Chandler Lewis is a dynamic entrepreneur, visionary leader, and passionate advocate for inclusive innovation. As the founder of 360 Social Impact Studios, he has made it his mission to empower underrepresented founders by providing them with the mentorship, tools, and community they need to thrive. From starting his first business in high school to running multiple ventures today, Chandler’s story is a testament to purpose-driven leadership and impactful growth. Humans of Fuzia is proud to feature Chandler, whose efforts are closely aligned with our mission to uplift global voices and empower women through community and collaboration. With over 5 million members, we continue to promote a She for She and He for She ethos—values that Chandler lives by in his inclusive work.
Chandler, tell us a bit about your entrepreneurial journey. Where did it all begin?
I’ve been entrepreneurial from a young age. In high school, I was already running a small business. Later, during my second year of college, I purchased a youth sports franchise—TGA Premier Youth Sports. That was my first real business experience, and I credit my parents for encouraging me to take the leap. The franchise model helped me learn business operations without having to build everything from scratch. We grew the business to over 65 locations before I sold it in 2016.
How did your journey evolve after that?
After selling the franchise, I managed an assisted living and memory care facility while completing my master’s at Johns Hopkins. That experience deepened my understanding of leadership. Later, I returned to the University of Washington’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, where I saw how often underrepresented founders lacked access to the support they needed. That’s what led me to start 360 Social Impact Studios.
What is 360 Social Impact Studios, and what makes it unique?
It began as a volunteer-driven initiative and has grown into an innovation and consulting firm, and a venture studio. We help underrepresented entrepreneurs navigate the startup landscape with programs, mentorship, and funding support. We even launched Enough Ventures, a fund specifically focused on inclusive investment. Today, I’m involved in several ventures—around six or seven—including Lifelens, Limus, and others we’ve spun out from 360.
That’s impressive. How is your organization structured today?
We’ve built a team of about 15 people, including a board, advisors, and several collaborators. We also work with partner organizations and experts who help us deliver programs like “Innovate with Kolbe,” which uses cognitive assessment tools, and “How to Sell Nothing,” a sales coaching initiative. Our goal is to offer founders not only funding support but also practical tools to thrive—whether it’s developing decision-making skills or learning the language of venture capital.
Are there any upcoming programs or initiatives you’re particularly excited about?
Yes! We’re launching our Compass learning series this summer. It’s a weekly session running from July to September featuring global experts from companies like Google, Amazon, and GenIP. These sessions will cover everything from AI and innovation to measuring social impact and building inclusive teams. It’s designed to equip founders with actionable knowledge, all through the lens of social good.
What’s the core value that drives you in your work?
At the heart of everything we do is community. 360 Social Impact Studios is open to anyone. We value diversity and global collaboration because we believe that’s where real innovation happens. We’re here to help people embed social impact into the core of their businesses—because purpose and profit can absolutely go hand in hand.
“Our strength lies in our diversity. When we build spaces that are inclusive and intentional, we create real, lasting impact.” — Chandler Lewis
Connect with Chandler Lewis
Website: www.360socialventures.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chandler-lewis
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at: fuziatalent@fuzia.com