Author Madelyn Hook
Lehr gives readers some insight to her passion for her small business, daily routine, and more:
Q: What inspired you to start your own business focused on lifestyle, hospitality, and organization?
Lehr: I am Phoenix, Arizona-based lifestyle expert and organizational specialist with a passion for refined style. Through an authentic approach, I built a business dedicated to living more with less, bringing together joy and creativity for a healthy relationship with design that is stylish, functional, and clutter less. As a child, I spent countless hours decorating my dollhouse, and I grew that labor of love into a passionate career with a style that was influenced by my geography – living on both coasts and in the southwest – I mix contemporary styles with a dash of tradition.
My company, Leslie Lehr Living, is inspired by my values: I guide my clients by finding beauty in order, living simply with a pop of personality and creating systems that allow for sustainability and living with less.
Q: When did your passion for organizing and decorating begin?
Lehr: I spent my time as a child decorating and organizing my dollhouse. That passion for creating beautiful aesthetics and order was always something I had growing up. I was fortunate to have parents that renovated houses and invited me to attend planning meetings, shopping trips, and site tours. I learned at an early age the feeling of fulfillment and joy when one’s surroundings are changed from drab to fab.
My parents encouraged my passion for design and order by giving me the freedom to decorate each one of my rooms. They empowered me to assist with design decisions at an early age. I remember when I was in high school, and my father asked me to make the final decision on ceramic tile that would be installed on a large renovation project. Each one of these little experiences molded my desire to create my passion into a career.
Q: What are some ways you juggle being a mother, wife, friend, and small business owner with ease?
Lehr: The balancing act between being a mother, wife, daughter, friend, small business owner, and involved in the community is not graceful, however it is the most satisfying way of life for me. An organized system is how I am able to keep my priorities in order. I document every activity in my calendar from business, personal, my family, and more. As a small business owner, it is easy to work 24/7 and feel as if you still have not caught up.
I have learned to ask for help when I realize I cannot do it alone. Having incredible interns have been truly valuable for my business along with trusted team members like Alice.
While I am proud to be an entrepreneur and involved in my community, it is my role as wife, mom, daughter, and friend that I am most proud of. It is important that my family and friends come first before my business and community commitments.
While it might not be easy to reschedule, politely decline an invitation, or realize it is time to take a pause, there is nothing more important for me than being available to my family and friends.
Q: What does a typical day in your life look like for you?
Lehr: To best answer this question, I will share what my day is like today.
5:30 a.m. – Is the time my alarm is set each morning. Today I hit snooze a few times to get a little extra sleep. We had a busy weekend with Homecoming festivities, a football game, and soccer tournament.
6:30 a.m.- I practiced yoga and did a trail run.
7:30 a.m. – I get showered and dressed for a full day of content creation and filming.
8:30 a.m. – My assistant Alice arrives, and we review the action items needed to be completed for the day while I get makeup applied for filming.
9:15 a.m. – I dial into Zencastr, a link to gain access to the “Sustainable Minimalist” Podcast I will be filming as a guest.
9:30 a.m. – The host, Stephanie Seferian, joins Zencastr and runs through the agenda. It was an honor to be a guest on this podcast because the host is amazing, and it is ranked #17 in Home and Garden on Apple Podcasts. “Sustainable Minimalist” helps listeners create sustainable systems in their home. It is a perfect platform for my national Leslie Lehr Living launch. The show receives over 17,000 listeners per episode and reaches my target audience of busy moms looking to create beauty and order in their homes.
10:45 a.m. – We wrap up on the podcast and get caught up on a few high priority text messages and emails.
11 a.m. – I completed an urgent article for Woman’s World magazine, “How to Create a Stylish and Cozy Fall Living Room Simply.” This request was sent over the weekend with a 24 hour deadline. The news was shared as my first article for Woman’s World will go live on 10/3 about autumn tablescapes. The editor was impressed by my article and asked me to write another for fall. Woman’s World is a magazine centered on today’s active women focusing on the mind, body, and spirit, as well as food, affordable fashion, craft ideas and home decorating. The magazine is circulated to 1.6 million readers nationwide. This will be a great audience for my brand to expand nationally.
Noon – I submitted my article to my publicist along with photos. Alice and I get caught up on the items she completed for the content shoot we are filming in the afternoon. It is a collaboration project for lifestyle brand, Jo Malone, in honor of their signature autumn fragrance. The name of the fragrance is English Pear and Freesia which I will showcase and style with the 30 pears we purchased.
12:30 p.m. – Eat lunch at my desk while working on the November Scout Guide Phoenix & Scottsdale newsletter article on how to entertain for the holidays featuring six of the Scout Guide members.
2:30 p.m. – Selfcare appointment for a manicure because my hands will be shot in the afternoon. This is one of my least favorite activities that I must do for my work. It takes us time and prevents me from using my hands for 45 minutes.
3:45 p.m. – Film Jo Malone collaboration for English Pear and Freesia by setting the table with timeless china and table accessories. The goal is to create a lifestyle experience and inspiration for the fall season.
5:00 p.m. – Review photos and video captured from the shoot.
6:00 p.m. – Prepare dinner for my family along with packing my daughter’s school lunch and feeding the dogs. We traditionally eat dinner at 6:30 pm as a family, this is our time to get caught up and share stories about the day.
7:00 p.m. – Send my daughter off to soccer practice and try to enjoy a little down time before bed.
9:30 p.m. – Begin to get the dogs ready for bedtime, run the dishwasher, and head to bed.
Q: As a lifestyle influencer and “go-to girlfriend,” what type of life do you hope to inspire your audience to live?
Lehr: I am passionate about helping clients and inspiring, the modern-day superwoman live her best life with les(s). I share Tidy Tips, simple solutions, sustainable practices, and beautiful aesthetics on social media, TV, and publications. As the “Go To” girlfriend I help superwomen win at home, work, and play by living more with Les(s).