We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicqueva Haughton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicqueva below.
Nicqueva, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job
When I was 19 years old I got a job as a Sales Associate at Ann Taylor. I quickly moved my way up to Assistant Manager and I stayed there for about 2.5 years. Ann Taylor taught me all about customer service and quality product. There was a culture that I had to learn, embody, and then project when I was out on the sales floor. The store display and cleanliness was vital. There was literally no stone left unturned. I remember arriving to work every morning, vacuuming the dressing room floors, making sure all the racks with hanging clothes were finger spaced, cleaning windows, board folding clothes and so much more. I handled most of the operational things as well and I just remember every detail being equally important in order for the business to run in excellence. Ann Taylor did a phenomenal job at setting themselves a part from other retailers. As employees we were even to act as personal stylist. We had to build relationships with our clients and really learn what it is they wanted as well as know our product well enough to be able to pair the appropriate items with our clients needs. These are the exact values that I am adopting into my business. Quality is everything and true care for my customers is something that I need to have infiltrating. I do everything as excellent as I possibly can, according to my abilities. It’s like that Anita Baker song, “Giving you the best that I’ve got!” There is no way that I can short change my darling customers.
Nicqueva, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For the people who have never heard of me, I just want them to know that I am serious and I really care. Of course, I am in the fashion business, but first and foremost, I care about people! People are what I like to call, my ministry. I put love, care and prayers into every single order and into all of the details of my business. I am doing my absolute best and putting my best foot forward to make my customers happy. What really allows me to stand out from other shoe companies, is my packaging. In my opinion it is second to none. I really put a nice investment into it because my shoe boxes are something that you can keep and repurpose. Another thing I would want the world to know is that my brand pays homage to my late grandmother, Gertrude Elsada Chandersingh, a beautiful fashionista. I am constantly inspired by her memory and by her lineage.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
I took a chance one day and decided to reach out to Danielle Monet Truitt, who plays Sergeant Belle on Law and Order Organized Crime. She was just so inspiring and brave. It was awesome to see a black woman as a lead character in one of my favorite shows. I offered her some shoes and she graciously accepted. I actually have sent a few prominent women that inspire my some shoes. I send it with the disclaimer that, they don’t have to share it, or tell anybody, it’s just a gift. Well, she decided to not only share it, but she also wore them to her press day! I was just so honored that she thought enough of my product to wear it to some of the most important moments in her career!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Honestly, believe it or not, social media has been great, but the clients that I retain, are from word of mouth, or people I meet face to face at pop up shops. I think the testimony of a happy customer is priceless.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopelsada.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/shopelsada
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopElsada/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicqueva/
Image Credits
for the picture of me – @EbonyBPhotography