The Evolution Of Etta Grove Footwear
By: Ashley Slade
Taking The Journey Of A Thousand Miles With
Etta Grove Footwear
In an era of growing brands and trends, the industry of fashion is in an ever-ending cycle of welcoming newcomers. However, the newcomers that are being welcomed into the fashion industry are brands that are making a statement as well as developing a name for themselves for the world to see. Etta Grove Footwear is one of those brands.
Etta Grove Footwear is a luxury brand that specializes in fashionable footwear for women's sizes ranging from 7m to 14m. The products created by Etta Grove are all customized and handcrafted by the amazing creative team of the company. The intricate designs of each product are crafted in Washington, DC with expert handcrafting connections abroad. Etta Grove Footwear is making a stamp in the fashion industry as a brand of profound power, a passion for fashion, and incredible uniqueness.
Let's Walk In Style As We Meet The Founder
The Founder and Owner of Etta Grove Footwear, Alexis Howard, is a graduate of Howard University with a degree in Law. With these obtained accolades, The HBCU graduate has always had a flair for fashion. Per a quote from the Founder, when she was younger she considered herself as always being a creative.
"When I was younger, I drew a lot. I would ALWAYS find myself drawing fashion." Howard stated when asked where it all began for her. More so on the subject of footwear, she started to break her silence a little more when it came to what intrigued her to develop a flare for footwear. "Most people I know wear a size larger than nine and a half, which is considered to be a large shoe."
She then continued, "I know for the last 40 years, I have had an issue with finding shoes in extended sizes. I have always wanted to start a footwear brand or company that provided stylish footwear of good quality and extended sizes."
The Power & Creation Of
Generational Wealth
Throughout the development of the foundation of Etta Grove Footwear, Howard has two daughters (18 and 23). Now that her daughters are now adults, she has proudly crowned her children with the title of Co-Founders for Etta Grove Footwear. When it comes to the aesthetics of Etta Grove, she considers herself to be more of a classic aesthetic in terms of style. While her daughters are more so contemporary on the level of being involved with a social media presence.
Just as there was gracious development with the foundation of Etta Grove, there was a strong positive inspiration behind the brand's name. "The name Etta is in connection with my grandmother. I hold a close connection to her because she was an entrepreneur herself, a mother of seven, she was a professional just like I am, she was a wife, and above all, she was still able to start a business." She then continued, "I felt that when I started the business, I wanted to know in what way can I honor her. And what better way than to honor her by name."
From this quote, she simply summarizes that she definitely wants to ensure this is a brand that lasts and will continue in the hands of the next generation. What a wonderful way to honor the past while thriving forward into the future. Per a quote from Alexis in reference to the next generation of ownership, "The goal is to create generational wealth."
Etta Grove Actively Reaching Toward All
Demographics Of Consumers
To add more dynamic to the power that was driven behind Etta Grove Footwear, Howard then mentions that she has accomplished all of this while working two full-time jobs. Balancing a career in the federal field for 23 years, and working as an attorney was a practical force she utilized while accomplishing her dream career simultaneously. Howard proceeded to quote, "While balancing my jobs from both fields, I would find myself working on my Etta Grove career in between my lunch breaks." From the perspective of juggling multiple jobs while striving to reach the unreachable star, there was an overall intention of utilizing these resources to invest in the future of Etta Grove. This is clearly the prime definition of patience, persistence, and perception of your future reality.
Howard then goes on to state a clearer perspective for the purpose and mission of Etta Grove Footwear, "I'm starting a footwear brand that exclusively sells extensive sizes. At Etta Grove, we have the personal knowledge of what it actually means to wear an extended size. So, we take from our personal knowledge and apply it to this brand." Howard then continues, "Those personal experiences influence how we design the shoe. We used these experiences for aesthetic, personality, and quality."
With the aesthetic of the female shoe being the primary focal point for Etta Grove, the rising shoe brand also takes into consideration the transgender community. "For consumers that are in the footwear industry that are transgender, there are people that wear large sizes that just want a basic shoe. In this case, not only a basic shoe but a shoe that is stylish and aesthetically pleasing when going about everyday activities. So I definitely wanted to take that into consideration when entering into this business." From this statement alone, Alexis Howard is not only bringing her powerful creativity to the fashion industry, but it comes with passion and uniqueness that is open to a community of people that is considered to be also extraordinary and unique.
Celebrity Talk With
Etta Grove Footwear
With the growing brand of Etta Grove Footwear paving the way in the fashion industry, there's always a dream network one wishes to establish in the future at some point in time. To connect with major names on the red carpet is a dream come true.
When Alexis Howard was asked if she had a choice between celebrities to choose from to network with in the future, here is what she stated, "If I had to make a choice, I would have to say, Tracy Ellis Ross, Zendaya, and Jodi Turner Smith." Howard then proceeds by happily saying, "They are all confident and bold with a sense of style that presents itself. These types of things reflect their whole aesthetic… and I identify with that."
A Day-In-A-Life With Entrepreneur,
Alexis Howard
We all know how excruciatingly busy entrepreneurship can be. Be it balancing a life with juggling multiple jobs while still striving for your dream career, or putting your primary focus within an industry of your choice. Spending a day in the shoes of an entrepreneur can be a day to definitely remember.
When Howard was asked what is it like to spend a day in a life in her shoes as the head of Etta Grove Footwear, here is what she had to say, "I feel the most confident when maneuvering within the brand when it comes to me coming up with different ideas and learning about the different products we will have." Howard then continued, "When it comes to the business side of everything, I can find it complicated at times when it comes to creating intriguing content that represents the brand. However, that is where my older daughter, Kayla, steps in."
Howard then concludes, "I like to be more of the creative aspect behind the brand when coming up with different styles. My daughter Kayla saves the day when it comes to creating the content for our social media platforms for Etta Grove."
Howard has recently announced that she and the Etta Grove team have taken the initiative to participate in one of the most talked about events in fashion history… D.C. Fashion Week! For this event, Etta Grove Footwear was a part of the roster for the Emerging Designers Showcase. What an exhilarating step in a profound direction!
The more the industry of fashion is changing, the more brands within the industry are growing just as quickly. With the impact that is being made by this brand, Howard was asked the question “What is the next chapter for Etta Grove Footwear?”. Here is what Howard stated in conclusion, “I want to become a go-brand continuing to push functionality, aesthetic, and quality for footwear. That is essentially what I’m striving for now.” Howard then continued, “We have already added handbags to our roster and I have so many more ideas. There is room in the market for additional people and brands. And I want to be the go-to for quality footwear. With the ideas I have, I believe customers will be receptive to them.”
Conclusion:
Etta Grove footwear is on a road of captivation, innovation, and determination. To have a plan of action to accomplish a goal for the masses is one thing. But implementing that plan of action and accomplishing more than you’ve ever thought is another point of view. Alexis Howard sets the perfect example for what it means to use your experiences as ammunition to create something that not only benefits the brand but also benefits others as well.
In other words, Howard possesses the intricate ability to emerge in the fashion industry as someone that knows how to strategically “put herself in other people’s shoes”. With that astounding ability mixed with creativity, it allows her to know what consumers want and how to effectively deliver the perfect product for the perfect fit.
Click Below To View More From Etta Grove Footwear & Contact Their Website & Instagram:
IG: @ettagrove
Comments