Meet Alexandra Nina Figueroa-Frau of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Nina Figueroa-Frau.

Alexandra Nina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in South Florida to two amazing and hardworking parents who moved to the United States from Ponce, Puerto Rico in the late 90s. I have always been drawn to creativity, storytelling, and connecting with people. Whether it was making videos, photography, crafting handmade jewelry, or simply finding ways to bring ideas to life, I’ve always loved creating things that allow me express myself and share my ideas in a meaningful way.

I attended Florida State University, where I earned my degree in Communications and Digital Media Studies with a minor in Film Studies. During college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Valencia, Spain and Florence, Italy, both experiences that broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for storytelling and understanding the human experience.

Along the way, I started my own small business, Kanani Creations Co., creating and selling handmade seashell jewelry inspired by my need to do something with my overwhelmingly huge shell collection I started as a child. Building that business taught me so much about entrepreneurship, branding, social media, customer relationships, and the reality of growing something from the ground up. It also gave me my first real experience creating content with purpose and learning how to connect with an audience online.

After graduating, I continued pursuing opportunities in communications, marketing, and content creation. Today, I work in social media management and content creation, helping businesses tell their stories through digital platforms while continuing to grow as a creator myself. Much of my work focuses on creating engaging yet educational content for the commercial and residential real estate space in South Florida.

Recently, I made the exciting move from South Florida to Atlanta, which has been both challenging and rewarding. It’s been a season of growth, new opportunities, and stepping way outside my comfort zone! I’m currently focused on expanding my career in communications and marketing while continuing to build meaningful connections through content, creativity, and storytelling.

Looking back, my journey hasn’t been a straight line, but every experience has reinforced the same lesson: people connect most deeply through authentic stories. At the end of the day we are all just human beings trying to figure out what it means to be alive.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and in many ways I’m still figuring things out.

One of the biggest challenges for me has been navigating the transition into the “real world” after college. I think there can be a lot of pressure to have everything figured out right away: your career path, your purpose, where you’re supposed to be headed…The reality for me has been much different. I’m still learning who I am and what I want to do professionally, and that’s been both exciting and terribly overwhelming at times.

What I’ve always known, though, is that I value creativity, connection, and continuous learning. I feel fortunate to live in a time where so much knowledge is accessible via the internet and social media. If I want to learn a new skill I have the ability to simply search for and watch videos of experts online sharing their knowledge and experience. The value of that accessibility is never lost on me. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring different interests, developing new skills, and staying open to opportunities that I may not have considered before.

Another challenge has been finding the right professional fit. Like many people early in their careers, I’ve experienced uncertainty, rejection, and moments of questioning whether I was on the right path. More recently, moving from Florida to Georgia meant starting over in many ways! From building a new network, establishing myself in a new city, and continuing the search for opportunities that align with both my personal beliefs and professional goals.

Over time, I’ve learned that growth rarely happens in a straight line. Instead of focusing on where I think I should be, I’ve tried to be more patient with myself and celebrate the small milestones along the way. Every new connection, project, interview, and experience has taught me something valuable. While I don’t have all the answers yet, I’ve learned to trust the process and recognize that building a meaningful career takes time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work in social media management, content creation, and digital storytelling. My work helps brands and businesses connect with their audiences through authentic and engaging short-form content. My background combines communications, visual storytelling, video production, and social media strategy, allowing me to approach projects from both a creative and strategic perspective.

While I’m proud of the work I’ve done professionally, one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is building my small business, Kanani Creations Co.

What started as a creative hobby and a way to express my love for the ocean gradually grew into a thriving Etsy business with over 1,000 followers, a 5-star rating, and customers from around the world. I designed and handcrafted jewelry pieces myself while also managing every aspect of the business: branding, photography, social media marketing, customer service, packaging, and order fulfillment!

Building Kanani taught me lessons that no classroom ever could. It showed me what it means to create something from nothing, connect with customers on a personal level, and stay committed even when growth happens slowly. Every sale represented someone choosing to support something I had created with my own hands, and that was incredibly meaningful.

Although I put Kanani on pause after relocating to Atlanta so I could focus on establishing myself in a new city and growing professionally, it remains one of the experiences I’m most grateful for. There is something incredibly rewarding about seeing photos of previous customers wearing pieces I spent hours designing and creating. Knowing that something I made became part of someone’s life, memory, or special occasion is a feeling that’s hard to describe.

I think what sets me apart is that I approach my work through both a creative and entrepreneurial lens. I’ve experienced firsthand what it takes to build a brand, earn trust, cultivate a community, and tell stories that resonate with people. Whether I’m creating content for a business, managing social media, or working on a personal project, my goal is always the same: to create genuine connections and leave people feeling inspired, understood, or seen.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that people are far more alike than they are different.

Through social media, content creation, and building connections with people from different backgrounds, I’ve had the opportunity to hear countless stories and glimpse into people’s lives. While everyone’s journey looks different on the surface, I’ve come to realize that most of us are navigating many of the same emotions….uncertainty, self-doubt, hope, ambition, fear, and the desire to belong to something greater than ourselves.

It’s easy to assume that everyone else has everything figured out, especially in a world where we often share the highlights of our lives online. But the more people I’ve met and the more stories I’ve heard, the more I’ve realized that behind every professional title, accomplishment, or carefully curated social media profile is a human being facing challenges, insecurities, and questions of their own.

That realization has made me more compassionate, both toward others and toward myself. It has also reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling. Since the beginning of human history, stories have helped us understand one another, share experiences, and feel less alone. I believe that remains true today.

Whether it’s through social media, photography, video, writing, or simple conversations, people have an innate desire to share their experiences and connect with others. At its core, that’s what draws me to communications and content creation. I love the idea that a story, no matter how ordinary it may seem, can make someone else feel seen, understood, or inspired.

If there’s one lesson I’ve taken with me, it’s that connection matters more than perfection. The moments when we’re willing to be honest about who we are and what we’re going through are often the moments that resonate most deeply with others.

Pricing:

• Available for freelance content creation, social media management, UGC projects, and brand collaborations. Pricing varies based on project scope. Please reach out directly for rates and availability.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://figueroafraualexandraportfolio.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandra_nina?igsh=MXN2YTNud2d5MmwxOA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nanifrau?_r=1&_t=ZT-972zOqwYnyo