Meet Nayla Atallah Cross: Founder and Creative Director of NAYLA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nayla Atallah Cross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nayla, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think that risk is fundamental to growth! Nothing worthwhile comes without a little risk, right? I launched my brand of luxury sustainable footwear during a pandemic and it was one of the riskiest things I have ever done. However, I think it’s critical to forge ahead because it is crucial to continue creating, thinking, dreaming, planning, learning, growing and being inspired. I am so thankful that I took the risk and launched and am so proud of everything we have accomplished so far. I also think that you can take risks as long as you learn from your mistakes. I started journaling all the mistakes that were made along the way and what I learned from them. This was not easy for me to do and it was hard to look at because mistakes mean setbacks either in time or money or both. But now I try to look at them in a more positive light because there is no better way to learn than from your own mistakes. 

What should our readers know about your business?
NAYLA is a luxury footwear brand that is bridging the gap between design and sustainability. Our goal at NAYLA is to make chic, comfortable, and versatile shoes that are also sustainable. As a sustainable brand, we believe in both social and environmental responsibility and giving back to our communities. That means that we use eco-innovative materials such as pineapple leather (made from pineapple leaves), wild rubber (tapped from the Amazonian rubber tree) and fish scales (a zero waste by product). We also ensure that the people who are working with us make fair and livable wages and are treated ethically. For our charitable efforts, we are donating 10% of all sales to No Kid Hungry. We launched earlier this year, in the midst of a pandemic. During this time, we believe that customers are more discerning of what brands they are buying from, making sure they buy from brands that they can feel good about. We believe we are one of those brands. The crisis already has us questioning the ways in which we live, work, and consume. We are empowered by the belief that we can be a part of a wave of companies who are offering solutions, rather than contributing to problems.

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.
Miami has some amazing places to visit! I love Flour and Weirdough on Key Biscayne. They have the best coffee and baked goods. You have to try their brisket croissant! One of the most beautiful places in all of Miami is the Surf Club at the Four Seasons. It’s a great place for a special night out. I also love Mandolin which has delicious Greek and Turkish cuisine and great outdoor seating. If you like sushi, the Den at Azabu is incredible. Miami also has some of the most beautiful beaches so don’t forget to check those out!   

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a lot of people to thank for getting me to where I am today. They are my parents, my brothers, and especially my husband Mike. My parents immigrated from Lebanon to the U.S. in 1975 and had to create a new life for themselves in New York. Learning from their struggles and what they went through to give us a better life has given me so much drive to do something impactful and also to set an example for my daughter, Juliette. My brothers helped shape how I view the world and always challenged me to think outside the box. Without my mom’s support I would not be where I am today. She taught me to be fearless in my endeavors and to go after what I believe in and want to pursue. She always believed that having a career and something I loved to do was important. My dad taught me to stand up for what I believe in, no matter what and to always work hard and be principled. I was not allowed to use the words “I can’t” at home. My husband was the one who encouraged me to take the leap and launch my brand. He pushed me to take the risk and I could not be more thankful for what we have accomplished so far. He taught me to be more accepting of my mistakes and to push past them and keep moving forward as mistakes are necessary for growth. Surrounding yourself with people who support your dreams will help you navigate through the risk (and the fear that comes along with it) with confidence.

Website: www.shopnayla.com
Instagram: instagram.com/_shopnayla
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nayla-atallah

Image Credits
Natalia Pineros