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19 Getting to Know You CINDY LEWIS MOTHER, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST, DECORATOR ON THE SLY, CO-OWNER LEWIS JEWELERS Cindy Lewis PAPERCITY PROMOTION Brief history of Lewis Jewelers. Lewis Jewelers was founded in 1981 by Sandy and Claude Lewis, the parents of my husband, Slade Lewis. When I was a student at the University of Houston, I began working at the store on Fridays and Saturdays. After earning my degree, I taught elementary school for several years. Slade and I married in the summer of '96, and in 1999, we joined the business full-time. In 2011, we took over the helm. One year later, we opened our dream store in Clear Lake. Five years ago, we had the opportunity to expand to Uptown Park. It's the best of the retail world. We have the strength of a big store and the intimacy of a boutique. Describe your perfect day. It starts with a vanilla latte and breakfast with my family. Then, walking my miniature schnauzer Lucy and hitting the shops with my daughter. Meeting up with friends for Mexican food for dinner is how I like to fi nish. What you collect. It's more like what don't I collect! Of course, jewelry. I'm obsessed with rose gold because of its warmth. Handbags are a passion. Personal Involvement and philanthro- pic affi liations. Education is important to me. Currently, I serve on the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation Board. My children attend FISD, and it's rewarding to support their schools. Company philanthropy. We believe in giving back to the community that has supported our business. As Slade and I matured in the business, we chose to support Texas Children's Hospital. Our son was born with kidney disease and had to be monitored for fi ve years. Through regular testing and doctor visits, I was impressed with how they catered to children and with their overall structure. This brought awareness to the dialysis unit, and we began raising money for them 13 years ago. We are honored to have the unit named after Lewis Jewelers. Today, our son is doing great and doesn't have any issues. Charitable events. We are involved in many events every year, varying from local to national charities. This year, we are heavily involved with Lunar Rendezvous Festival in the Bay Area, Sky High, Clear Creek Education Foundation, and Space Center Rotary Club. The most important way Lewis Jewelers gives back to the community. Lewis Jewelers gives back to the community through a variety of ways, but many are focused on children because they are the future. We host Girl Scouts troops, sponsor grants, and speak at schools. How to involve children early in charitable events and giving back to the community. The best way for my children was to clean out their toys and closets for donations. This way it comes from them, and they learn that we are a part of a bigger world and that it's essential to give back. Houston restaurants you can't live without. The Original Ninfa's on Navigation and El Tiempo. Your neighborhood. We live in Friendswood. It has a small- town feel, right outside a big city with traditional parades on holidays. What inspires you right now. People who go after their dreams regardless of obstacles. For instance, Brandon is a young male triathlete who is blind. We got to know him because my husband piloted him in a cycling race. His passion for racing and his desire to win were contagious. Most inspiring was the love his parents have for him. It's the everyday stories that move me. Secret skill. Interior decorating. I enjoy decorating my house, and as soon as I fi nish, I always fi nd myself caught up in a new project. New watch or jewelry brands at Lewis Jewelers this fall. Roberto Coin, Lagos, and Sheryl Lowe. Heirloom jewelry. Here's a good story. One Christmas season, Slade and I were working, and a customer asked to see my wedding ring. At the end of the day, we sold it to a friend. Of course, I upgraded my ring. Then, one Mother's Day, he surprised me by buying it back and gifting it to me again. It was very romantic. Someday it will be passed on to my daughter. FRIENDSWOOD HAS A SMALL-TOWN FEEL, RIGHT OUTSIDE A BIG CITY WITH TRADITIONAL PARADES ON HOLIDAYS. WE HOST GIRL SCOUTS TROOPS, SPONSOR GRANTS, AND SPEAK AT SCHOOLS. out their toys and closets for donations. This way it comes from them, and they learn that we are a part of a bigger world and Houston restaurants you can't live We live in Friendswood. It has a small- town feel, right outside a big city with GIRL SCOUTS