Meet Raven Lewis | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raven Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raven, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my first business when I went away to college, UAPB. It was called “A&R The Experience.” I made custom distressed clothing and handmade choker necklaces. Both were really in at the time and I started that business with one of my friends, so we had good clientele. After that trend kind of died down I ramped my brand to be “Rave by Raven LLC,” and this time I was focused on beauty more than fashion. I started doing hair and selling hair extensions out of my dorm room. I grew up in a hair salon. I have many aunts who are hairstylists, so I believe my love for hair came naturally. Plus, when I went away to school I was forced to do my own hair, so people would always ask if I could do theirs too. That’s when I decided to start taking it serious. It was a great hustle for me because I was tired of calling home asking for money. lol. But then I expanded to selling hair extensions because I was really known for making wigs, but it was hassle not having hair to make the wigs with so I thought why not just sell my own. And that is how my brand was born.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My brand, Rave by Raven, includes luxury hair extensions, custom wigs, hair accessories, and hair services. Now my schedule doesn’t allow me to really do hair as much but when I was, I would do ponytails, frontal/closure installs, quick weaves, literally anything except braids. Now, I am venturing into natural haircare products. In 2021, I gave my brand a storefront by opening The Lush Lounge, its located in one of my hometowns, Belleville, IL. It is literally an one stop shop! You can get a wax, facial, your makeup done, lash extensions, a wig install, bundles, accessories, and an outfit all in one place! Shoutout to my team, check them out @theelushlounge on Instagram. I am excited to see how we expand to new cities.

I feel like I got to where I am today with my business by being ambitious and fearless. I always want more and better for myself so I am always thinking of what I can do or how I can grow. I do a lot of self reflecting! I’m always thinking of how I can create generational wealth for my family. It literally keeps me up at night sometimes because I have so many ideas. Having a business has never been easy for me because I would always be juggling school or my career at the same time. Having a business takes up a lot of time, emotions, and just strength overall. There were so many times where I wanted to say forget it and I probably would have if I listened to others, but I don’t. I really just move to the beat of my own drum. I take opinions but I don’t let people throw me off with what they think.

One of the most valuable things that I have learned is to always remain teachable/coachable. You never want to be a know it all because no one person just knows it all! Always be open to new things because you never know what thing is just going to work for you, it’s all a risk so why not try new things. Just do it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m all into vibes. A place has to have cute decor, great drinks, vegan or seafood options on the menu because I’m a pescatarian, and trap music. lol. In my past life I really think I was a rapper. I would most likely take best friend to a hookah bar or a club. I work in nightlife as a bottle girl, so if you ever need a section just contact me! I really do enjoy the energy of getting cute and going to the club with my girls, there’s nothing like it. I’m still learning the city, I have so many places I want to visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Whew, this is a hard one because I owe a lot to so many people for the love and knowledge they poured into me. First, shoutout to my mom, my grandparents, brother, and my whole family! I come from a family of love that always support me in everything I do. I’m so blessed to have that because they make me feel like I can do anything. When I graduated from undergrad they literally drove 7 hours on a charter bus! It was like 50 of them! lol. They always ride for me! Shoutout to Ms. Chalmers who is the founder of Belleville West Harambee, it’s a student organization that I was apart of in high school. I feel like a lot of what I learned from her and that organization set the tone for my leadership roles throughout my life. Ms. Angie from Wings of Hope poured a lot of love and time into me as well, shoutout to her. Dr. Eboni January was one of my mentors when I was in college, she really gave me motivation and something to look up to being from the same city, a black woman doctor, so fly and stylish! She showed me that it was achievable. Now, I have the pleasure with working along side her at Weaver Wellness Center, which is the reason I relocated to Houston.

Website: https://linktr.ee/Ravebyraven

Instagram: ravenikia

Linkedin: Raven Lewis

Youtube: Raven I’kia

Other: The Lush Lounge is located at 6600 West Main St., Suite 2A Belleville, IL 62226. Weaver Wellness Center is located at 926 N Wilcrest Dr. Houston, TX 77079.

Image Credits
Photographers: @tikaboo @super_savageeeee