Loida Lewis chatted about her latest book “Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?: An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood, and Running a Billion Dollar Empire.”
Background on Loida Lewis
Loida Lewis is the Chair and CEO of TLC Beatrice, LLC, which is a family investment firm, holds a remarkable professional background. She is the widow of TLC Beatrice founder and CEO Reginald F. Lewis.
As an attorney, she is licensed to practice law in both the Philippines and New York. She is also a bestselling author.
Notably, Mrs. Lewis achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Asian and Filipino woman to pass the New York bar examination without having pursued legal studies in the United States.
Prior to her current position, Mrs. Lewis served as a General Attorney in the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, now known as the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, for a decade.
During her tenure, she successfully contested a discrimination case against the INS in 1979. Building on her expertise, Mrs. Lewis co-authored the widely acclaimed book “How to Get A Green Card,” which has since reached its 14th edition.
Most recently, she authored the book “Why Should Guys Have All The Fun?”
Can you tell us about your background and journey to becoming a successful businesswoman?
I was born in the Philippines of entrepreneurial parents and was raised comfortably where the habits of hard work, perseverance, ambition and faith in God were developed by me from an early age.
As one of the most influential Filipina entrepreneurs, what challenges did you face along the way and how did you overcome them?
Being Asian born and raised, in the United States I was discriminated against when the federal government agency Immigration and Naturalization Service (now known as the Citizenship and Immigration Service – CIS) did not appoint me as Attorney General. I sued and won three years back pay and became an immigration lawyer for the agency.
When I decided to take over as Chair and CEO of the billion dollar company after my husband Reginald F. Lewis died after a short illness, a shareholder suit was filed against me, the Board of Directors and the Company, we fought the suit but in the end, we settled the case to stop the enormous legal bills borne by the company.
What motivated you to write the book and what message did you aim to convey through it?
I have been promoting my late husband’s book “Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun? How Reginald F. Lewis Created a Billion Dollar Empire,” since it was published 25 years ago in 1995.
I was Chapter 6 in his book. Since I was turning 80 years old in December 2022, I asked Blair Walker who co-wrote Mr. Lewis’ book, to assist me. Wiley published my book on March 28, 2023.
My message to the readers is to take up the challenge when an opportunity is presented and not be afraid of failure. When needed, be prepared to “Ready. Aim. Fire.” One will learn the ropes as one goes along, because the opportunity may not come again.
Besides, failure, if it happens, is another name for success, as long as one learns from the failure. I believe that “everything will be alright in the end. If it is not all right, it is not the end.”
How does it feel to be an author in the digital age now with technology being so prevalent?
It is an advantage because the book can be marketed in all forms: print, digital, and audible, as well as in all social media forms: facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, etc. The author is no longer just dependent on the publisher in marketing the book.
What advice would you give to young aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, who are starting their own ventures?
My advice is to inculcate the habits of thrift, resourcefulness, determination, and faith in oneself and faith in God.
In addition, set one’s goals for one year, for five years or even 25 years and methodically plan a strategy to reach the goal by a day, a month, and a year at a time. Re-adjust the goal as the situation changes. Be flexible.
Her new book “Why Should Guys Have All The Fun?” is available on Amazon by clicking here.
