Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Lewis.
Hi Nina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Man, looking back at the journey is definitely a trip. I started my cosmetology career at House of Heaven right in the heart of Kansas City. MO. When I saw that 1,500-hour requirement to graduate, I thought there was no way I’d ever hit it, but I did. Those first two years after were just me finding my rhythm and figuring out what this life was really about.
Fast forward 26 years, and I’ve been around the block. I’ve logged over 11 years in management and spent 12 years in the corporate lane as an educator. I’ve coached, I’ve pushed ponytails, and I’m pretty sure I laid down some of the sharpest, most spiked-out styles the early 2000s ever saw.
Today, I’m retired from behind the chair and stepping into a brand-new chapter. I’m still figuring out exactly what’s next, but not in a bad way—it’s just where I’m at. When I look at all the places I’ve been and the work I’ve put in to get here, it’s been one heck of a ride, and I honestly cannot wait to see what’s next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Smooth road?” That’s a good one. If I’m being real, it hasn’t always been easy, but I want to be a living testimony for anyone out there grinding, wondering why they’re putting in all this work but still feeling stuck.
A lot of my early struggles came down to one thing: trying to please everybody else. I spent way too much time looking for validation in my titles, my output, or how other people valued me, instead of finding my own rhythm and building confidence in who I actually was. I let some of my true passions take a backseat because I was too busy focusing on what the world deemed “valuable.”
If I could go back and talk to 21-year-old Nina, I’d tell her to pour everything into the passions that others didn’t see value in back then. Those are the things I yearn for the most now. Take painting, for example—I’ve always loved to paint, but at the time, it didn’t put food on the table, so I put the brush down. Now, at 46, that same urge to create is just as strong as it was when I was 21. It’s a reminder that your true self is always waiting for you to pick it back up.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When it comes to my work, I don’t fit into a single box, which is why I chose ‘other.’ At my core, I see myself as a lighthouse—a beacon for those navigating their own path and looking for a little more light.
I specialize in helping others clear the obstacles that dim their shine. Often, people are walking around with ‘lampshades’ covering their true potential, and my role is to help them remove those barriers so they can burn brightly again.
What truly sets me apart is the source of my fuel. My ‘oil’ isn’t human-supplied or based on the shifting opinions of the world; it’s sustained by my faith in Jesus Christ. Because that source is constant, I don’t get shaken by what mankind does or doesn’t do. I’m simply a willing vessel, and I’ve found that this kind of light—fueled by something deeper than professional accolades or public validation—is the most valuable and sustainable kind of energy you can offer.
I’m most proud of the fact that I get to help others realize that their own light is just as essential.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way to collaborate with me? Honestly, it’s by choosing not to work against the light.
We all know the dynamic: darkness always tries to outpace the light. Sometimes people act as ‘lampshades’—not just dimming their own shine, but unknowingly shadowing others, too. There’s that old saying that if you don’t take the time to heal, you’ll eventually bleed on those who didn’t cut you. So, my first request for anyone looking to connect is simple: if you haven’t found your own light yet, just be careful not to stand in the way of someone else’s.
Beyond that, the best way to support this work is to get honest with yourself and stop resisting what you actually need. I’m a firm believer in accessibility—99% of the development and insight I offer is free of charge. When people reject that kind of help, it’s usually because there’s something deeper going on that they aren’t ready to face yet.
But for those who are ready? I’m easy to find. I’m a message, a phone call, or an email away—and if we’re in the same room, a quick look is all it takes to connect. My books are open, and I’m ready to work with anyone who’s ready to shine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skool.com/foundations-of-growth-4071/about
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-lewis-692448196
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ninasrandomcorner4264
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3d6z7XkbXlgeuJ5E2sPN3G
