We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tori Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tori below.

Hi Tori, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I could not do this without the impact of my mother. My mother has such a soft and gentle nature. She has always allowed my brother and I, the freedom to express ourselves. She was my first introduction to a safe space. My mother instilled kindness and compassion in us. I remember growing up, she never allowed me to go to bed upset or worried. She was big on letting things go. Everything she has given couldn’t be bought with a price. My mother has always rooted for me and believed in me. She was the first person to buy an event ticket and my first shirt was sold to her. She’s one of my biggest fans! Her impact allows me to meet women from all over with an open heart, ready ear, and welcoming arms. I’m very thankful and truly blessed to have her.

Tori, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Tori Lewis. I am founder of Con-Verse and Conversation. I function as support group. My objective is to create a safe place for women, whether that be virtual, or in person. The goal is to uplift and empower as often as I can. I try to provide a meeting place for women to come together and share experiences, failures, successes, testimony and stories of hope. I tell people all the time, I gather the people and then authenticity sets us all free. I got into this business by just following my heart and the purpose God has on my life. I literally, had a birthday gathering with friends and called it Con-Verse and Conversation. I didn’t know that the “verse” part would hold so much weight in this journey. It seemed and still seems like the more verses/Bible scriptures I read the further I walk. The more I invited God into my life the more he has done for C&C. My walk with God is the only reason I’m capable of the walking a journey with Con-Verse and Conversation. What kind of human-being would volunteer to be a melting pot for pain? I know it’s Gods plan for me, because there’s no way I could carry this naturally on my own. I thought it was a little birthday idea, and God was saying—BIGGER! Now, I’m a walking encouragement and uplifter. Constantly reminding people that their hearts are beating, and that they matter. I love what I do! Praise God! None of the glory is mine. The healing that has taken place over the years, is far past my imagination.

Some of my products are personally designed inspiration tees and mask. Most recently, I’ve revamped our WOMANHOOD tee and I’ll be adding some neutral colors.

I’m most proud of NOT giving up! Sometimes when results don’t match the work you put in, or the heart behind why you do what you do, it can get discouraging. I just thank God, that I was able to see past those seasons, because so much was on the other side of discouragement. There has been so many lives tied to my purpose. I take it seriously. I want clients /supporters to know that, I am human and we’re all figuring it out. My stance isn’t proving everyday that I’m positive and happy always, it’s just that I’ve decided to choose positivity in-spite of all that I face. It takes great courage to pour into people without pay being the objective. It takes a great deal of compassion. However, I’ve received much more than I’ve ever given, and I thank God for giving me people who pour right back into me, as we journey on.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think the most helpful thing is social media. Use every tool that you have! Use what you got! When COVID came, I was still able to use the social media platforms as a way to check in with my supporters. I was able to bless others with gifts and assistance during that time. I’d also say, authenticity is gold! Authenticity makes so much room to be successful, because you’re not wasting time and energy on things that don’t matter to your passion/purpose. Truly getting to a place where you can be at peace with just simply being yourself, can change your life and the life of others. It seemed like the more I started to tell my story, it opened the door for healing myself and others.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Everybody will not be your customer, client, or audience…and that’s okay!!!! Early on, because I was a supporter and I always rooted others on, I thought I’d easily get that in return and boy was I wrong, but it’s all apart of the plan. I quickly unlearned that! You have to focus on the love and those that are engaged and create an experience for them. Make them your focal point. It doesn’t mean that those who aren’t engaged, aren’t really engaged or that perhaps they hate you. It means, not right now or maybe not for this journey. And that’s okay! We often time miss so many opportunities, too focused on where or who it’s coming from. I’m so happy I got through those feelings early on, and gained a new perspective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Conversenconversation
• Instagram: Conversenconversation
• Facebook: Converse~N~Conversation
• Twitter: CConversation
• Youtube: Con-Verse and Conversation