On this special edition of Couture Careers, meet Rashid Floyd.



I met this young man over twenty years ago at a fraternity party in the summer of 1995. College parties were the norm and after crossing paths multiple times that summer, we became friends before he escaped to play basketball in Mobile, Alabama.

Rashid Floyd is the designer of the brand, Nelson Balka. During this podcast, Floyd walks us through the story behind his label's name and introduces us to the man who represented it.

"NB" Nelson Balka, is an up and coming fashion house based in Houston, TX.  It’s fashionable street-chic couture line is inspired by a mix of American and European cultures.  Nelson Balka is a luxury brand created by American designer and entrepreneur Rashid A. Floyd.  Using the name of his beloved late grandfather Nelson Balka, Mr. Floyd founded and established NELSON BALKA CLOTHING in the spring of 2009.  Mr. Floyd credits his sense of style to his late grandfather.  Born in 1913, Nelson Balka, the man, was synonymous with class, style and sophistication.  Mr. Floyd interprets his classic and unique style to create a casual, yet sophisticated collection for the young, fashion forward socialite. The brand has quickly garnered the attention of celebrities, professional athletes and entertainers. The timeless and unmistakable  "NB" logo is a staple of the brand that will be recognized the world over.

During the podcast, we quickly learn about the trials and error of building a company from the ground up as well as the fancy footwork and many hands involved in the popularity of growing the designer's label. Rashid salutes the movers and shakers in Houston, like Slim Thug, that helped influence his brand and propel it to it's initial height during it's introduction phase. He gives insight about life's challenges that affected Nelson Balka's delay in the years that followed and speaks on a recent momentum of "By Way of Houston".

Floyd also discusses his past career choices and walks us through his early days when he began to build his resume. We learn about his work ethic, his versatility as a boy from the country and a man in the city and how that has guided his determination and drive. On the road to success, the journey takes twist and turns. Listen as Rashid share's God's design for his life.