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

Hi NiK, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
First off, I want to say thank you for wanting to feature me again in ShoutOut LA. To those who may have missed the previous articles, I am the Founder of NiK Kacy Footwear, the first luxury genderequal footwear and accessories brand, and Equality Fashion Week, the first LGBTQ+ inclusive fashion week in LA. We just had our 3rd EFW this past May and it was 4 days of impactful events featuring a diverse array of talented queer folks spanning across North America.

Back in 2013, I left my role at Google to start my footwear brand because I was tired of not being able to find shoes that fit both my feet and my gender expression and identity. My thought process was that if all else fails, I would at least end up with a shoe wardrobe of my dreams. However, the reality was that I was not the only one with this need and turns out, there were many people who had been waiting for this their whole lives. I ran a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $47k which allowed me to go into production and release my first collection of masculine presenting footwear and accessories. Two years later, I released a collection of genderneutral designs and the hope is that one day I’ll also be able to release a feminine presenting collection so that everyone can find something they like in my designs, regardless of their gender expression and identity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have a unique skillset that isn’t customary. I come from a creative background but also am very analytical, practical and detail oriented. I am an artist and innovator who likes to challenge myself by creating things never been done before. It’s something I can’t help. I am a dreamer but I am also a doer.

I come from 20+ years of experience as a Producer in various industries from TV, Radio, Web, Mobile, AR/VR, to Events, and Fashion brand creator. I was even the first non-engineer at Google to develop an idea that was patented. I have the dedication and passion to bring ideas to life and carry it through to completion. It hasn’t always been easy though and in fact, more often than not, it is very challenging because like I said, I like to be the first to do something. Being the first is never easy but it is exciting and rewarding. What I’ve learned is that trusting yourself and your truth is paramount. Never let other people deter you from your dreams because there is no such thing as failure – only learnings.
If there was one thing I wanted the world to know about me and my brands, it would be that everything I create is with the intention of uplifting the world and humanity. To make life better, more caring and more loving than I found it.

In the last decade, I have had the opportunity to take my journey and share my story through public speaking in various platforms to help educate and inspire others. I believe the next chapter in my journey will be focused on sharing more of my story, and helping inspire others to live their truth, make a positive impact and pay it forward.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in LA, Mid-city area and I love this city so much because there is never a shortage of things to do and places to eat. I am a foodie as well so we would eat our way through LA before they left.
First thing would be to head to my favorite sushi joint, Tsuri Sushi, on Melrose Ave and La Brea for my favorite dishes. Owner Wendy and head Chef CO are like family to me so it would be my first stop. Gotta fill our tummies so we have energy to go complete the itinerary! 😉 After dinner, we’d head over to Weho and bar hop. Visit my friends Katie and Mye at Schmitty’s first and then walk our way down the strip to Trunks, Revolver, Wild and Abbey, Rocco’s, etc. (We would of course rideshare to ensure no drinking and driving).

The next day we’d probably be recuperating until afternoon. I would take my bestie to Capital Seafood on La Cienega for some traditional Chinese dim sum! Why drive to SGV (San Gabriel Valley) when you’ve got one of the best dim sum places right here on the westside? After we replenish our bellies, we’d go check out the many museums and art galleries here in LA. MOCA in Weho, LACMA on Wilshire and the many wonderful galleries in between. The Getty is also incredible but that would be another all day excursion.

For dinner, I’d take my bff to Louders in Ktown for the BEST korean fried chicken ever! Plus their raw oysters are to die for. Freshest I’ve ever tasted. I could on and on but I’ll keep this shorter by saying for the rest of the week we’d walk around in Downtown, especially Little Tokyo, maybe do some karaoke, have some imagawayaki and ramen, shop and check out the museums in that area. We’d also make time to go to Universal Studios, peddle boat at the Silverlake Meadows, go to some comedy shows and concerts in true Hollywood style.

The rest of the days I’m sure my guest will want to go to Santa Monica, some swanky hotel and do a rooftop pool and/or the beach. We’d bring our bikes to the boardwalk and ride from Venice to Malibu and go (celebrity) stargazing. Finally, before they leave, we would go hiking up in the canyons and go (sky) stargazing at Griffith Observatory.

By the time my friend leaves, I’m sure they will need another vacation. LOL

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Today, I’d love to shoutout my friend, the very talented, published author and certified life coach, Zara Barrie. Her friendship has helped me through the last year as I faced challenges and often feeling alone in a world that sees things differently than I do. Her book, “Stop Passing Out In Your Makeup” though written for a different target audience, I found to be incredibly helpful to me as many things in our life experience is universal. Her voice as a writer is one of transparency and authenticity which I found to be inspiring but also forced me to look at aspects of my life in a very honest way. I highly recommend that others read her book (even if, like me, you don’t wear makeup lol), and listen to her podcast, Girls On Jane. Her style of storytelling is both entertaining and relatable but also inspires you to reflect on your life. I’m really glad she moved here to LA and I’m excited that she’s helping me write my own book, sharing my journey as a Queer, Trans and Nonbinary immigrant and creative!

Website: https://www.nikkacy.com

Instagram: @nikkacy , @nikkacyfootwear , @equalityfashionweek , @nikkacypresents

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkacy

Twitter: deleted

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkacyfootwear

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/nikkacyfootwear

Other: https://www.equalityfashionweek.com

Image Credits
Kelly Balch
Frances Iacuzzi
Mars Arayza
Willa Cutolo
NiK Kacy
Vanessa DuBois
Roxie Fuller

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