Introducing The Woman Behind The Dress: Nayseline

Before we begin Nayseline’s interview, I wanted to take a moment to personally introduce her.

Nayseline is the founder of Curaçao Flying Dress, based on our beautiful sister island of Curaçao, part of the ABC Islands alongside Aruba and Bonaire.

She started her flying dress business in 2022, not long after I launched Flying Dress Aruba in 2021, and even though we have never officially met, I have watched her journey from across the water with so much admiration.

There is something really special about seeing another woman in this niche build something from the ground up, especially on an island so close to home. I remember first seeing Curaçao Flying Dress when it was still a small island business finding its feet, and over the years, I have watched Nayseline grow, improve, evolve, and truly come into her own.

That kind of growth does not happen by accident. It takes courage, consistency, creativity, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes work that most people never see.

So it feels really fitting that Nayseline is the very first founder I get to feature in this Female Founder Friday series. There is almost a sisterly feeling to it, one woman cheering on another, both inspired by the same beautiful flying dress concept, both bringing it to life in our own island way.

Nayseline, I am genuinely proud to celebrate you, your business, and everything you have built with Curaçao Flying Dress. I wish you many more years of success, growth, confidence, beautiful clients, and dresses flying in that Curaçao breeze.

What were you doing before you started your flying dress company?

Before starting Curacao Flying Dress, I was working a full-time job while dreaming of building a business of my own. I remember creating a digital vision board filled with the life I wanted to create—one centered around entrepreneurship, creativity, and freedom. At the same time, I was planning a well-deserved vacation to Europe, not realizing that trip would eventually inspire a completely new chapter in my life. Looking back, that vision board wasn't just a collection of dreams; it became the blueprint for the business I have today.

What first inspired you to start a flying dress photoshoot business?

Santorini has always been my dream destination and is still at the top of my travel bucket list. I've spent years saving photos, travel guides, and inspiration from the island, completely captivated by its beauty. One day, while browsing online, I discovered the iconic Flying Dress Santorini photoshoots. I instantly fell in love with the concept. With a background in marketing, I've always been a creative person who enjoys turning ideas into reality. I couldn't stop thinking about how incredible it would be to bring that same magical experience to Curaçao. At the time, I shared the idea with a colleague who was also a talented photographer. I asked if he'd be interested in starting this journey with me, and thankfully, he said yes. We purchased our very first fabric, and with the help of my mother, we sewed our first flying dress. I became our very first model during the test photoshoot, and that moment confirmed we were onto something special. What started as inspiration from a dream destination quickly became a dream of my own. Today, every photoshoot reminds me that sometimes the biggest adventures begin with a simple idea and the courage to take the first step.

What do you want women to feel when they book a session with you?

I want every woman who books a session with us to feel safe, beautiful, confident, and completely herself. Many of our clients tell us they're nervous before stepping in front of the camera, but it's amazing to watch that nervousness transform into confidence within minutes. Our goal is about so much more than taking beautiful photographs. We want every client to leave feeling empowered, celebrated, and on top of the world. We create a relaxed and fun atmosphere where they can laugh, enjoy the experience, and simply be present in the moment. Most importantly, we want them to leave Curaçao with more than stunning images, we want them to take home unforgettable memories and a reminder of just how beautiful and confident they truly are.

What has been one of your proudest moments in business so far?

My proudest moment in business is still the day we completed our very first flying dress photoshoot. It may sound simple, but that day represented the moment a dream became reality. Our entire team was excited, and there was so much anticipation leading up to the shoot. When we saw the final images, we were honestly blown away. In that moment, I knew we had created something truly special, an experience that could make women visiting Curaçao feel beautiful, confident, and unforgettable. Looking back, it wasn't just our first photoshoot; it was the beginning of a journey. Every client we've photographed since then has been built on the excitement, passion, and belief we felt that very first day. It's a memory I'll always treasure because it reminded me that every successful business starts with taking one brave first step.

What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced while building your business?

One of the biggest challenges has been continuing to believe in the vision, even when others could not yet see or understand it. When you are building something new, especially in a niche industry, not everyone will immediately recognize its potential. There have been moments when I had to remind myself why I started and trust that the idea was worth pursuing, even without outside validation. That experience taught me that entrepreneurship requires patience, resilience, and a strong belief in yourself. Sometimes, you have to hold onto the vision long before anyone else can see what it may become.

Can you share one client moment that made you think, “Yes, this is exactly why I do what I do”?

One of the moments that always reminds me why I do what I do is when a husband or partner secretly reaches out to book the experience for the woman he loves. They carefully plan everything with us because they want her to feel beautiful, celebrated, and truly special. Seeing that level of thoughtfulness always touches my heart. It reminds me that there are still men who genuinely enjoy making the women in their lives feel loved and appreciated. I'm a big believer in love, and there's something incredibly special about watching a woman realize that this beautiful experience was planned just for her. Seeing her smile, her confidence grow during the session, and the joy the couple shares afterward is a feeling that never gets old. Those moments remind me that we're not just creating beautiful photographs—we're helping create memories that couples will cherish for a lifetime.

