Building on her background in hospitality marketing and brand strategy, Nepheli has decided to build her career on her own terms - blending everything she enjoys -fashion, hospitality and art- with her professional expertise in marketing.

We caught up with Nepheli on how easy it is to balance a freelance career and her personal life, the choices that brought her the biggest rewards, and her latest venture, ΒΟΥΛΚΑΝΙΖΑΤΕΡ.

How would you define success?

From a young age, I have always linked success with authenticity. For me, true success is rooted in freedom—freedom to choose your partners, your projects, and how you structure your daily life. As I move into my 30s, this belief has only deepened. Success, in my view, isn’t measured by titles, wealth, or external validation. Instead, it lies in the balance and inner peace that comes from living a life defined on your own terms.

What’s one thing you would do if success was guaranteed?

I wouldn't change much because I think that when you are a restless character, it's hard to change that. What I would appreciate, however, is having more time to deeply explore the things that matter most to me. In the chaos of daily life, we rarely have the opportunity to fully analyze and process our actions and experiences. (As a matter of fact I would just like to travel and eat cinnamon rolls).

What keeps you going on days when everything feels overwhelming?

A two-hour cry always seems to solve everything. I recently made a mood board on my phone, with a picture of little me at the center, surrounded by all the things I want to accomplish in the coming months. Looking at that younger version of myself—someone who has felt helpless countless times—and seeing how far I’ve come and everything I’ve achieved fills me with energy and strength to keep believing in myself. Beyond that, there is no greater motivation than the people around us. My parents, my grandmother, my friends, and my partner are my greatest sources of strength.

If you could relive one day of your life, which day would it be and why?

This is a difficult question because, over time, I’ve learned to appreciate each day for everything it has to offer. All emotions are now acceptable to me. If I had to choose, it would definitely be a day spent traveling with my mother—there’s no greater feeling of carefree joy than that combination for me.

What’s the best piece of advice someone’s given you?

The best advice I’ve ever received comes from my mother. She always told me that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. When I wanted to quit my first job as a salesperson, she simply said, “Spread your wings and fly.” It’s a phrase that has stayed with me ever since.

“The idea of perfect balance might exist in a romantic comedy, but it certainly doesn’t in today’s fast-paced world.”
— Nepheli-Ophelia Sachverdyan

Tell me the biggest risk you’ve taken, that actually paid off.

I feel like my entire adult life has been one big risk. Every decision I’ve made so far has ultimately led me to a better path. That might sound simple, but along the way, there’s been plenty of pain, insecurity, hopelessness, and even panic attacks. Perhaps the best decision I’ve made was choosing not to work in a traditional office and instead pursuing life as a freelancer. This choice has opened the door to countless experiences I’ve always dreamed of.

What does music mean to you?

Music, for me, is pure psychotherapy—a profound form of expression that transforms the mundane into something cinematic. It has the power to shift perspectives, making life’s challenges feel a little more manageable. Starting the day with a BadBadNotGood record, for instance, feels worlds apart from waking up to a blaring alarm clock. Music weaves itself into the fabric of our memories; hearing a song tied to a specific moment can transport you back in time, allowing you to relive emotions with incredible intensity. Music isn’t just entertainment—it’s an essential soundtrack to our lives, shaping how we experience and remember the world.

How do you stay connected to your passions while balancing work and life responsibilities?

It’s a whole process, to be honest I can’t always do everything because that’s exhausting. I practice introspection to identify what I need most at any given stage of my life and focus my energy there. Often, work takes priority, and I’ve learned to let go of the panic that comes with not having enough time to do it all. The idea of perfect balance might exist in a romantic comedy, but it certainly doesn’t in today’s fast-paced world.

What are you trying to let go off?

Aspects and behaviors of my character that no longer align with the person I am today.

If you were a dish from the menu of Voulkanizater, which one would you be?

My partners will laugh when they see this because I’m always talking about this dish, but it would definitely have to be pasta with pistachio pesto.

shot by Vas Thalis