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Category:
Published: March 2007
From art to architecture, Cara Nigro discusses her career, her goals, and the challenges women face in today's fast-paced society.
Success Magazine: Cara, we are currently in your art studio, which shows a side of you that most executives either don't have or don't publicize. When did you first become interested in art?
Cara Nigro: I have been interested in art since I was in nursery school. The reports sent home from my teacher would say, Cara enjoys sitting in the corner and playing with the clay and paint and that's what she loves to do. It was just in me. My grandmother on my Dad's side was an artist and my great-grandfather on my Mom's side was a clothes designer in Italy. I guess it is in my blood.
SM: You seem to have a running theme in your art. Could you elaborate on that?
CN: My art work is an expression of what I think is most important in life and that is love. I believe that God as the creator of life and love fashioned us in His image and so the need to love and be loved is intrinsic to our nature and therefore most essential to our existence. In my paintings and poems I also try to express how love is not just our greatest joy and triumph in life, but our reason for living. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize the devastating effects of a lack of love, whether it is between a parent and child or any relationship on a small or large scale. Since love encompasses every key element that is crucial to a healthy existence such as mercy, respect, morality, forgiveness, justice, kindness, and the list could go on- a lack thereof logically leads to the decay of all of these elements-and of all goodness as a matter of fact. In applying the simple principles of cause and effect, it is easy to see how a lack of love impacts families, communities and eventually the world at large and I think we need not only to be aware of that but take action and conduct our lives in such a way that will bring more love into the world while concurrently abating the negative.
SM: How do you do that?
CN: Well, first I always try to be thankful for what I have been given- to see life and all of the love and goodness in it and be grateful. When you drop the attitude of entitlement and dissatisfaction and adopt more of an attitude that life is a gift, that the good people and things in it are a gift, it automatically changes your outlook. These gifts didn't have to be given to you but for some reason they were. Your behavior towards them becomes elevated and you tend to therefore cherish them and nurture them more, be more sensitive and thoughtful towards these gifts. And yes, life it can be tragic at times but with love it makes everything bearable- and the fact of the matter is that everyone knows it's love and only love that makes life worth living. You can try to fool yourself as much as you want into thinking it's money or fame or power but it won't change the truth and I think eventually people realize this whenever they get tired of chasing the illusion and everything breaks down. The second answer to your question is that I try to really show this credo in my interactions with people-to walk the walk" not just talk the talk'-make an impact on someone even if it's something seemingly small and create a ripple effect of good. Sometimes that is easy but sometimes it takes discipline.
SM: What do you mean by discipline?
CN: Keep yourself in check-discipline yourself, exercise self-control in situations of conflict. Which, let's get real, can be difficult to say the least in this society-to be kind to others when it seems people are so quick to be unkind and often downright cruel. Whether it is somebody who doesn't return your calls at work or the obnoxious person in line at the grocery store who decides to vent his frustrations on you for no apparent reason-it seems these days people are on hyper offense and defense. All of this can add layers of frustration and the bizarre reality is that in this day and age, this phenomenon can present itself as an everyday challenge which can really catch you off guard.
SM: How do you deal with it?
CN: It is a learning process. I try to keep myself in check. I'm human though and sometimes I don't succeed and if I do fail I try to learn and better myself for future incidents. But I try to remain calm, step back from what's going on and ask myself, Am I dealing with this situation in the most loving way possible without being a pushover or at the other end of the spectrum, without being a jerk?' I always want to be a good example of my faith while also being a good business person, or whatever situation I'm in for that matter.
SM: So how did someone so involved in art become so involved in Commercial Real Estate Development and Management?
CN: I've always had a fascination with the family business. I used to love coming into my Dad's office and looking at all the paperwork and everything. I was mesmerized by the whole business setting. When I became an adult I learned to appreciate the many facets of the art of the development process and all of the challenges that come with it- it is such an unbelievably lengthy and complicated process to develop something from the ground up, you could never imagine until you actually do it.
SM: So did you get involved with the family business right out of college?
CN: No, I've had other jobs, tried out other fields. I think it's important to do that for a number of reasons. In fact just before I joined Nigro Companies permanently, I was in Chicago working for an artist hand painting clocks that were sold in a couple of popular catalogs. I was also teaching developmentally challenged students and had just started showing my artwork in galleries. It wasn't until a few years later that I decided to develop my business side and so I came back here.
SM: Where did you start?
CN: Initially, I was dealing primarily with property management and then some leasing and marketing. Now I am the Director of Leasing and Corporate Contributions and I head all of the company's marketing initiatives. I also work with the architects and engineers on all design elements of our new developments.
SM: What kind of charities did you get involved with?
