Meet Alexandra Vitale | Innovation Specialist & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Vitale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandra, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factors behind the success of my brand are authenticity and quality. I believe in the products I create wholeheartedly, and that passion is translated into every piece. To me, authenticity means staying true to my values and core mission of upcycling oyster shells, reducing waste, and creating sustainable products that will bring beauty back into the world.

Quality is another anchor to my success. I am extremely detail-oriented, ensuring that each product not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our customers. If I’m not happy with the way something turns out, I’ll redo it or recycle that piece and start over completely. This commitment to quality is reflected in the durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of my products.

By staying true to my beliefs, I not only create products I’m proud of but also establish a connection with customers who share similar values. The authenticity and quality of my creations are the foundation of Nauti’s core values.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets Nauti by Nature Design apart from other businesses is my brand’s unique focus on upcycling oyster shells to create sustainable and visually stunning products. I believe that sustainability can be both impactful and beautiful, and that philosophy is at the heart of everything I do. I collect oyster shells from local restaurants that would otherwise be discarded as waste, clean them thoroughly (yes, it’s a stinky mess!), and bleach them the sun before repurposing them into works of art. In transforming these shells into art, I hope to promote awareness of sustainability and encourage others to appreciate eco-friendly, locally-made art.

As with most small businesses, I can’t say my journey has been the smoothest, but I’ve definitely been enjoying the ride. It’s been filled with continuous learning, trials, and overcoming lots and lots of challenges. I have no background in business or marketing, so that was my biggest learning curve. I’ve learned so much from my fellow maker friends and our incredibly supportive community. I embraced every obstacle I’ve encountered as an opportunity for growth, and have learned valuable lessons from both successes and failures.

One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability and flexibility. Between marketing and advertising, the business world is constantly changing, and being able to pivot when necessary has been crucial. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned as an artist and business owner is the importance of setting boundaries. My husband can attest to that! I am a major people pleaser and have a habit of being a major pushover and overdoing things, so I’ve really been working on how and when to say “no” and how to manage my time better.

I want the world to know that every product I create tells a story of eco-conscious living without compromising style. My business doesn’t just offer products, but also a lifestyle choice that aligns with values of sustainability and uniqueness. Shell yeah!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What an easy city to entertain! In the mornings, we’d definitely grab coffee from the Conscious Brew truck or the Alchemist in Wilton Manors. Might even grab a slicer there! Breakfast spots would include Top Hat Deli, Modern Rose, and Foxy Browns. We’d probably be too busy exploring to eat lunch, so dinners would include Papas Raw Bar, Quvo for Taco Tuesday, Takato, Beach House, and Dune for a swankier girl’s night. I’m not really a big drinker, but the cocktails at Rhythm & Vine and The Wilder are pretty tasty! But can we forget dessert? I feel like it’s a right of passage to go to Jaxson’s at least once in your life, so there’s that. But I’d also take her to my new favorite neighborhood hub, Whit’s, for frozen custard.

For the outdoors, I’d definitely take her to see the Hillsboro Inlet and walk the Pompano Pier, and maybe stop at Lucky Fish for lunch. Though it’s not what it used to be, I’d still take her to Las Olas to walk the strip and do some shopping. We’d also hit my favorite local boutiques–Haute & Honey and The Wander Shop. Also, Birch State Park is a must! I’d bring us bikes so we could run the loop. The Bonnet House is a favorite, I’d also take her to my favorite beach in Boynton, and to the Jupiter Inlet for an afternoon at the beach and dinner at Guanabanas, Lucky Shuck, or my absolute favorite, Leftovers (can you tell I’m a huge foodie?).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that I am incredibly grateful for who have helped me along the way, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family. My parents, husband, sisters, nieces, mother-in-law…they go above and beyond to help me in any way they can, push me to be my best self, support my dreams, and help me stay motivated. They are seriously the best!

Website: www.nautibynaturedesign.com

Instagram: @nautibynaturedesign