Leslie Bailey has built an incredible community for people who want to uplift women's voices. After launching Indy Maven, she and her team created Maven Space: a coworking space, social club, and event venue in downtown Indianapolis. Raised outside of Detroit, Michigan, Leslie grew up with a hairstylist mother and a father who worked in the auto racing industry for over 60 years. The profound impact of both parents battling cancer throughout her childhood and adolescence shaped Leslie's approach to life and her determination to build supportive communities.
Leslie has been a writer throughout her professional career, working at esteemed publications such as The Saturday Evening Post, Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Monthly, and AAA Crossroads Magazine, before starting Indy Maven in 2019. In our conversation with Leslie, we explore her journey, the art of storytelling in entrepreneurship, effective social media strategies, and the process of launching Indy Maven. Leslie also shares insights on building a strong community and mastering vulnerability.
