From Hustle to Harmony: Lessons from Lenny Bazemore on Building Boldly and Living Artfully

When Lenny Bazemore talks, the room gets quiet. Not because he demands attention—but because he commands respect. Real recognize real. And Lenny is as real as they come.

In our latest Vivant Vlog episode, I sat down with Lenny—visionary, academically trained artist, real estate mogul, proud husband, philanthropist, and unapologetically Black entrepreneur. What I thought would be a conversation about art and business turned into a full-on spirit check. We went from legacy and land ownership to love, masculinity, trauma healing, financial literacy, and the real cost of doing the work.

We laughed, we reflected, and at one point, I just let him flow. Because sometimes, when someone is dropping gold, your only job is to get quiet and receive.

This episode is for the builders. The pivoteers. The artists and executives who are making life happen one bold decision at a time. And for those of us doing it with soul.

Here are 5 lessons Lenny dropped that hit deep and deserve to be framed:

1. Divine detours are still part of the path.

Lenny walked away from industry fame more than once—not because he lacked the talent, but because he refused to sell his spirit. He turned down rooms that didn’t align with his peace. And you know what happened? He built his own table. Sometimes choosing alignment is the win.

2. Design your life like a gallery wall.

No college degree? No problem. Lenny built multiple businesses, opened galleries, became a collector and creator—on his terms. Every chapter was curated with intention. Every move, a brushstroke. You don’t need approval to make your life beautiful. You just need vision and audacity.

3. Be the catch you’re trying to catch.

Whew. When we touched on relationships, Lenny got honest. His take: stop romanticizing brokenness. If you want partnership, you better show up healed or healing. And men? Work on your femininity as much as your masculinity. Balance is what builds homes, not bravado.

4. Wealth is strategy, not salary.

Lenny broke down his journey to financial independence—from scraping together startup funds to buying a $4.8M home in cash. He and his wife Teresa made a pact early on: reach $5M net worth together. They moved with discipline, intention, and faith. Oh—and they got a billionaire family office to take them on with just $1.2M in assets because character opens doors that money can’t.

5. Legacy means giving without the photo op.

This one got me. Lenny and Teresa donated $1M to Habitat for Humanity to buy 10 homes for families of color in his hometown. They feed 100+ families every year. They don’t wait for praise—they just do the work. Because legacy isn’t what you leave behind—it’s what you plant while you’re still here.

We also talked art as spiritual currency. Why he buys pieces he loves—not just for their value, but to support the artist’s journey. And how building wealth isn’t about flexing, it’s about freedom: the freedom to invest in your people, your community, and yourself.

From investing in AI and iced coffee brands, to writing a country song in Bali and jumping into the pool after publishing his book—Lenny reminds us that success isn’t linear. It’s alive. You grow it. You bend with it. You live into it.

And if you haven’t heard his story yet? You’re missing the blueprint.

✦ What To Do Now:

• Watch the full episode. Your spirit, business, and heart will thank you.

• Share it with someone building boldly. Especially someone who needs a reminder that their story is worth telling.

• Support Lenny. Follow his work. Buy his book. Be in community with people who are choosing legacy on purpose.

Because this isn’t just about business. This is about living artfully, building with intention, and loving out loud.

🎥 Watch now: [Insert video link]

🖤 Support Lenny Bazemore: [Insert IG, website, or book link]