leaves you empty at the end of each day…nope. So, I encourage all the women out there who worry that they can’t make their dream a reality to remember that they’ve been making miracles for their babies since day 1. You got this far, don’t stop believing in yourself! Never forget that it takes real work, that the work is hard, but it makes all the difference!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
This is the business I am launching in 2026; it will be the realization of me putting my money where my mouth is.
As the political climate in our country continues to grow more divisive and as a post covid society where we have learned to isolate and keep to ourselves; I want the opposite. A place where distraction is the goal. Productivity be damned we want connection; we want real, we want to be a part of something again.
The power to change the world lives in the people. We are the MAJORITY; we are the reason the system exists…to serve us. So, I want to bring people of many walks of life together.
As a remote employee at my day job, I struggle with loving the independence and flexibility it affords me. But I deeply miss the camaraderie of the workplace. How do you find the magical relationship that is a work husband/wife/bestie when you don’t leave your house? I am hoping this space becomes a social hub where those who want to experience some human connection can come and connect without having to buy an overpriced coffee or be surrounded by folks actively tuning out the world through their earbuds.
In the evening The Nest will become a hub for our next generation. Teachers, College Students and professionals can lease space at reduced rates to host tutoring hours, workshops, group counseling sessions or whatever they wish to bring to their community.
As The Nest grows and we are able to turn a profit a key priority of the business will be reinvesting in the community. Whether this be toy and food drives, back to school backpack and school supply support, or an adopt a family program is yet to be seen; but our goal will be to drive others to take care of each other.
Ensuring all our kids have the resources they need to learn and grow, making sure families can have meals on the table, can celebrate holidays and hand out presents for their little ones; this is what drives me professionally and personally. There are very few of us who have lived a life without struggle, so to shame or deny anyone a hand when you have one to lend is denying our humanity.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My people.
I understand my purpose, it’s to bring people together and to be a source of love and support for the people I care most about, but that’s not an exclusive club.
I was foolish thinking it would be easy to relocate states and find the kinds of friendships I left behind. It has been the hardest part of this journey so far.
The bounty of friendship extends far past having some companionship to do things with. It’s the late-night calls when you can’t imagine how you’re going to wake up and keep going tomorrow. It’s the hysterical laughter in the midst of the storm that makes you remember this too shall pass.
I am here to build. To make a strong community for myself and my children and by default (though an intentional default) for everyone I bring into my Nest. Love is absolutely the answer.
Pricing:
- 129.00 All day – monthly membership
- 450.00 All Day – private office membership
- 20.00 8a-4p – day pass
- 80.00 4p-8p – family monthly membership
- 250.00 Tutor/Educator host your own class – monthly membership
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.827thenest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/827thenest?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWl5a2FtcDd6dHZuYg==
Image Credits
Jenny E. Photography
FatRuca Designs
