Lesley Morphy, founder of This is Lester, has built a brand that beautifully blends style and intention, creating immersive experiences for her clients and their guests that are truly unforgettable. Known for her commitment to unique design and handcrafted details - her innovative approach to her events has earned Lesley recognition for being a leader in her field.
As a passionate entrepreneur, Lesley’s journey reflects her dedication to creating a positive impact for her clients, those who participate in her events, and most importantly in the corporate culture she creates for those she works with.
Lesley Morphy at Product Launch Event for Jessica Alba's The Honest Company
I’m excited to share this inspiring Q&A with Lesley Morphy, Founder of This is Lester, in celebration of Women's Entrepreneurship Day 2024!
Q: Did you always dream of running an Experiential Marketing Agency, or did your path to entrepreneurship take some unexpected twists? Can you even go to school for something this cool?
A: My journey was organic. I began as an interior designer in downtown Toronto with the Design Agency (formerly Precipice Studios) who specialized in hotel interiors after graduating from Ryerson University (now TMU). Young and looking to live in New York City, I moved there with a hockey bag of clothes, a thousand bucks, and big dreams. I started working in set design, which evolved into creating backstage experiences—what we now call Experiential Marketing. I loved all the aspects of events, the pace and the details and I loved bringing that together as fully immersive experiences for people.
Q: Was there an aha moment that led you start This is Lester ?
A: It seems I had a knack for it - and I found myself being hired by people I had met along the way. The first project I did on my own was with J-Lo and Secret, called “Secret Star Search”. As teams and brands began trusting me, I met the moment and This is Lester grew from there. I had a clear intention that I wanted to keep creating these impactful, beautiful experiences.
Q: What would you say defines This is Lester?
A:
Our North Star has always been creating beautiful, thoughtfully designed experiences.
We’re all about exceeding expectations, surprising and delighting our clients and guests by pushing the envelope. Whether it’s an event or digital experience, we pour our passion into every detail, ensuring the experience is as memorable as possible. And we have fun doing it!
Q: What’s been one of your proudest achievements?
A: I'm proud of all of our events - but feedback from one stands out. We planned a multi-day experience for VVIP clients in hospitality for our client in Luxury home-goods and guests said it was “the best event they’d ever attended". Hearing that from industry veterans (they go to MANY events!) was incredibly rewarding. It validated all the intentional decisions we made—events are a series of deliberate details, both big and small—and knowing our efforts paid off is a deeply rewarding feeling.
Q: What are your goals for This is Lester moving forward?
A: I want to scale our team and projects, but my biggest goal is to continue to build a lasting, inspiring company culture.
Events and running an agency are demanding, but creating a culture that people want to be part of takes a lot of intentionality.
But boots on the ground - I would love to do a artful pop-up installation that activates across public parks globally!
Q: What challenges have you faced, and how have you navigated them?
A: I hope we never face another pandemic and I think it was the ultimate challenge for almost every business, but now I know, This is Lester (and myself!) have the tenacity to make it through anything. As we all know, there was no playbook so I had to lean into my entrepreneurial instinct and the ability to adapt to survive, and then later thrive. Honestly, it was an exercise in mastering my mind and my thoughts.
Also, as an entrepreneur, I’ve had to become a “Jill of all trades,” managing every department—from finance to operations to hiring, and, of course, focusing on what I’m naturally good at: the creative side. I’ve learned the importance of balancing the many hats you wear and trusting my gut to know where and when to allocate resources.
Q: How has VOOMcart been useful in your work and life?
A: VOOMcart has been a game-changer! In my personal life, it lets me run errands on foot in a city like LA, where walking isn’t easy. Plus, it even helped me smuggle my little dog Charley into Whole Foods (he wasn’t exactly a fan of being left behind!). Professionally, it’s perfect for moving supplies on set—it fills a gap that larger dollies just can’t, especially when we’re handling delicate props.
Q: Lastly, any thoughts on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day?
A: I think it’s so important to create opportunities for women to thrive in careers they love, especially as a women-owned business.
At This is Lester, we’re committed to empowering women and supporting those who want to stay in or return to their careers. It’s vital for women to have a voice in society, be leaders, and inspire change.
Thank you, Lesley, for your insights and inspiration!
