A Tour Of The Inspired By This Offices

A pair of great skinny jeans, leopard flats, the perfect matte red lipstick—these are just a few of Leila Lewis’s favorite things. Founder and editor in chief of Inspired By This, Leila has an intuitive eye for spot-on style and a business-savvy brain. It’s no wonder she’s taken the digital world by storm! Welcome to the glitter-filled offices of Inspired By This!

Photography: Valorie Darling

What tips can you give to women aspiring to succeed in your field?
-Be patient—sites take time to grow.
-Put in your time. New sites will pop up every day, but what will set you apart is your experience.
-Stay fresh—don’t be afraid to switch things up, try new content, work with new people. It keeps your readers coming back for more! If you feature the same people over and over, you’re leaving no room for growth.

What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job?
The biggest challenge is handing over some control to my team. Recognizing I can’t do it all myself, and trusting others to help. The most rewarding part is when we meet people at events and, when we tell them we run IBT, hear them say, “Oh my gosh, I LOVE that site! I read it every day!” It always feels good to know people are reading and enjoying all of our hard work.

On a daily basis, what inspires you?
My family! My husband encourages me to keep hard working at what I love, and my daughter inspires me to create work I’m really proud of. I want her to know she can do anything she puts her mind to.

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Cook a homemade meal, enjoy a glass of wine and catch up on the newest episodes of “The Good Wife” and “Scandal.”

Minted Prints 

Would you say you have a variety of décor styles, or do you tend to stick to one style or theme?
I’d say a variety! I can appreciate the simplicity of neutrals—my home has a lot of white, gold and grey—but I also love color! Our office is full of bright pinks, green and yellow. We like to keep things new and fresh, so we’re always swapping out pillows, prints, magazine covers. It’s always changing!

Where do you go to look for inspiration?
I still love magazines! Martha Stewart, Real Simple and even Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware catalogs are my go-to when I’m feeling the need to make changes at home or in the office.

Who are your biggest style icons, and why?
Blake Lively: She has a glamour and a grace about her style—it always appears effortless and accessible but is so chic. I just want and need every gown and jeans/blazer/scarf combo I see her in!

Kate Middleton: Although she tends to dress quite conservatively as the Duchess, I do love to emulate many elements of her style (just without the price tag!).

What staples should every woman have in her closet?
A pair of great skinny jeans, leopard flats and a camel-brown purse. Oh, and a really great matte red lipstick.