Women Business Owners Who Are Making a Difference: Meet Aicilia Lewis

Aicila Lewis believes in building a world where business doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being. As the founder of BiCurean Consulting, she helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs and solopreneurs create systems that work with their energy, not against it, redefining success with a model rooted in sustainability, alignment, and impact.

With a background in LGBTQ+ advocacy and years of experience leading community organizations, Aicila brings a unique, values-centered approach to her work. Her framework, The Energy Equation™, invites entrepreneurs to cultivate time, money, and energy in equal measure so they can scale without burnout and thrive without compromise.

In this feature, Aicila shares her journey from community leadership to business ownership, the inspiration behind her consulting practice, and the radical power of doing business differently.

Lynn Davey: Tell me a little about yourself! Where are you from, and what inspires you every day?

Aicila Lewis: It feels corny to say, and I am inspired by who I work with and what I get to do. I believe there are more people in the world who want to create thriving communities that take care of everyone and I get to interact with folks regularly who walk that walk.

LD: How would you describe your business in one sentence?

AL: Teaching entrepreneurs how to build businesses that thrive while they do.

LD: What does your business do, and who do you serve?

AL: I help entrepreneurs and solopreneurs build businesses that are sustainable, effective, and aligned with their values and energy. The core of this work is the Energy Equation™: Time + Money + Energy = Sustainable Success.

I teach folks how to manage, cultivate, and invest not just time and money, but also their essential business energy, which is broken down into three types: Creative Energy, Connection Energy, and Momentum Energy. My speciality is on designing personalized systems and strategies that work with a client’s natural rhythms, strengths, and values, rather than against them. This helps my clients avoid burnout, reclaim their time and freedom, and achieve success on their own terms.

I offer customized business strategies, process consulting, and resource management, all viewed through the lens of the Energy Equation. Offerings range from focused strategy sessions (like the Energy Boost Session and Energy Map) to more in-depth process consultations (like Energy Systems: Scaling Without Burning Out) and intensives (Energy Alignment Intensive). BiCurean also utilizes frameworks like the RESOURCE System for building sustainable businesses.

In addition to one-on-one work and workshops focused on the Energy Equation, BiCurean Consulting also provides The Collective Classroom. This is a shared e-learning space designed to support practical, people-first education for global small businesses, creative leaders, and communities. It’s a platform for educators, small businesses, and community-led organizations to host and share their educational offerings in an accessible and collaborative way, with features like privacy walls and course setup support.

LD: What inspired you to start your business, and what was the moment you knew this was the path for you?

AL: There isn’t a moment I can point to – a few things converged at once to inspire this for me.

After 13 years of running two LGBTQ community centers, I realized that I was really good at this AND that I wanted to expand beyond LGBTQ efforts. I saw an opportunity to create more impactful results by using those skills to support multiple organizations – both for impact and for profit businesses.

My children were also leaving the nest and I wanted more control over my time than I had serving in a community position. Being able to travel to spend time with them and also do my job is a deeply joyful benefit.

LD: What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your industry or the work you do?

AL: It’s not for everyone. I love the freedom I have and it has its constraints. Loving what I do also means I have had to learn how to stop working so I don’t burn myself out. IE- take my own advice. You have to be able to set your own goals and boundaries and keep to them. And know how to say no and yes in ways that are clear and self- respecting.

LD: What do you love most about running your business?

AL: It’s a tie between getting to use the skills I’ve honed over the years and bring that knowledge and experience to a variety of industries and the opportunity to support people I respect and admire doing incredible things in the world.

LD: How does your business make a difference, either in your community, industry, or for your clients?

AL: The biggest difference I make is reminding people to be “the CEO of their own well-being”. We need business to be a force for good in the world. And it starts with you- as the leader, the solopreneur- you cannot do good from a place of self-exploitation. And that’s the model we are handed and have honed. I disrupt that and then watch people thrive and soar. I also give a set amount of free workshops and client spots away each year to help people that wouldn’t otherwise have access to this kind of support.

LD: Are there any causes or organizations you support that align with your mission?

AL: They are woven into my daily tasks and approach. I don’t think we have a separate ‘activist’ space of creation- instead how we do the work informs our outcomes. I have strong ties to LGBTQ+ and Environmental Justice groups. I trained in the Post Growth Entrepreneurship program and I dedicate project hours to causes that align through support of small business owners or efforts.

LD: What’s one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a business owner, and how did you overcome it?

AL: Taking the leap to this being a full-time endeavor was terrifying. Knowing that all business is run by humans just figuring it out and accepting I too am that human was challenging.

LD: What’s a piece of advice you’d share with another woman who is thinking about starting her own business?

AL: Trust yourself first. Before you look for tools, outside knowledge, other advice – learn how to listen to your unique voice and trust that. If you look for anyone first, look for someone that holds that space for you. Pay yourself first, always. And hire experts – pay for someone that knows the business or the area you need the most support in. Yes, you can get an $8 an hour VA and, if you need a social media campaign, look for someone who understands social media and your voice and invest in that.

LD: Coffee or tea? How do you take it?

AL: Black and in a beautiful cup or mug.

LD: If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing instead?

AL: My other dream in life was to start a foundation to support for-impact businesses to create systems and sustainability for their staff. So much is lost to burnout and, honestly, extracting from the people in the non profit sector. Building better support for the staff and tangible benefits will make them more effective and more sustainable.

LD: Where can people find you or learn more about your business?

AL: You can find me at BiCurean.com and @BiCurean on most social media platforms, but I’m most active on LinkedIn.

LD: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

AL: There is a lot of messaging designed to drive us to be other than we are. Find people who support you wholeheartedly in your vision and goals. Those are the people that cheer you on AND tell you when you need to take a beat. And be that person for a couple of people in your life. Life is a team sport- and so is business (to quote my amazing colleague, Peggy McCartha). Having good friends on the journey makes all the difference.

Thriving Without Burning Out

Aicila Lewis reminds us that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of ourselves and that the most impactful businesses are often built with intention, empathy, and energy that’s wisely invested. Through BiCurean Consulting and her commitment to sustainable strategies, Aicila is changing the way entrepreneurs approach growth, proving that alignment and ambition are not mutually exclusive.

Her story is a powerful example of what’s possible when we lead with purpose, trust our own voice, and build businesses that support both people and progress. Whether she’s mentoring solopreneurs, teaching the Energy Equation™, or hosting her podcast Business as UNusual, Aicila is creating space for a different kind of success… one rooted in values, vitality, and meaningful connection.

Know another inspiring woman business owner who should be featured? Send me an email! I’d love to share more stories like Aicila’s.