Meet Lena Lewis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lena Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lena below.

Lena, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I think it’s deeply rooted in watching the women in my life struggle to keep everything and everyone afloat—without much room to focus on themselves. I was trained to effort. To grind. To figure it out. I was raised with the understanding that I didn’t have anyone to depend on but myself. And when things went wrong—and trust me, they often did—I had to find a way through because no one was coming to save me.

Early on, I learned that discipline and grit could take me far. But more than that, I learned that I didn’t want the life I saw playing out around me. The women in my family and community deserved more, and I wanted to be a source of hope—proof that we could break cycles and create something different.

I often reflect on a defining moment: 16 years old, sitting in the public aid office, pregnant, a junior in high school, applying for assistance. The environment was designed to strip people of their dignity. I remember looking around and thinking, *This can’t be my story. This can’t be where it ends.* I didn’t know *how* I was going to change my life, but I trusted myself enough to believe I could. And that belief, that tiny spark of imagination, was enough to push me forward—one step, one decision at a time.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I wear a lot of hats, but at the core, I’m a builder—of brands, stories, and opportunities for people who often don’t see themselves represented. My career has spanned marketing, media, and business strategy, working with brands from White Claw to M&Ms, and now, I’m channeling that expertise into my own ventures.

I run Fly Society Collective, a creative consultancy focused on cultural storytelling, marketing strategy, and brand innovation. We work with businesses—especially those led by women and Black entrepreneurs—to build marketing that moves people. I believe brands that win today aren’t just selling products; they’re part of the culture. They tell stories. They create moments. They mean something.

Beyond that, I’m growing Honeymane Hair, an e-commerce hair extensions brand rooted in confidence and self-expression for women with textured hair. But my work isn’t just about business—it’s deeply personal. I write about mental health, being a Black woman in corporate America, navigating teen motherhood, marriage, and reinvention. I know what it means to start over, to push through, to build from nothing. My storytelling is raw, real, and rooted in the belief that sharing our journeys creates freedom—not just for ourselves, but for others watching. Right now, I’m writing my book, Girls Like Us—a deeply personal exploration of my journey from being a teen mom to a corporate leader and entrepreneur. And, in the spirit of growth in all areas, I’m also working on nailing my forearm stand in yoga, because balance—literal and metaphorical—is everything.

At the end of the day, I want my work to be a bridge—whether it’s helping brands connect to culture, helping women see new possibilities, or helping my younger self realize that all the dreams I imagined at 16 were possible. Because they were. And they still are.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been discipline, adaptability, and the ability to tell a damn good story.

1. Discipline: Effort Over Emotion
Resilience is built in the moments when no one is watching—when you have to show up for yourself, even when it’s hard. I learned early that effort will carry you further than motivation ever will. Motivation is fleeting; discipline is what gets you through the days when you don’t feel like it.

**Advice:** Build a habit of showing up. Whether it’s waking up early to work on your craft, setting deadlines for yourself, or pushing through discomfort—discipline is a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger it gets. Start small: wake up 30 minutes earlier, commit to learning something new each day, or set a goal and see it through, no matter how you feel.

2. Adaptability: Be Like Water
Life does not go according to plan. Trust me, I’ve tried. If I had stuck to my original script, I’d be somewhere completely different—probably still trying to make things work that weren’t meant for me. But every setback, every detour forced me to get creative, pivot, and find new ways forward.

**Advice:** Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Take risks, say yes to things that scare you, and don’t be afraid to start over. The most successful people aren’t the ones with the perfect plan; they’re the ones who know how to adjust when the plan falls apart. If something doesn’t work, tweak it, rework it, or move on—but don’t get stuck.

3. Storytelling: The Power of Your Own Voice*
Every opportunity I’ve had in life came from being able to articulate who I am, what I stand for, and why I matter. Whether it was in a corporate boardroom, writing an article, or pitching a new idea—being able to tell a compelling story made all the difference.

**Advice:** Learn how to communicate your story. Write, speak, create—whatever your medium is, refine it. People don’t just buy products, they buy *stories*. They don’t just follow leaders, they follow *visions*. Your ability to share your journey, your ideas, and your perspective will open doors you never even knew existed.

4. Healing & Pursuing New Versions of Yourself
For a long time, I was in survival mode—pushing through, grinding, making it work because I had no other choice. And I love that version of me. I applaud her. But I am no longer her. Over the last five years, I’ve done the work to start my healing journey, to breathe life into the parts of myself I once felt shame around, and to release and forgive those who didn’t have the tools to nurture the leader and woman I was born to be. I’ve built a spiritual community, found peace in my evolution, and discovered joy in the beautiful life I’ve created.

**Advice:** Give yourself permission to grow. The version of you that got you through the hard times doesn’t have to be the version of you that thrives in the good times. Healing is about making space for the joy, the softness, and the freedom you deserve. Pursue it unapologetically.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

Who is my ideal client?

First and foremost—**No Asshole Rule.** I’m over it.

I’ve spent over 20 years navigating corporate’s rough waters, and let’s be real—it’s not a place for the weak. Especially for outspoken, assertive (not aggressive!) women. Period. I’ve done my time in rooms where I had to prove my worth ten times over, and I’m not interested in wasting my energy on that anymore.

I want to **collaborate** with people who are passionate about building something beautiful, meaningful, and impactful—and who want to *enjoy the ride as much as possible.* Because listen, yes, friction can lead to better outcomes, and tough conversations are necessary. But let’s have them *respectfully*. Let’s challenge each other in ways that make the work better, not break people down.

Unfortunately, many of us—especially Black women—haven’t always been valued for the badasses we are. We have the **receipts**. We’ve done the work. Please don’t play in our face. If you’re looking for someone to stroke egos or dance around dysfunction, I’m not your person. But if you’re here to build, create, and make real impact with *integrity* and *vision*, I’m all in.

I’m especially interested in working with **growth industries**—wellness, cannabis, start-ups, mid-size businesses, and non-profits—especially those looking to sharpen their narratives, connect authentically with their audiences, and carve out a unique space in their industry. I help brands not just sell products or services, but tell stories that resonate.

I know this might sound “sassy,” but let’s cut the nonsense and get to work. If this vibe resonates with you, **give me a call.** If it doesn’t—Godspeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flysocco.com
• Instagram: lenainmotion
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenarlewis/

Image Credits

Parrish Lewis