An Inspired Chat with Lewana kidane of Washington DC

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lewana kidane. Check out our conversation below.

Lewana, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m definitely walking a purposeful path. From the beginning, I knew I wanted Sculpted by Lu to be more than just a service — I wanted it to grow into a full medical spa brand with multiple locations, franchise opportunities, and an e-commerce platform that makes our products accessible worldwide. Every step I’ve taken, from research to training to launching new products, has been intentional and focused on building something sustainable. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve never felt like I was wandering — I’ve always had a bigger vision in mind and I’m committed to seeing it through.

Part of that vision is creating opportunities for others. I want Sculpted by Lu to be more than a spa — I want it to be a platform that inspires, educates, and uplifts. One of my long-term goals is to launch a mentorship program and eventually create a school connected to my medical spa where women can learn about nursing and aesthetics. I see it as a space that’s strictly medical but also accessible — offering guidance for women who want to pursue nursing, providing aesthetics classes, and even scholarship programs to make those opportunities possible. Beyond that, I want to be a mentor for people who feel lost in their journey and need someone to guide and support them, because I know how life-changing it can be to have someone in your corner.

I’m currently in nursing school myself, working toward becoming an aesthetic nurse, and that has shaped how I see the future of Sculpted by Lu. My goal is to elevate the brand by expanding into advanced services like Tirzepatide, facial balancing, fillers, and Botox — while always staying true to our foundation of non-surgical, non-invasive treatments. We’ve built our reputation on enhancing the natural body and face while keeping results as natural as possible, and that will always remain at the heart of what we do.

To me, walking this path means more than just growth — it means raising standards in aesthetics, giving back to my community, and building something that will outlast me. Sculpted by Lu is not only about transforming appearances; it’s about inspiring lives, educating the next generation, and showing women that they can carve their own path in both healthcare and entrepreneurship.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Lewana Kidane, and I’m the founder of Sculpted by Lu, a body contour and wellness brand that has grown into a multifaceted company over the past seven years. I started this journey at just 21 years old, and since then I’ve successfully managed and expanded Sculpted by Lu into a brand with multiple parts — from services to training to products and e-commerce. What makes my story unique is that I built this brand from the ground up at a young age and have been able to maintain it with consistency, innovation, and a clear vision for the future.

Over the years, Sculpted by Lu has trained more than 350 professionals across the U.S., been fully booked on multiple occasions, and sold out of inventory — even introducing innovative self-pickup options to meet our clients’ needs. Beyond services, I’ve also mentored young women and business professionals in starting their own brands, offering guidance on marketing, resources, and vendors to help them succeed. Our mission goes beyond aesthetics; we’ve always prioritized giving back to the community. Every year, we hold toy drives, donate to schools, and I’ve had the opportunity to speak on panels for young children, sharing my story and encouraging them to follow their dreams. These moments are just as important to me as the milestones within the business, because they reflect the heart of why I started this journey.

What makes Sculpted by Lu special is that it’s not just a clinic — it’s a community and a platform for transformation. Our services focus on non-surgical, non-invasive treatments that enhance natural beauty, while our training programs, mentorship opportunities, and e-commerce expansion make the brand accessible and impactful beyond the treatment room. I’m currently in nursing school, working toward becoming an aesthetic nurse, and my vision is to expand Sculpted by Lu into a full medical spa offering advanced services such as tirzepatide, facial balancing, fillers, and Botox. Long-term, I plan to launch a mentorship program and school where women can access nursing guidance, aesthetics classes, and scholarships.

To me, Sculpted by Lu is about more than beauty — it’s about raising standards in aesthetics, creating opportunities for women, and building something that transforms appearances, inspires lives, and gives back to the community that has supported me since day one.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I was first introduced to motivational thinking as a kid. One of my best friend’s moms was deeply into books like The Secret and the works of Lisa Nichols, and she introduced me to that world at a young age. She was also a successful business owner herself, living in a million-dollar penthouse in San Francisco, and I remember realizing that anything is possible when you practice manifestations and speak things into existence.

