Fairygodboss of the Week: Alice Lewis

Photo Courtesy of Alice Lewis.

Photo Courtesy of Alice Lewis.

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Alice Lewis launched Alice's Table in 2015 with a mission: to empower women across the U.S. to find a creative job that met their needs. That meant flexibility, fair pay and the ability to use their talents to make something special. Since, Alice's Table has helped countless women start their own floral arranging businesses. And the community Lewis has created is her dream come true. 

We sat down with Lewis to learn why she started Alice's Table, who inspires her and how she overcomes the challenges that go along with starting your own business. Then, she shared her no. 1 piece of advice for women who want a fulfilling career that meets their needs.  
Tell us a little about your career. How did you get to where you are now?
After graduate school, I started working in the tech industry and noticed the emergence of the gig economy — and the need for more flexible and creative jobs for women that truly met their needs. I wanted to empower women to start their own creative businesses and give them the tools, knowledge and community they needed to be successful. So, I coupled that with the demand for consumer lifestyle experiences. In September 2015, I launched Alice’s Table with the mission to empower women across the country to start their own creative floral arranging businesses.
What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?
Seeing all our Event Execs (over 300 now!) launch their own businesses with us. Recognizing that they trust Alice’s Table to help them grow and find a new career opportunity is amazing.
What is a challenge that you've faced and overcome?
With any startup, the challenges come everyday. To pick one would undermine the fact that there have been so many! I am a big believer that success is a function of how you stand up after a fall. 
Who is YOUR Fairygodboss? and Why?
I really admire Julie Rice from SoulCycle! She understands how experiences can create and cultivate community. Also, she is an absolute brand genius. Her ability to train SoulCycle instructors to create a consistent experience across the country is what I aspire to achieve.  
What do you do when you're not working?
I love to cook! It is my way of decompressing. You will usually find me with a glass of wine, blasting country music in my kitchen. I hate doing the dishes though, so I am not sure my husband appreciates my passion for cooking as much as I do.
Lightning Round: What is your karaoke song?
I don't have one! The world is a better place when people don't hear me sing.
Lightning Round: What is your favorite movie?
"Devil Wears Prada."
Lightning Round: What book would you bring with you on a desert island?
"Crazy Rich Asians" because if I was stuck on an island, I would need something funny to get me through! 
Lightning Round: What is your shopping vice? What would you buy if you won the lottery?
I love sneakers. In fact, I am wearing a pair of sparkly silver high tops today. If I won the lottery, the first thing I would do is hire someone to research all of the amazing organizations in the world and help me to support people who need it the most. 
What is the #1 career tip you'd like to share with other women who want to have successful careers like you? 
When I was young, I didn’t realize how valuable nurturing your network is. I wish I invested more time into building my connections, learning from them and utilizing them. As you begin your career, take the time to establish a diverse network. I use mine every week, if not every day.
Why do you love where you work?
My job is making other women successful; we help women who need flexibility and we get to see them thrive and succeed. No matter if an Exec shares the launch of her Instagram account or a sold out event, I am there to celebrate that victory with her. I had a dream a little over three years ago to create a community that fostered entrepreneurship and creativity, and now it’s a reality. Knowing that what I do makes a difference every day is the best part.

Fairygodboss is all about women helping other women. So each week, we celebrate a woman who makes a difference in other women’s careers. Is there a woman who has made a difference in your career? Celebrate and thank her by nominating her here.