Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiva Tamara.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am Shiva Tamara
Artist. Realtor. Hustler. I turn blank walls and blank contracts into bold statements — all on my terms.
Title:
Creating Beauty on My Terms
A Self-Made L.A. Story of Art, Real Estate, and the Power of Starting Over
“I didn’t have a safety net—I had a paintbrush, a sidewalk, and the wild belief that beauty could build something bigger.”
I’ve always known that art isn’t just for galleries—it’s for the streets, the storefronts, the lives we live inside. It can shift moods, lift neighborhoods, and make the everyday unforgettable.
Early in my career, I worked for design firms that landed top clients—USC, Universal Music, big local names. I was the one behind the work, but the credit never followed. My designs lived on in campaigns and brand identities seen by thousands, yet my name stayed hidden in the shadows of someone else’s byline. That reality didn’t break me—it lit a fire.
With no roadmap and no guarantees, I grabbed a table and hit the Venice Beach boardwalk. Just me, my art, and a fierce belief in my vision. That moment of radical ownership changed everything. My paintings became patterns, the patterns turned into apparel, and slowly but surely, I built a brand out of fearless expression.
At the same time, I started painting murals—vibrant pieces across Los Angeles, from Venice Beach to Hollywood. My first mural came during the pandemic’s darkest moment. A local store stayed open while everything else shut down. Its greyed-out Jules Muck mural felt like a symbol of the time, so I asked if I could bring it back to life. Not to erase, but to revive. That piece was for them, but it also changed me. It showed me the power of public art to heal, uplift, and transform.
That passion for space and impact naturally pulled me toward real estate. I saw how the right environment—home or commercial—could inspire and anchor lives. I got licensed and dove into residential sales—while still painting, designing, and building the life I knew I was meant to lead.
Today, I work alongside Brad Jones and Julio Hechavarria at Nobility and Monarchs. We’re a powerhouse trio offering clients more than real estate—we deliver luxury, design, commercial insight, and financial services, all under one roof, thanks to Brad’s company, Beverly Hills Financial Group. Fun fact: About ten years ago, I helped Brad and Julio design for their businesses. Julio rents some of L.A.’s most exciting event spaces through Imperial Art Studios. A decade later, we’ve reunited as equals, each bringing a different superpower to the table at Nobility and Monarchs.
And here’s what means the most: I did it all on my own. I’m an only child, with my family in Germany—no connections, no financial cushion, just grit, guts, and belief. I’ve earned every inch of this path with relentless drive.
Now, I’m diving deep into commercial real estate development and market strategy. My vision isn’t just to sell buildings—it’s to shape environments that elevate everyday life. I’m interested in the spaces we spend the most time in, and how thoughtful design, smart investments, and creative thinking can build stronger communities and better futures.
Whether I’m painting a wall or planning a large-scale real estate project, I’m always guided by the same mission: to create beauty on my terms. Because when you trust your eye, follow your gut, and lead with heart, doors open that no one else even sees.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you don’t need a blueprint. You just need courage, creativity, and the willingness to start—even if all you have is a sidewalk and a dream.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth, but smooth roads don’t build character. Mine has been a winding one, full of potholes, pivots, and plot twists. Just when it felt like things were finally clicking into place, life threw another curveball. And oddly enough, those interruptions became turning points—the moments where the real growth happened.
Right when I was gaining traction, the world turned upside down. I was selling art, prints, and apparel on the Venice Beach boardwalk—building momentum, connecting with people daily, and selling out almost every weekend. Business was booming. I was figuring out how to scale—and for a one-woman operation hand-making every piece, that felt like a beautiful problem to have. I thought it was the beginning of my next big chapter.
Then, almost overnight, everything stopped. The pandemic hit. The boardwalk emptied. No foot traffic. No sales. No income. Just silence. It could’ve been the end—but instead, it became a beginning.
In that stillness, something unexpected opened up. I noticed a faded mural on a nearby storefront and asked if I could bring it back to life—not to erase what had been, but to revive it. That one act sparked something bigger. I started painting murals across the city. I saw how art could bring hope, even in the hardest moments. That experience shifted something in me. I began to see spaces not just as backdrops, but as vessels for transformation. And that’s what led me into real estate.
Because I didn’t just want to paint walls—I wanted to help shape what those walls could hold.
