Meet Felicia Nykaza: Blogger-Creator & Advocate

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

Hi Felicia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
At first I really didn’t think of my blogging as risky. I was just naturally sharing some elements of our lives. The world we live in is changing, evolving, my kiddo is now a teen, topics of motherhood and my worldview broaden with it, but as time went by I started to notice having some kind of push back. A sudden drop in numbers, a little more hate comments/messages needing to be moderated. And it has been just because I have a stance or addressing Human Rights topics, such as LGBTQ+ related was kind of shocking to some. I guess I was always viewed as a “Mommy Blogger” and for some reason it’s that typecasting is viewed like certain subjects such as those are off limits. Like moms or women aren’t entitled to want better. Want change. Want the world to be safe and educated for their reasons. I was shocked. Honestly, I hate to think of what I do as “brave” or “risk-taking,” but as I’ve grown, as the “Ello Felicia” Brand and Blog as grown my eyes are open. Having people reach out or watching the reactions to what I’m sharing I am realizing more and more how important and needed my voice is. I have hit the point in my life and work that I feel like, “what good is my platform if I don’t have a stance to share?” I still feel like the topics I address shouldn’t be viewed as polorazing, but hopefully as time goes on and influencers/bloggers such as myself keep pushing, one day everyone will just be loved and accepted. One day my topics won’t be risky, they’ll be standard entertainment. Or at least that’s my hope.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Well, there are so many fantastic bloggers out there, and especially in San Diego, but I really felt this hole missing. At first, ElloFelicia.com was just going to be me stepping out a bit more from my San Diego Moms Co. (formerly Blog) roots, but eventually, the whole idea evolved. I was always labeled the “Nerdy Mom,” but I never truly expressed, especially not under my name the more deeper topics. I have been going through a different path on motherhood and self-discovery that hadn’t really been covered, and I was finally ready to help. My blog tries to explore more with raising a rainbow (my LGBTQ+ kiddo) and sharing about advocacy and resources. There are a lot of great groups out here, but if you don’t know what to look for you may be missing them. I wanted to try to help connect, help educate, help give a voice…while still being my nerdy self. The “Ello Felicia” blog and brand just breaks away from the average mainstream thoughts and offers a different view of things. My goal is to leave the world better than when I entered it and every day I hope I’m accomplishing it. I’m proud to be someone’s safe space.

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?
Oh goodness! San Diego has so many great things to eat and do! Let me see if I can cut my list down. Corvette Diner for those with families though really, heck even just adults! Their theme is so fun and those “adult” milkshakes! Fig Tree in P.B. for a chill brunch. InsideOut in Hillcrest. You really can’t go wrong with any meal or happy hour time there. Another Hillcrest must, Babycakes. So glad they came back to the city they started in. As for to do, well, Balboa Park is a MUST! …So are our beaches. I personally just love chilling in Ocean Beach. My favorite is to get some coffee and relax at Sunset Cliffs or walk the Pier and beach shore. Also, Wednesday Nights at the O.B. Farmers Market or hitting a restaurant and then watching all those talented fire dancers on the lawn by the beach. O.B. is just like nowhere else.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been so lucky and blessed to have found my true soulmate, Sean. He really has been my biggest cheerleader. How did I get so lucky? Of course, I have to include my kiddo for being my inspiration and my reason why. And, really I owe this one big time, Melissa McClure for being the push! My friend, mentor, and coach. I’m not sure I would have ever got the confidence to finally launch “Ello Felicia” if it wasn’t for her.

Website: https://ellofelicia.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ello_felicia/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ello_Felicia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ello.felicia/

Image Credits
Melissa McClure Photography & NoH8Campaign