We recently connected with Alicia Gaiero and have shared our conversation below.

Alicia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I am 24 years old and I established my oyster farm at 21. At the age of 14 I was immensely humbled through a life changing experience of being struck at a high rate of speed by a motorcycle on my bike while crossing the road. Since then, I have chosen to live without fear. I have sought to live without concern of traditional expectations and societal norms. Building my own business has come as a result of this life changing experience.

The story behind my mission is not one about just producing food, but about embracing opportunities and life. I created opportunities to experience life and for me that looks like bringing food to your table. Through growing oysters I am afforded a life of working on the water. I am also producing a product that is restorative to its environment and gives back. At Nauti Sisters Sea Farm the goal is to create a pristine product that does not harm and at this time we are able to do just that. We are also able to educate people on their food, where it comes from, who produces it and enhance the value of not only our brand but of the Maine Seafood brand. We want people to celebrate when they eat our oysters, to enjoy life a little more and be encouraged to take big risks but also do no harm.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I entered the aquaculture industry after an announcement of a proposed land based salmon farm coming to my hometown of Belfast, Maine. I become involved in the public process, and I began an undergraduate research project to understand land based and net pen salmon aquaculture. This has set me on a path that I’ve never turned back on. Since that time I’ve evolved from working as an intern for two businesses related to the ocean economy and the aquaculture sector.

In 2020 I established Nauti Sisters Sea Farm and in 2021 I officially established East Coast Aquaculture Consulting, Nauti Sisters Sea Farm cultivates oysters and scallops in Casco Bay located in Yarmouth, Maine. East Coast Aquaculture Consulting provides services to existing and prospective aquaculture farmers located in the state of Maine. We assist in all aspects of lease application completion required for regulatory agencies and all aspects of planning and budgeting for an aquaculture farm.

Nauti Sisters Sea Farm is unique for not only producing a premium oyster but because it is a small women owned business that has authentically shared its story that creates a strong bond and connection with customers. Historically the working waterfront has not traditionally seen businesses or boats owned and operated by a young woman and Alicia has continued to break down these social barriers and use the farm as a place to offer opportunities for other women to gain experience on the water.

I want people to know that there is an incredible amount of hard work, dedication and FAILURE that goes into owning a business and working on the water. The thing that Nauti Sisters finds strength in, is getting up everyday to accept the immense challenges related to owning a business and working on the water.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I think a marketing story that has been a great success came from sharing extremely raw. authentic content that people identify and relate to. I personally did not see this as a risk but many others questioned it and had their own concerns (family and friends).

In my time as a business owner I’ve continued to share on social media, particularly Instagram like a blogger. Mot posts illustrate the day to day work, along with highlights but I started to share more honestly with the lows. This has been natural for me. In what I thought might be a dud of a post, I saw my most interaction, personal messages and online sales. I tell everyone, “cry online.” I don’t share my concerns or failures to gain these interactions, but I have found that they do help. I share my failures, my sadness and my frustrations. Some days that may be that I hit bottom and damaged the prop and learned to change it for the first time. Another lighter hearted post has been when my merchandise shelve broke and I posted online “buy merch because this shelf broke and its annoying. This brought in more website interactions than I had in a year. It has been really interesting to see this response because these posts aren’t really difficult. I don’t think intensely about the aesthetics or the timing. I share honestly and thoughtfully and have found it to be extremely successful.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

The nature of oyster farming is that it is a slow process. It can take 2-3 years to bring a product from a small seed or spat as they are called to being a market size product to market. This means in my first years I’ve been nearly entirely pre-revenue so I’ve pivoted to add two revenue streams to my business. Beyond the sale of oysters I created a merchandise line that has been fairly successful. In person events have been been great. I’ve been able to capture a passive revenue stream, while also increasing brand recognition and catering to a different clientele through the sale of merchandise.

Additional I’ve completed the requirements to get my US Coast Guards Master Captains license so I may now offer commercial tours. These aquaculture farm tours have seen increasing demand and can provide large amounts of income in a relatively short amount of time. This is an offering we anticipate launching in the summer of 2023.

Contact Info:

• Website: nautisistersseafarm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nautisistersseafarm/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nautisistersseafarm/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/77576180/admin/

Image Credits
Credits of photos to photographer Steve De Neef Except the one portrait photo in front of the lobster traps (not on a boat or dock) Credits to Emily Zolo.