Meet Nicqueva Haughton | Owner of Elsada Shoes/ Shoe Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicqueva Haughton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicqueva, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
All my life I’ve considered myself a simple around the way girl. I was born in Stamford, CT and have been in Connecticut all of my life so far. I began to realize that I had something special within me when I noticed I was never quite fitting into the mold. If we aren’t careful, not fitting in can impact us negatively in our adolescent years. I was raised by two amazing parents, Lynton & Sharon Nelson, who embraced individuality. In my house, there was always a sense of “Do it how you feel it!” Self expression was embraced. Although my parents always guided me to do the right thing, there was always a fine line between what was right and what was true to who I am as an individual. My love of fashion and more particularly shoes was something I believe I was born with. I simply gravitated towards things I considered beautiful!! Both of my grandmothers are and were highly fashionable people. They were all about the sequin and color coordinating. My parents were all about clean lines and just being fresh! I think my environment was conducive to birth entrepreneurial behaviors and embrace individual creativity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Art is one of the best things on earth. Literally, the only wrong way to do art is to be inauthentic. Entering this endeavor of designing my own shoes, it hadn’t even dawned on me that black and brown shoe designers were few and far between. What I love about my brand, is that I am able to share fashion with the world from my point of view. Because I am able to pick everything from the design of the shoes to the fabrics to the textures in the inner soles, you won’t find my shoes anywhere else, they are only found in my store. The other awesome perk to that is that they are super exclusive. Some styles won’t come in many pairs, meaning you don’t have to worry about showing up to the party and someone has your shoes on! I have learned that running a business really adds a weight to someone who longs to simply be artistic, but I am building something amazing, I am literally building my list of qualifications. I have learned that everything you do has to be done in love. People can feel your passion through your art. I have also learned to heavily practice gratitude. Everyday I get up, I recite what I am grateful for, then I recite the things I am good at, and lastly I recite what challenging areas of me I am going to work on. Who we are will shine through our art and business so I think it’s important to be in tune with that and always show up as our best.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friends were visiting Connecticut We would definitely eat well!

1. Bell City Diner- Bristol, CT
2. Soul De Cuba – New Haven, CT

We’d definitely shop!

1. KChic Boutique- Fairfield CT
2. West farms Mall- Hartford, CT
3. Target

A little R & R

1. Waters Edge Resort – Westbrook, CT
2. Blue Lotus Spa – Shelton, CT

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to Kethlene Felican of KChic Boutique

She’s such a boss! She is really setting the bar for women, for black people, and for all entrepreneurs.

Website: www.shopelsada.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/nicqueva

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/nicqueva

Facebook: Nicqueva Haughton

Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC_PLQIQ7-pgHtm4jjO3gFmw

Image Credits
Teron Haughton Kennies Earl