But of course, the struggles didn’t stop there. I had no financial cushion, no connections, no safety net. I was building a brand, a business, and a new career from scratch. Getting licensed, finding clients, earning trust—it was a steep climb. And even now, the challenges are real. I care deeply about helping people find homes that reflect their dreams. When that feels just out of reach, I take it personally. But I channel that emotion into creative problem-solving. I don’t stop until I find a way forward.
Struggle has been my greatest teacher. It forced me to reinvent, to trust my vision, and to believe in the value of starting over—again and again, if that’s what it took. The truth is, the road never really gets smooth. The struggles just change shape. But they’ve become part of the rhythm. Each one has sharpened my instincts, strengthened my spirit, and deepened my purpose.
Success isn’t about having a perfect path—it’s about learning how to move through the mess with courage and grace. You keep building—not because the road is smooth, but because you’ve learned how to lay every brick yourself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Shiva Luxury is more than a real estate brand—it’s a full-service lifestyle experience that seamlessly integrates luxury residential and commercial real estate, including innovative design across digital platforms, interior environments (from furnishings to spatial flow), exterior expressions (such as murals and brand-defining visuals), art, fashion, and strategic business consulting—all created solely by visionary founder Shiva Tamara.
This one-of-a-kind brand delivers a fully integrated, highly personalized experience for clients and businesses alike, setting itself apart through one guiding principle: deeply understanding each client’s vision, needs, and desires.
That level of insight allows Shiva Luxury to deliver precisely what’s needed—whether it’s securing the perfect home or commercial property, developing stunning interior and exterior designs, or building a compelling brand identity—without wasting time or presenting options that don’t align.
In recent transactions, clients made confident decisions after seeing only one property, because the match was already exact. Shiva Luxury doesn’t just present choices; it delivers “the one.” That clarity and alignment elevate lives and businesses while protecting clients’ most valuable asset: their time.
What truly distinguishes Shiva Luxury is this ability to listen deeply. It’s not just about showing properties or offering design—it’s about interpreting people’s goals and dreams, then tailoring every detail around them. The last three clients each found their ideal homes after viewing just one property—no time wasted, no doubt. That’s what true luxury looks like: bespoke, intentional, and results-driven.
As part of Nobility and Monarchs Real Estate, Shiva Luxury operates alongside one of the industry’s best mortgage broker professionals, Brad Jones, offering seamless support from financial strategy to closing. This synergy ensures a smooth and sophisticated client experience from start to finish.
What defines Shiva Luxury isn’t just aesthetics or pricing—it’s luxury made effortless and deeply personal. Every project is approached with creativity, precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Here, luxury is defined not by cost, but by the quality of life it creates: time well spent, trust well earned, and solutions that feel tailor-made.
Whether you’re buying a dream home, developing a commercial property, or seeking artful, strategic design and branding, Shiva Luxury is here to bring your vision to life with integrity, artistry, and innovation.
Readers should know: Shiva Luxury is a brand built on trust, originality, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect fit for every client, every project, every time.
If you want a partner who listens, delivers, and values your time as much as you do, Shiva Luxury is ready to make your next chapter extraordinary.
How do you define success?
To me, success isn’t measured by numbers, titles, or appearances—it’s about true alignment. It’s when someone feels deeply seen, understood, and empowered because of something I helped bring into their life. Whether that’s a home they never imagined owning, a brand that perfectly captures their essence, a design that reflects their spirit, or a commercial space that transforms their business, success lives in those moments of genuine transformation.
Success means doing whatever it takes to make meaningful change happen. I’ve been moved to tears knowing I’ve changed someone’s life—and that’s when I feel most successful.
It’s also about opening people’s eyes to their untapped potential, beyond fears, doubts, or limiting beliefs. Helping clients dream bigger, reach higher, and achieve more than they thought possible is at the heart of what I do. I fight for their dreams as if they were my own.
Many think success follows achievement, but I believe success fuels achievement. It’s the courage, compassion, and relentless purpose that drive me to serve others with integrity and creativity. True success isn’t about material things or appearances—that can be bought, leased, or borrowed. It’s about impact, trust, and transforming lives. And when you give from that place, life rewards you in ways no transaction ever could.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shivaluxury.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivatamara/
Image Credits
Melina Bovo
