Natischa Harvey: How She Built Her Million-Dollar Fever Shoes Business
Four years and two additional stores later, Natischa was ready to market her own designs to the world. Absolutely nothing came easy; she recalls feeling guilty for depleting her family’s savings to invest in her company and many nights working late and sleeping in her store – away from her husband and three children. She even took a two-week trip to China alone to find a manufacturer for her shoes when none of her industry contacts provided the leads she had hoped for.
The sacrifices were monumental, but she says, without hesitation, that it was completely worth it. “I have worked my butt off for my company, and even when I felt like quitting I just kept going because I didn’t have another option” Natischa said. “It was hard before I really started making money, when I was just breaking even, because my family was depending on me. I depleted our savings account, and I felt horrible. But that only made me work 10 times harder, and today, every drop of blood, every drop of sweat and every tear was well worth it.”
In addition to providing uniquely chic designs to suit the myriad tastes and budgets of the everyday woman (current styles range from a sparkly wedged heel at $59.99 to funky, double-platformed stilettos priced at $250.00), Natischa has also seen her shoes grace the feet of some major celebrities, including Vivica A. Fox, Raven Symone and Christina Aguilera. She actually credits her celeb clientele for giving her company its first real push into the mainstream.
“Once celebrities put a stamp of approval on Fever Shoes and certified the brand – it took off,” Natischa said. “I went from selling $600 or $700 [worth] per day to almost $15,000 in one day.” She also attributes her ever-expanding customer base to constant media exposure and, with press clippings from publications as diverse as People StyleWatch and Essence, Natischa has continued to gain access to different demographics – which is what she always envisioned for her company. “I definitely appreciate the support that the African American community gives me, but I want support from everyone,” she said. “I make shoes for all women.”
On October 4, Natischa was an invited guest at the White House Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference. She was recognized as one of the country’s youngest and most successful women entrepreneurs, and she acknowledges her impact on others who aspire to start their own businesses. While she is very careful to avoid glamorizing the process, even despite her current success, she encourages people to pursue their passions wholeheartedly. “If something is meant for you to do, and you are willing to work hard for it, it is going to happen,” she said. “It may take a while – it took me 6 years – but it will happen. If you want to succeed as much a you want to breathe, you will be successful.”
