Today we’d like to introduce you to Lena Lindsay.
Born in Queens, NY, of Jamaican and British parents. Lena brings energy and passion to everything she does. With over 20 years of business experience including the music industry and overseeing daily operations and restaurant openings for PepsiCo and Yum! Brands, Lena is a mother who wants to share her love of food by giving back to the community. Her daughter is her inspiration to do what she loves (and for the SKYE CAFÉ logo).
Lena is a unique individual in the business world. Lena has been fortunate enough to have both the creative and management talents necessary to achieve the level of success needed in a global business environment today. Lena like other members of her family is both creative and entrepreneurial. Her two sisters are both a business owner, Linda Lindsay is an interior designer and Leslie Lindsay is a fashion designer.
She is an experienced business manager with over 13 years management experience inclusive of Profit & Loss for companies like Brueton Industries, Pepsi Co, New York Academy of Medicine, and her own company Gelz Management 2000, Inc. In addition to being employed full time, Lena has served part-time as an Administrator for one of her sister’s companies, Design Schemes At Home, Inc. She set up all policies and procedures, worked with the President and all design consultants, personnel and vendors, and negotiated contracts in addition to implementing office procedures.
Her love and passion is the music industry. She started out in the music industry as a manager for the three girls R&B group, Her Sanity. Working and developing the group and Assisting in signing them to a major record deal with Universal/Motown Records and Noble Entertainment. In her capacity as manager of the group she was responsible for developing all aspects of their career, production of their album, video production, marketing strategy, contract negotiation and financial reporting.
Lena is also the manager of J Starr, a male R&B solo artist and co-manager of Rowdy Rohz, a new rap artist on Queen Latifia’s Label, The Flava Unit. Her primary responsibilities for these artists include Public Relations and Image Management, creating opportunities for media interviews and appearances, assisting in the creation of marketing strategies and negotiating any record label or production deals for J Starr through meetings with record labels, producers, and A&R executives. Lena also determines what are the best opportunities for showcasing the artist she manages, whether it is a concert, fundraising event, or other cross-marketing media events.
She is one of three siblings born of Jamaican and British parents Sydney and Doris Lindsay, raised in Queens, New York. She attended John Jay School of criminal justice where she majored in Criminal Justice and minored in Human Behavioral Studies. She held internships at City Hall working for City Council Member Robert Dreyfus and worked one year in the Department of Investigations prior to pursuing her passion and further developing her business management skills. She is single and enjoys hobbies such as dance inclusive of ballet, jazz, tap, kick line, and is an avid horseback rider.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have been given so many amazing opportunities and with them came some pretty tuff challenges, but I welcomed them. I always felt like when times are hard or things don’t always go your way it was only to make you stronger.
The biggest Challenge for me is being a Single Mom. My daughter inspires me to be the best that I can be and everyday, I work to inspire her. That would be my perfect world!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Skye Cafe story. Tell us more about the business.
Building upon the idea of “America is a melting pot”, SKYE CAFÉ is a celebration of American comfort food that is derived from many cultures. We offer you home-cooked flavors that remind them of the tastes and smells you grew up with while adding a gourmet and healthy twist.
We at Skye Cafe Inc. have been inspired by Ellen DeGeneres call to share an act of kindness. Skye Cafe wants to be a part of a long-term social change within the community. Mentoring has become a lost art. Having benevolent counsel is still very important. Having a Mentor offers an easier, better and more focused path. Mentors can offer insight that only experience can teach. We at Skye Cafe are setting out on a mission to create and become a part of already established Mentorship Programs and have created the Lil Chefs Corner to inspire and support lil Chefs of Houston.
We will offer a hands-on approach and be actively involved in giving time to teaching and leadership training. Offering Encouragement, Honesty and help to highlight Strengths and Weaknesses by working with the Youth to believe that “Skye’s the Limit” when it comes to believing in their dreams and accomplishing goals.
It’s time to bring back the action of just being kind and Supportive of one another.
In 2017, I have joined with two other Women in the Food Truck Industry to form Women’s Food Truck Organization.
It is another extension of what my company stands for, we have joined together to create Innovative Programs and Provide Educational Support to Food Truck Owners. We also cooperate in Community Services and pair up with other organizations to enrich the lives of all.
What stands out the most is being laid off after working for a Company for 10 years. When it initially happened, I felt lost but it quickly turned into motivation. It fueled me to Start my own Company and allowed me to spend more time with my daughter.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.skye-cafe.com
- Phone: 832-674-6363
- Email: whatsup@skye-cafe.com
- Instagram: skyecafe
- Facebook: skyecafe
- Twitter: skyecafe
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
