Each & every Wednesday for “Woman Crush Wednesdays”, an entrepreneuHER is selected to be featured in the “Boss Babe Spotlight” Series. This series has been curated to shine some light on the small businesses of women who are unapologetically and authentically being themselves while leaving a footprint behind in the world that they live in.

WHO’S UP NEXT?

Today, I am featuring: Chenese Lewis. Recently, I had the chance to interview Chenese and learn some new and exciting things about her. I want to thank her for taking the time to speak with me so that I could shine some light on all of her dopeness and share it with you all. I certainly look forward to continuing to curate, collaborate, create and celebrate with her in the future! You can shower her with your support by booking her to host your next event or listening to her podcast! Sit back, relax, pour a glass of wine and read about what she shared with me:

What do you want people to know about you and your business?

Chenese Lewis Productions, LLC is a media company established in 2007. My company has produced a television pilot, numerous events, and body positive products. The company also handles my bookings as a national personality, host, and speaker. 

My podcast, The Chenese Lewis Show, launched in 2008, is also managed by the company. The Chenese Lewis Show has served as an oral history of the plus size community, with extensive interviews documenting the rise to fame of many of the plus industries top stars. The podcast has unmatched quality content for its niche market, making it a stand out platform for not only plus size women, but for all.

What drives you as a business owner?

I initially started in the industry through my passion for body positivity, which became the catalyst for my brand and business.My brand’s mission is to empower every person, especially women, to have healthy body image and self-esteem, which Iadvocate by being a positive role model and influencer, promoting body positivity through my podcast, and hosting events that celebrate what our society doesn’t deem as the ideal of beauty, rather its natural hair or plus size fashion.

What kind of legacy/footprint do you want to leave behind?

2020 will mark my 20th anniversary of being active in the plus size community. Prior to the social media boom, I was making waves as an advocate through being a visibly plus size person breaking ground as a plus-size model and actress that didn’t fit industry standards, as well as producing body positive events and campaigns that gained national and international media attention. I hope to leave a legacy of love and passion by being a trailblazer that helped bring exposure to a community, to set the next generation up to achieve things I could only imagine.

What knowledge would you like to impart on other small business owners, both new & aspiring and old & experienced?

I would like business owners to always present their brand in a positive light and to always be professional. Social media can be a gift and a curse. Although it is a wonderful marketing tool that is cost effective, unprofessional use of the platforms can be harmful to brands. Unless your brand is provocative on purpose, using profanity, posting inappropriate pictures, and anything else that does not present you in the best light is not helping to build a success respectable brand.

What does being a “boss babe” mean to you? 

Being a boss babe to me means I’m authentic, ambitious, confident, and talented. I’m in charge of my life and make no apologies or excuses for who I am.

If you had to pick a phrase to serve as your words of affirmation, what would it be?

“Blessings have your name on them. It’s not a competition.” Sometimes people are so busy trying to compare their business with others that they can’t enjoy their own journey or celebrate their own accomplishments. Some get so competitive that they can become mean spirited and lack integrity to get ahead. Everyone’s path to success is not the same. Focus on your own business and not what others are doing.

Are there any other special gifts or talents that you have that you’d like to share?

I have strong leadership skills, great at networking, and enjoy being philanthropic with charitable organizations in the community.

For more information about Chenese and her current projects visit https://www.CheneseLewis.com and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @CheneseLewis