Meet Tiffany Lewis

We recently connected with Tiffany Lewis and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Being the only one in the room, whether as a Black woman business owner, an educator, or an entrepreneur, has taught me the power of owning my unique story and perspective. I grew up in a single-parent household, raised by my teenage mom, who showed me firsthand the importance of resilience, hard work, and faith. Those early lessons instilled in me the confidence and emotional intelligence I needed to navigate spaces where I might not always see someone who looks like me.

My time in education, especially with Teach for America, further shaped this mindset. I had to step into leadership roles where I was often a trailblazer, not only teaching but also empowering others to grow. As I transitioned into entrepreneurship, I leaned even more into my faith, which has been my anchor through challenges and uncertainties.

I’ve learned to focus on being excellent, prepared, and authentic. By staying true to myself and my vision—whether it’s building Taylor & Jessie or empowering women through marketing strategy—I’ve found success in knowing that I’m not just breaking barriers for myself but also creating space for others to follow.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the Founder and CEO of Taylor & Jessie, an everyday lifestyle stationery brand with a mission to help women crush their goals while protecting their mental health. What makes Taylor & Jessie so special is that it’s more than just stationery—it’s about creating tools that empower busy, multi-faceted women to stay organized, reflect, and take care of themselves.

As someone who spent 15 years in education, teaching and leading, I’ve always been passionate about helping others achieve their full potential. That same passion fuels Taylor & Jessie. We design products like planners, notebooks, and sticky notes that simplify daily tasks, encourage self-reflection, and make goal-setting feel manageable and exciting.

Right now, I’m thrilled about some new launches we’ve kicked off this year. For example, our 12-month undated planner is currently 25% off throughout Quarter 1, and we’ll soon be introducing the quarterly Pen Pal Pack, which includes a notebook, sticky notes, a notepad, and a pen—all perfectly curated to bring joy and ease to your day.

Looking ahead, we’ll continue showcasing our full product line throughout the year, with the big goal of acquiring 500 retail and wholesale accounts! For me, the most exciting part of this work is hearing how the products I’ve designed impact women’s lives—whether it’s giving them a sense of clarity, helping them tackle their goals, or simply reminding them to take a deep breath and prioritize their well-being.

If you’re someone who’s ready to crush your goals while keeping mental health top of mind, Taylor & Jessie is here to support you every step of the way!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say three key qualities that have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset, all deeply rooted in my faith and my commitment to prioritizing mental health and wellness.

1. Resilience: Growing up in a single-parent household to a teenage mom, I learned early on how to persevere through challenges. My faith has always been a guiding force, reminding me that setbacks are temporary and that there’s a greater purpose in every struggle. Resilience became my foundation—whether navigating a 15-year career in education or launching my own business, I’ve faced challenges but never let them define my journey. My advice? Embrace obstacles as opportunities to grow. Lean into your faith, prioritize your mental health, and surround yourself with a support system that uplifts you. Rest and self-care aren’t luxuries—they’re necessary for maintaining the strength to keep going.

2. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing my emotions, while empathizing with others, has been key in both leadership and entrepreneurship. Faith has played a role here, teaching me the importance of grace, patience, and listening to others with compassion. Prioritizing mental health has also helped me stay centered and better equipped to navigate challenges. For those just starting out, focus on developing self-awareness and practicing self-care. Reflect on how you react to challenges, set boundaries when needed, and nurture relationships with those who pour into you emotionally.

3. Growth Mindset: From my early days with Teach for America to running Taylor & Jessie, I’ve always believed in continuous learning and trusting the journey. My faith reminds me that every step—whether forward or backward—is part of a bigger plan. Coupled with this, I’ve learned that protecting my mental health is essential to sustaining growth. My advice? Stay curious and seek opportunities to expand your knowledge. Whether it’s through courses, mentorship, prayer, or taking time to rest, don’t be afraid to invest in yourself and trust that you’re being guided in the right direction.

To anyone early in their journey: Trust that where you start is not where you’ll finish. Keep showing up, lean into your faith, prioritize your well-being, and know that your unique story is your greatest strength.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I’m always excited to collaborate with others who share a passion for empowering women and creating meaningful connections. Specifically, I’m looking to partner with content creators and influencers who can create UGC (user-generated content) featuring Taylor & Jessie products. If you have a knack for showcasing beautiful, functional stationery and sharing how it can inspire organization and goal-setting, I’d love to hear from you!

Additionally, I’m eager to connect with store owners and retail brokers who are interested in featuring Taylor & Jessie products in their stores—whether that’s online marketplaces or brick-and-mortar locations. As a brand that focuses on everyday stationery to help women crush their goals while prioritizing mental health, I believe Taylor & Jessie would be a great fit for shops looking to offer meaningful, high-quality products.

Taylor & Jessie is available on Faire, a wholesale marketplace, making it easy for retailers to explore and stock our products – faire.com/direct/taylorandjessie. To connect, feel free to email me at [email protected] or reach out via Instagram at @taylorandjessie.co. I’m excited to collaborate and grow together!

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?

We asked folks a question that led to many surprising answers – some sad, some

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than

Highlighter Series
What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?

We think this is an essential question because so often there is a disconnect between