What makes me the ISH is that I bet on me. I am motivated by doubters and don’t let them stop me. Sure, I’m human so I have hard days just like everyone else, but I keep going and keep believing in myself.
Corey Lewis
Corey, tell us about yourself.
I’m Corey Lewis. Husband, father, and serial entrepreneur. Originally from Chicago Illinois, I grew up in a family of go-getters. My uncle was my first mentor and model for entrepreneurship. I saw firsthand the ups and downs of owning your own business and was immediately drawn to it. As a result, I have been a real estate investor for over 21 years and have branched out to owning additional businesses including a barber college and a media company.
What has been your biggest accomplishment and why?
My biggest accomplishment is relocating to Texas. My wife and I took a huge leap of faith. We came out here without jobs, community, or a plan but felt led to come here and it’s been a huge blessing.
Chicago was good to us but knowing that we came to a place where no one knew us and created something beautiful is my greatest accomplishment to date.
If someone asked you, who are you, and what do you stand for, what would you say?
I am a big thinker, dreamer, and DOER! I stand for getting things done. I’m the type of person that will always get things done.
Where do you see your brand/business/passion in the next 5 years?
Real Estate is my first love and where my passion lies. In the next five years, I would to triple my rental portfolio and own at least 159 units. I would also like to expand to development and multi-family.
I also want to see my two sons become more involved in our business. Right now, my 22-year-old son works alongside me and I’m grooming him to run the business. I hope that in the next five years, he will be fully operational to allow me to focus on my creative efforts.
What advice would you give a young man that you were mentoring?
Go to bed early. Do what you don’t feel like doing when you don’t feel like doing it. Put your head down and work. Stay focused and worry about your own grass. Always stay a student and find a mentor ASAP.
Corey, you are the first man to be featured in She is the Ish Magazine Dallas, so we really want to know, what makes you the ISH?
What makes me the ISH is that I bet on me. I am motivated by doubters and don’t let them stop me. Sure, I’m human so I have hard days just like everyone else, but I keep going and keep believing in myself.
I’m 1 of 1. Just like you are 1 of 1. I am so loved that God knows the number of hairs on my head and predestined my journey before I started in it. All I have to do is walk in it and trust him.
Rosemary Lewis
Rosemary, tell us about yourself.
My name is Rosemary Lewis, and I am a mother, wife, real estate broker, and most importantly lover of Jesus Christ. My husband and I relocated to Texas eight years ago honestly in pursuit of happiness. What we have gained is much more than I expected. The has not been easy at all but it’s been an amazing journey.
Since relocating, I changed careers leaving elementary education to pursue real estate. Now am the team lead of The Rosemary Lewis Group and host The Real Estate Bestie Podcast and cohost Eagle Talk with Team Lewis with my husband Corey.
We have two sons Corey and Cameron.
Where do you see your brand/business/passion in the next 5 years?
Goodness, I wish that I had a crystal ball and could tell you for sure. I’m really praying about it now, but I know that God is moving me towards ministry, I’m just not sure of the exact capacity. I know that I love helping people unlock their potential to see what’s possible for their lives. I love coaching, speaking, and teaching. I would love to do that globally.
My passion is and will always be people. I want to help and impact as many people as possible. That may be through being the resource that will get them to homeownership or the guide to help them build the life and business of their dreams. I want to help get people unstuck and ready to do the work of living their very best lives.
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
Definitely grief. I have lost many close people in my life, and it’s stopped me in my tracks. It’s tough to build with a broken heart. But that brokenness has given me the capacity to be empathetic to others and love them well. I don’t think that I will ever overcome the pain that I feel but my experiences drive me to stay on the assignment God has given me.
What advice would you give another young woman?
You are doper than you think you are. God has gifted you with a unique set of gifts and experiences and you are enough. Stop doubting yourself, get to know your creator, and embrace his creation, YOU!
Anyone that follows you, knows that you share daily messages of inspiration, what message is on your heart to share right now?
Right now, living out what I speak. The past few years have been heavy and, in many ways, tried to silence me. I’m balancing between honoring my grief season and building what God is calling me to build.
This is the She is the Ish magazine, so tell me, what makes you the ISH?
I’m 1 of 1. Just like you are 1 of 1. I am so loved that God knows the number of hairs on my head and predestined my journey before I started in it. All I have to do is walk in it and trust him.
Corey and Rosemary on their relationship…
Tell us, how did the two of you meet?
We met in high school. Corey attended an all-boys catholic school, and I went to a track meet where he was running. Initially, we weren’t interested in each other but met again a few months later at a party. That was the fall of 1995. We have been together (minus a few months) ever since.
What was it about each other that you knew, this person would not only be good in life but good in business?
I don’t know that we knew that as kids. We just liked each other and that’s one thing that we appreciate so much about God. Even when we didn’t know what to even look for in a mate, he aligned our paths and knew how he would use us.
Years into dating, we recognized a hustler spirit in each other and that was intriguing. It wasn’t until after we were married that we realized how our gifts complimented each other in business.
How has being married assisted in the growth of your business/businesses?
Having someone who ‘gets’ it has been everything. We both have businesses outside of each other. It’s difficult to understand the ebb and flow of entrepreneurship unless you are an entrepreneur. We get how tough it is.
We will also bring different skill sets and experiences and benefit from each other. Corey is a visionary and great at negotiating. I am a natural at leading teams and creating culture. We learn from each other’s strengths.
How do you manage to balance life, love, and business?
Time Blocking! If it’s not on our schedule it doesn’t exist.
How do you really feel about entrepreneurship?
It’s not for the faint of heart and looks WAY easier than it really is. But we also believe that it is the best way for us to build time and financial freedom. It has also been the vehicle that God has used us to bless others.
You have children, how does entrepreneurship affect them? How do you make sure that they are included and that they are set up properly for the future?
Our kids have walked more houses than they can count. We make sure that they have a front-row seat to entrepreneurship and are very transparent about the ups and downs. They see the sacrifice, but they also reap the benefits.
What advice would you give another married couple that seeks to be in business with each other?
Pray! It’s NOT for the faint of heart. Corey and I found out quickly that we have very different views on how to approach business and every day is a learning curve. It’s important to identify each other’s strengths and responsibilities and create clear guidelines on how you will approach your business ventures.
Make sure to set boundaries so that your marriage doesn’t become a business deal. Prioritize the relationship over everything else. And take your time.
Where is your favorite place to go in DFW?
Probably our house. We love being home and hanging out in our own space.
Next, we are huge fans of checking out new restaurants in Legacy West and The Star in Frisco. Our current fave is Snowbird.
How can people get in contact with you? What’s up next for you?
They can stay in contact with us at www.Eagletalkpodcast.com
Up next, we are hosting our annual conference Eagle Talk Live on October 2023.
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