Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Michelle Lewis. From a Fine Arts degree to Principal at The Capstreet Group, Michelle's career path is all but ordinary. We discuss how she was able to turn her non-traditional background into a career in PE and also touch on personal topics familiar to many working parents, such as "Mom guilt", family dynamics, and turning "being the only one" into opportunity.

Episode Outline and Highlights

(1:15) Michelle enlightens us about how she moved from a Fine Arts degree to a career in private equity. Michelle identifies with 3 distinct phases as she reflects on her career: 1. Why not? --> a yearning for new experiences, a curious mindset and pursuit of learning and trying new things; 2. Getting a seat at the table --> pursuing an MBA and pivoting into the world of restructuring/M&A; 3. Making a conscious effort AGAIN to always learn something new --> started a new chapter within private equity.

(7:35) Did you ever have a fear of failure? Michele possesses the same "common denominator quality" as all high performing rockstars: The mentality of, "Although I might not know exactly what I am doing, I can figure it out and I'm up to the task."

(10:10) Michelle explains what the phrase, "To whom much is given, much is expected" means to her values-driven family and her belief in the importance of giving back.

(15:35) Harnessing her web of influence, Michelle explains the involvement of her childrens' friends in their acts of kindness and the impact it brings.

(18:00) Michelle discusses how she makes the family dynamic work. How she and her husband balance their executive careers and relationship. She explains her experience with "Mom guilt", the importance of letting go of your own expectations, and being ok with imperfection.

(7:00) Michelle offers advice for any woman who will be "the only woman (or man, or mother, etc) in the room", by turning around the focal point and looking at it through a different lense. Instead of viewing it as the only one at the table, one should look at it as an opportunity and privilege for that person to be in that spot and to shine and illustrate the greatness of it.

Michelle Lewis' Bio and Contact Info

Michelle Lewis is a Principal and investment committee member for a lower middle-market private equity firm in Houston. She oversees origination for the firm's investments in industrial distribution and services, software, and tech-enabled businesses. Over the course of her career, she has successfully closed several billion in cross-border public and private transactions from the Texas panhandle to Kazakhstan and been involved in many more. And most recently, she was named to Kayo's Top 21 in 21 Texas Dealmakers List.

Michelle on LinkedIn 

The CapStreet Group Website | LinkedIn

Important Causes to Michelle

GenerationServe HoustonWebsite

CareerSpring Website

Connect with Alexis Alvarez

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Alexis on email [email protected]