Building a Nest for Eco-Conscious Parents: A Chat with Gabi Fiorentino
Mothers tend to do it all—and I’m not biased just because I am one. But because I am one, I understand the multitasking and time management involved with parenting, running a household, career ambitions, and maintaining marriages, friendships, and other relationships. The expression “It takes a village…” is rooted in fact, and having community support while trying to juggle the many hats mothers wear is critical. Architect, LEED AP, urban designer, and NYC-area mom Gabriela Fiorentino understands this need: She founded Nest Earth to make sustainable parenting feel approachable and fun and to lend the support that like-minded parents might need.
With more than a decade in sustainable design, Gabi pivoted from owning her own business to creating Nest Earth, a vetted community of parents who share eco-conscious tips, connect with experts, and build healthier lifestyles without judgment. We chatted with Gabi about her journey, the role of community in her business, and how her design background shaped it all.
Tell us about your journey to founding Nest Earth. How did your architecture background mix with mom life to inspire this?
Before motherhood, sustainability was in my work—designing healthy spaces with clean air, natural light, and materials supporting well-being. Then motherhood came along, and suddenly it wasn’t theoretical anymore: It was in my kitchen, in my baby’s crib, in every bottle I held. Juggling full-time work and pumping, I shifted from building sustainable structures to creating a healthy home. Sustainability isn't just spaces; it's everything inside—including the people.
What was the "enough is enough" moment that led you to build this community?
It built up over sleepless nights Googling bottle ingredients. Mom groups and blogs felt disjointed—opinions, not facts. I craved a calm, vetted space for expert info and parent chats. Everyone wanted it, but no one built it. So I leaped, aiming to lighten life for parents and secure my kids' future.
How did your sustainable design expertise shape Nest Earth for eco-conscious parents?
It taught me that everything connects: air, light, materials, people’s lives. I applied that concept to families, helping them to design aligned, pressure-free lives. Nest Earth is practical, not performative—vetted experts, resources, brands rooted in science. The same integrity I brought to architecture guides it all.
Why is community key for sustainable parenting? And how do you keep Nest Earth a safe "messy middle" space?
Community shares the load; collective effort makes it doable. I felt isolated in questioning choices alone—one "I'm with you" changes everything. Nest Earth lets you show up messy: real talks, small steps, laughs with support and guidance. It's about doing it together, not perfectly.
How did you launch Nest Earth amid the chaos of motherhood?
Nest Earth was born right in the middle of that messy, beautiful season: during nap times, part-time work, juggling everything—no grand plan, just passion, and funny chaos with toddlers crashing Zooms for snacks or potty announcements. I muted, whispered, kept going. Parents like me were craving support and connection, and no matter how chaotic things got, that kept me moving forward.
—Murrye Bernard