Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ana Garcia. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ana , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I’m thankful to have grown up in a family where the women around me were always creating. I picked up jewelry from my mother & grandmother who would do it as a hobby. I grew up in the Dominican Republic, an amazing and lively country that I draw inspiration from constantly. Staying close to your roots is so important & I’m lucky to come from a place with so much culture. After studying Fashion Design & Merchandising and moving to Maui, my passion for making jewelry grew as I was collecting shells and finding inspiration around me. I always knew I would start some sort of business so I started with my jewelry designs & intercepting glass-blown beads along with island treasures. Jewelry had always been special to me but designing clothes is my north star & I’m excited to finally expand into that in 2025

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.

When first studying at my university, I was a Public Relations major. It was the first retail job I had that opened my eyes to the world of fashion. After 8 months at this job, the owner asked me to be a buyer for the ladies department which meant traveling to Dallas and Atlanta to pick out clothes for the shop. I ended up changing my major to Fashion Design & Merchandising with a minor in Public Relations. I always say this was one of the best decisions of my life as I was in awe while studying fashion in school.

I moved to Maui post-grad, where my passion for jewelry-making truly blossomed. The island’s natural beauty – from its shells to its serene waters – was the perfect addition to my creative process. This led to the birth of Anitoli, a brand that uniquely blends my Caribbean roots with the spirit of Maui.

I moved to Maui, where my passion for jewelry-making blossomed. The island’s natural beauty – from its shells to its serene waters – became integral to my creative process. This led to the birth of Anitoli, a brand that uniquely blends my Caribbean roots with the spirit of Maui.

Anitoli offers handcrafted jewelry pieces that are more than just accessories – they’re personal talismans infused with intention and cleansed in Maui’s waters. We specialize in designs that incorporate glass-blown beads and island treasures, creating pieces that connect wearers to the beauty of island life.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Most of my social media community has come from word of mouth. I have many supportive friends who love and wear my jewelry, which leads to people asking about it while they are out and about. I also love to connect with my community by showing behind-the-scenes content about my journey with the brand. My advice with social media would be to stay authentic and to try to not constantly push people to buy buy buy. So many brands go wrong when doing this instead of building a brand that connects with the audience they want to have a community with.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A crucial lesson I’ve unlearned is the pressure to follow a rigid, industry-standard production schedule. Instead, I’ve embraced a project-focused approach, dedicating each quarter to specific initiatives. This allows me to pour my creativity and attention into each piece, ensuring quality over quantity. I’ve realized that taking my own pace and resisting the urge to overproduce not only preserves the integrity of my designs but also aligns with Anitoli’s commitment to mindful, meaningful creation. This shift has been liberating, allowing me to stay true to my vision and deliver pieces that truly resonate with my customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anitolithelabel.com
• Instagram: @anitoli_thelabel

Image Credits

Kela Rose

film photographer