We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patrick A. Lewis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Patrick A. thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At Fresh Start Image Consulting, our mission is simple but powerful: to transform lives through intentional style. We believe clothing is not just fabric; it’s a visual declaration of identity, confidence, and purpose. But the “why” behind our mission goes much deeper than fashion.

I grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward, in a Creole family with roots in Louisiana. My father, James Lonnie Landry, passed before I could truly know him, but people always told me how sharp and elegant he was, a man whose style spoke before he did. That legacy stayed with me. I learned early on how powerful presentation could be. Not because we had much, but because we took pride in what we had. Sharing clothes with my younger brother and learning to reimagine the same outfit multiple ways became my first lessons in resourceful style..

As a kid, fashion magazines were my escape. As a man, style became my strategy. I created Fresh Start for men stepping into new seasons, ready to own the room, tell their story without speaking, and reclaim their narrative. That might be an executive entering the C-suite, athletes in the league, or coming into the league, or a former athlete redefining life after the league, or a man who simply wants to look in the mirror and recognize his own potential again.
This mission is meaningful to me because I know what it feels like to need a reset, not just in clothes, but in confidence. I’ve lived it. And every time I help a man align his outward image with his inner purpose, I feel like I’m honoring the legacy of the father I never got to know and building a new legacy for others to follow.

Patrick A. , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Patrick A. Lewis, and I’m the founder of Fresh Start Image Consulting, a strategic image and personal branding firm that helps men align their appearance with their ambition. I often say, “Style is not just about clothes, it’s about who you are and where you’re going.” That mindset is at the heart of everything we do. do.

My journey into this industry wasn’t traditional; it was personal. I grew up in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward in a Creole family, and fashion became both an escape and a language. My father passed away before I had the chance to know him, but he left behind a reputation for being impeccably dressed. I inherited that legacy without even realizing it. My aunt on his side helped awaken that passion in me by introducing me to fashion magazines and catalogs at a young age. What started as fascination turned into a craft and eventually, a calling.

I’ve always understood that image holds power. It shapes perception, influences opportunity, and communicates identity long before you speak. My clients come to me when they’re ready to evolve, when they’ve outgrown an old chapter and are preparing to step into a new one. Whether it’s a CEO stepping onto a national stage, a groom preparing for the most photographed day of his life, an athlete coming into the league, or a former athlete reinventing himself post-career, I’m their trusted advisor in that transformation

But what I offer goes deeper than clothes. I solve the problem of misalignment when a man’s appearance doesn’t match his value, his energy, or his next chapter. That disconnect can quietly sabotage confidence and close doors. I help men walk into any space, whether it’s a boardroom, a red carpet, or a second chance, with presence, clarity, and authority. to help you look like it.d.

At Fresh Start, we offer a suite of services tailored to men who want to lead with intention and presence. These include:
Executive Image Consulting
Wardrobe Overhauls & Personal Styling
Strategic Brand Alignment & Visual Identity Development
Custom Pulls for Events, Press, and Media
Style SOS Sessions™ (For urgent and last minute styling needs)

What sets me apart is that I lead with vision, not vanity. I don’t push trends, I study the man, his story, and his direction. I ask: Who do you need to become, and how should that look? My clients aren’t styled, they’re aligned.

What I’m most proud of is the transformation I get to witness. I’ve had clients land major deals, walk into media interviews, speak on stages, step into fatherhood, or bounce back after setbacks, all because their outer image finally met their inner truth. That’s when the world takes notice. That’s when the real shift happens.

For anyone meeting me or Fresh Start Image Consulting for the first time, know this: I believe in the power of reinvention. I believe in showing up intentionally, unapologetically, and fully. And if you’re ready for your next level, I’m here to help you look like it.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn doubting myself, and honestly, that’s a lesson I wish I had faced sooner.

For a long time, I second-guessed my voice, my vision, and whether I really had what it took to build something impactful in this industry. I had the talent, the taste, the instincts, but I let fear and comparison talk me out of trusting myself fully. I told myself I needed more credentials, more time, more approval. But what I really needed was permission to believe I was enough to begin with.

That doubt prolonged my journey. I delayed launches, passed on opportunities, and stayed small in rooms where I should’ve taken up space. And it wasn’t because I wasn’t ready, it was because I didn’t believe I was.

The turning point came when I realized no one was coming to validate me. I had to stop waiting and start walking. Once I gave myself permission to lead with what I do know, not what I don’t, everything started shifting. Clients responded differently. I showed up differently.

Now, I carry that lesson into everything I do, especially when I’m working with men who are stepping into new chapters. Because self-doubt doesn’t just steal time, it silences greatness. And I know what it feels like to fight through that.

So today, I show up boldly not because I have all the answers, but because I finally believe in the ones I do have.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’m constantly learning not just about style, but about leadership, communication, and how to build something that lasts.

One book that shifted how I approach business and management is “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek. It helped me realize that people don’t just buy what you do, they buy why you do it. That insight became foundational to how I built Fresh Start. I don’t just style men, I guide them through transformation. That clarity changed the way I lead my team, speak to my clients, and present the brand.

Another key influence is Brunello Cucinelli, not just his designs, but his philosophy. He’s built a brand rooted in dignity, craftsmanship, and human connection. Reading about his journey reminded me that style is spiritual; it’s intimate, intentional, and deeply human. That idea is woven into every consultation and every suit I pull.

And honestly, I take a lot from real life. I’ve learned just as much from watching my clients, executives, athletes, and creatives as I have from books. Observing how they move through success, pressure, and reinvention. It teaches me how to serve them better. It sharpens my strategy.

I believe leaders are readers, but they’re also observers. I stay inspired by staying curious.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freshstartimageconsulting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshstartimage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freshstartimage/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickalewisstylist/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Freshstartimage
• Youtube: @FreshStartImageConsulting
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-start-image-consulting

Image Credits

Victor Harris
L. J. Hill