What is one misconception or myth you would love to bust about flying dress photoshoots?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to look like a professional model to enjoy a flying dress photoshoot. That couldn't be further from the truth. Our clients are everyday women from all walks of life, and that's exactly what makes each session so special. You don't need to know how to pose or have any modeling experience. All you need is the courage to step in front of the camera, trust the process, and enjoy the moment. We guide you every step of the way, making sure you feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful. Another myth is that every image has to be heavily edited to look amazing. While we professionally edit every final photo, our goal isn't to create an unrealistic version of you. We want to enhance the natural beauty of the moment while keeping it authentic. The magic comes from the breathtaking scenery, the flowing dress, the Caribbean breeze, and your genuine smile not from excessive editing. To me, the most beautiful photos are the ones that capture real joy, confidence, and emotion.

What advice would you give to a woman who wants to book a flying dress photoshoot but feels nervous, self-conscious, or unsure?

If you're feeling nervous about booking a flying dress photoshoot, my advice is simple: just do it. Almost every woman who books with us tells us she's nervous beforehand. She worries about posing, being in front of the camera, or whether she'll look good in the photos. Then, within the first few minutes of the session, those worries begin to disappear. You don't need to be perfect. You don't need to be a model. You don't need to lose weight or wait for the "right time." You are enough exactly as you are. Our team will guide you through every pose, help you feel comfortable, and make sure you enjoy every moment of the experience. By the end of the session, most women tell us they had so much fun and wish they had done it sooner. Life is too short to let self-doubt stop you from creating beautiful memories. Be brave, embrace the experience, and let us capture the incredible woman you already are.

What inspires you to keep going on the hard days?

What keeps me going on the hard days is my belief in myself and the vision I've created. I know who I am, I know what I want to achieve, and I remind myself why I started this journey in the first place. Building a business isn't always easy. There are challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt, but I've learned that every obstacle is part of the process. Instead of focusing on what's difficult today, I keep my eyes on the bigger picture and the life I'm working toward. I'm a firm believer that dreams don't become reality by chance, they become reality because you keep showing up, even on the days when it's hard. So I stay focused, trust the journey, and keep my eyes on the prize.

What is one life lesson running this business has taught you?

One of the greatest life lessons this business has taught me is that nothing truly worthwhile comes easy. Being a business owner is rewarding, but it also comes with challenges, sacrifices, and moments when you question yourself. I've learned that success isn't about never facing obstacles it's about having the courage to keep moving forward despite them. This journey has taught me to be patient, resilient, let some things go and to trust the timing of my own path. Every challenge has helped me grow, not only as an entrepreneur but also as a person. Most importantly, I've learned that if you believe in your vision and stay committed to it, incredible things can happen. Sometimes the biggest reward isn't just building a successful business, it's becoming the person capable of building any business.

What does “women supporting women” mean to you in business?

Women supporting women in business means everything to me because I believe we should create safe spaces where we encourage, uplift, and celebrate one another instead of competing against each other. It reminds me of the African philosophy of Ubuntu: "I am because we are." To me, that means our success is connected. When one woman succeeds, she can inspire, mentor, and open doors for others to succeed as well. I've experienced firsthand how powerful encouragement and kindness can be, and I always try to do the same for other people I know. There is enough room for all of us to shine, and I believe we achieve so much more when we choose collaboration over competition. When women support women, we don't just build successful businesses we build stronger communities, lasting friendships, and a legacy that empowers the next generation.

If you could give one piece of advice to another woman starting her own business, what would it be?

If I could give one piece of advice to another woman starting her own business, it would be this: keep believing in yourself. There will be days when things don't go as planned, when you question your decisions, or when the journey feels overwhelming. That's completely normal. Every entrepreneur experiences those moments. The important thing is not to give up. Get back up, learn from every challenge, and keep moving forward. Growth doesn't happen overnight, but every small step brings you closer to your dream. Trust your vision, stay true to yourself, and never let fear stop you from pursuing what you're capable of achieving. One day, you'll look back and realize that every setback helped shape the success you're living today.

If you were the model in your own flying dress photoshoot, which dress colour would you choose, which location would you choose, and why?

I actually was the very first model for Curacao Flying Dress. The first dress I wore was burgundy, and if I had to choose again today, I would choose the same color. To me, burgundy represents strength, confidence, passion, and femininity. It reminds me to trust myself, embrace my power, and never be afraid to stand out. The location was Santa Martha Viewpoint, one of my favorite places in Curaçao. Standing high on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the breathtaking inland bay, felt symbolic. It represented taking a leap of faith, trusting the journey, and appreciating the incredible beauty that surrounds us. Looking back, I realize that first photoshoot wasn't just about launching a business, it marked the beginning of a dream becoming reality. Every time I see those photos, I'm reminded of how far we've come and why I continue to do what I do.

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P.P.S If this has inspired you to start your own flying dress business venture please tap here.