CN: Nigro Companies has been involved with so many. One of my favorites which we have been involved with for fifteen years or so is the Fifteen Love Program. It was started by Arthur Ash and its goal is to raise money for inner city children to have tennis instruction. This might seem simplistic, but the underlying principle is to use t ennis as a medium to teach kids crucial lessons for life such as discipline, respect, honor, family preservation, self-reliance, educational excellence, and physical, emotional and relationship health. I actually was an instructor for the program one summer. Personally, I am very much involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York, where I am on the Board of Trustees and I can't say enough good things about not only the Foundation but the people that are involved. With regard to both the Fifteen Love program and Make-A-Wish, and a host of other wonderful programs out there for that matter- it's just amazing to witness the miraculous transformation that loving and caring for others has on the human body and soul... now that's what life is all about.
SM: Your dad has clearly been a central point in your life. What did you learn from him about business or anything else?
CN: Listen, listen to people. Be fair, have integrity and be humble. We're in a business where so much of what we do involves the community. We're building things that are sometimes in close proximity to where people's homes are, and that's a big deal. You need to listen to people's concerns and not just, no pun intended, bulldoze them. Everyone desires to have their feelings, concerns and thoughts respected, so try your best to do that and then adjust things when you can. People tend to think that if you are successful you are automatically disconnected from the real world. That isn't true of my father and I don't think it is true of me either. We are all human beings, you can't just say, Well this is our business and we're doing this whether you like it or not' without considering anyone or anything else. But I also learned that you can't be everything to everybody either, and when someone is upset, you deal with it in the most fair and dignified way possible. I also learned about giving. One of the most important things in life that you can do is to give of yourself in any way you can. My Dad is extremely hard working but he is also a giver. I don't just mean that financially, that is one important way of giving, but he has really always tried to give what he could to others, whether it was time, moral support, or anything else. I really took that to heart, and that is also an important part of my faith. But I also have to mention my mother here, I have to give her credit along with my Dad for teaching me what the real deal is in life. She has always inspired me as well as other people, and she still does today. Wherever she goes she makes friends and lifts people up. She's just one of those rare wonderful people-giving, loving, supportive, forgiving, understanding, sensitive, patient and kind.
SM: Did your father teach you any specific business skills?
CN: Well, my father always had an eye for potential, whether it was for a person or a piece of property. I have tried to have that same perspective to see not just what something is but what it can be. That's the kind of attitude you need in this business-and a lot of knowledge. Also, good things take a lot of old-fashioned hard work, time and patience.
SM: What else do you think is essential for a businessperson?
CN: I believe it is important for a businessperson to embrace the crossover between their faith and personal convictions and their business life. We spend so much of our time at work so it's really a perfect opportunity, especially as the business arena tends to be more cold, high-pressured, demanding and calculating on different levels. Don't think you have to be this one dimensional business persona-It seems to me that people often appreciate seeing that there is an actual human being behind the suit.' Ask how someone is doing but make sure you actually mean it. And please try to have a sense of humor-sometimes it's just what someone or a situation needs. We're not robots here, crack a joke, laugh, smile, just drop that crusty business faade every now and again. Lighten up!
SM: What advice would you give to a woman starting out after college?
CN: Do not compromise yourself or your principles for anything. Do what you can to succeed but never at the cost of who you are. Don't just follow what everyone else is doing, assuming that just because a lot of people are doing so-and-so it must be right, because a lot of people simply don't know what they're doing and they are lost. Also, don't give in to societal pressure. I think a lot of women these days feel pressure to be a successful businesswoman while homemakers and mothers are looked down upon and not valued because there's no paycheck. Society and the media now dictate that money is what is truly important-anything that's valuable has not only a price tag on it, but a huge one, and that's the biggest lie. If you want to be a mother and homemaker at some point in your life and you are in the right situation for that to work you shouldn't feel guilty or conflicted about it. Do not be fooled: don't let this upside down world that worships money and power as the end-all-be-all influence you. Being a wife and a team with your husband, taking care of the home, being a mother and raising children who become responsible, productive caring adults who give back to society, touch lives and make this world a better place is the most important and difficult and amazing job. You could never put a salary on that job, it's absolutely priceless and it's a total honor and a gift.
Beyond that, you need to try to not get discouraged. Surround yourself with positive people who share your values and dreams in life and run, don't walk from troublemakers-they will without a doubt poorly influence you in one way or another and eventually steer you off course if you are with them long enough. Finally, the bottom line is love. Hold on to the love in your life, seek it, celebrate it, grow it, share it, teach it, and be grateful for it. It is the ultimate gift. Nurture it, value it, love it above everything else and you will leave this world a better place and that, my friend, is hands down the greatest, truest and most rewarding success in life.
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