From then on, I became obsessed with personal growth and mindset. I studied those books like assignments — attending motivational speaker events, taking notes, and practicing what I learned. Over time, I saw how powerful that way of thinking truly is. Of course, life can be difficult, and there are moments when it feels hard to hold onto that kind of belief — but I’ve learned it’s actually harder to live in negativity than it is to commit to positivity. You have to make it your job: for yourself, for your future, and for your children’s future.

Because of this way of thinking, I’ve carried a deep belief that everything always works out for me — and I’ve seen it play out in real life. Opportunities align, interviews go well, and doors continue to open. That belief has shaped not only my journey as an entrepreneur but also my commitment to mentorship and community. I want to pass that mindset on to others, especially women who feel lost in their journey, so they too can see that with focus, consistency, and vision, they can create the life they want.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me that redirection is often protection and that every denial I’ve faced has ultimately pushed me toward something greater. It has given me love and hope for what lies ahead, even during times when I couldn’t yet see the bigger picture. Success is powerful, but it exists at the top of the mountain. The journey to reach it is what truly shapes you. The struggles, the setbacks, and the silent battles no one else witnesses are what build character, and that’s what makes the summit feel so meaningful once you arrive.

When I first started my business at 21 years old, I experienced those lessons firsthand. Although I was fully booked, I often felt overwhelmed with imposter syndrome — I questioned whether this success was truly mine and whether I was worthy of it. In my very first month, I earned $25,000 working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. By the second month, I had reached $40,000, but with that success came unexpected challenges. My landlords, who owned a similar business that was not as successful, began spreading false rumors about me in an attempt to tarnish my reputation, that hadn’t even begun — something I only learned about through my loyal, paying clients. The negativity and harassment were mentally draining, yet I refused to allow it to derail my vision. At the same time, mentorship was not easily accessible unless you paid for it, and when I did attempt to invest in myself, I was scammed by people who took advantage of my eagerness to learn. On top of that, I had no formal background in marketing or business, so everything felt uncertain. Still, I chose to channel that adversity into growth. By the end of my second month, I purchased my own location and became my own landlord. Those experiences, though painful, shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today and gave me the perspective to mentor others, guiding them away from the mistakes I once made.

Suffering taught me that challenges are inevitable and doubt is unavoidable, but passion will carry you further than anything else. Passion outlasts hard work, because when you are deeply connected to your purpose, you find the strength to keep climbing even when the path is steep. And when you finally achieve success after walking through that kind of fire — it doesn’t just feel rewarding, it feels earned, sacred, and like undeniable proof that every step of the journey was worth it.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me are my morals, my character, and how I treat people. Kindness, honesty, and integrity are non-negotiables for me, and I don’t care much for superficial things. What I value most is living with purpose — being a humanitarian, making an impact, and leaving people better than I found them.

They would also tell you I’m a perfectionist, even a bit of a control freak when it comes to the things I love and care about, though I’m learning to let go and grow through that. At the same time, I’m very open-minded and love to experience new things. I’m a social butterfly at heart — I love traveling, connecting with people, and hearing their stories. I think that balance between being deeply intentional and also open to the world is what makes me who I am. And I believe that’s also why I’m able to bring both passion and purpose into everything I do, whether it’s business, mentorship, or community.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people may misunderstand about my legacy is that it’s not about building a business for the sake of success — it’s about building something with purpose. From the outside, people may only see the numbers, the growth, the bookings, and the expansion, but my legacy isn’t measured in revenue. It’s measured in impact. It’s about how many people I’ve mentored, how many women I’ve helped believe in themselves, and how many lives have been touched through Sculpted by Lu and beyond.

Another thing people may misunderstand is that it didn’t come easy. They might see the success and think it was effortless, when in reality it was years of discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. I want my legacy to show that the struggles mattered just as much as the wins — that every setback and every redirection shaped the impact I’m able to make now.

Ultimately, my legacy is about more than aesthetics. It’s about raising standards, creating opportunities, and building a platform that will outlast me. If people misunderstand anything, it might be thinking this is just a beauty brand. In reality, it’s a movement rooted in mentorship, professionalism, and purpose. That’s what I want people to truly understand when they look back at what I’ve built.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
justoshoots and sculptedbylu

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.
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

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