HerStory: Embracing Change and Challenges with Angela Lucas.

by Gabriella Traverso

Angela Lucas and I were to sit down together at TolHouse on a quiet Thursday morning. The snow was dragging everyone’s boots under, and the biting wind chills whistled over the frozen river just across the street. Walking through that front door of TolHouse, a dramatic transformation happened; the polished oakwood floors, the cabernet walls peppered with artwork, the rows of softly lit lanterns, and thriving fauna bursting around every corner, all under a pinned roof made of metal and glass; all of this made for a warm welcome.

Some people were seated at tables, typing away on their computers; others were laid back on couches, smiling with lattes in their hands. Angela was standing by the coffee bar in Earth Coffeehouse, the central cafe of TolHouse, laughing with the barista, Cory. This space was such a stark contrast to the outside world, yet it felt familiar and calm. Angela relayed that desire for others to come together and meet in a safe space, one that thrives on communication; “We wanted people to just come here and meet others. That’s what we hoped to create, even for people from outside the city, so that they could say, “I found my spot."

Fusing National and Regional Collaboration

Angela and her husband, Will, brought TolHouse to life in 2021. One of the major factors in bringing up the club was the lack of a centralised space for creatives and entrepreneurs alike, right here in Toledo. “We have so many creative people in this city doing cool things, but there was never a central location for them. They were in these little silos and pockets. There wasn’t a place to consistently network. We have networking events all over the city, but not a space where it happens naturally.” Influenced by Soho Houses they’ve encountered while travelling the country, the style of TolHouse invites everyone beyond the region with its rich atmosphere, soft music, and creative menu, but the local artistry is what infuses the spirit of creatives across Toledo into the club.

River House Arts collaborates with Angela monthly to rotate new paintings crafted by locals; however, TolHouse also hosts a variety of events throughout the year that tap into music, dance, crafts, etc. “If you come in often, you’ll notice that something is probably different every time. We’re constantly changing and trying new things… It’s about appreciating everyone from all walks of life while showcasing Toledo. That was the point of this place. It wouldn’t make sense to have art that wasn’t local.”

Angela’s history, however, extends beyond TolHouse, being heavily involved with the community years before the club was created. She was an essential player in Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz’s team, serving as his finance manager and then executive assistant, playing a critical role in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the campaign. She has also played active roles for a multitude of women-led initiatives, including Women Who Lead and Girl Scouts of Northwestern Ohio, shining her passion towards helping women achieve their dreams through community efforts. 

Pivoting and Empowering Women

In 2019, Angela founded Made with Purpose, an initiative towards helping women find their passions and work towards their goals. “I wanted to create a platform for women in particular. A source of daily inspiration and encouragement, because it gets tiring and hard to build a dream on your own. You need someone in your ear, letting you know you can do this and it’s going to be okay. That’s what I hoped to create.” Angela described the process as helping women become “unstuck,” to break out of a mindset that has pushed aside dreams because of hesitation.

While TolHouse serves as an essential spot for creative networking, Angela still emphasises the importance of allowing women to express their own visions that shouldn’t detach from their core. This philosophy has also influenced some decisions around TolHouse. “I would say I don’t do things based on people’s reactions. I don’t build projects around that. I appreciate the excitement and support of the community - without it, we wouldn’t exist - but I don’t make decisions based on it. Hopefully, they like what we do, and if they don’t, we pivot because everything is always evolving.” 

From navigating TolHouse to Made with Purpose to real estate to advocacy movements, Angela transforms obstacles into building opportunities each step of the way, a piece of advice she relays to the dreamers. For Angela, life is a never-ending series of trials and challenges; it’s not a matter of when it will end, but how we’ll prepare and react. “That’s the nature of building. None of this is easy. You just have to take each challenge as it comes and do your best. We’ve had to pivot a lot, especially when something isn’t working. When it’s just difficult, we push through; when it’s not working, we pivot. I foresee challenges until the end of time, because that’s life. It only gets harder.”

While Angela encourages many women to pursue their goals and passions despite the hardships, she also advises against only going after the dream itself. “Otherwise, you risk burnout, which can make people give up on their dreams. Focusing on the next right step is more helpful than only looking at the bigger picture. And along the way, your big dream might even change.” Angela rejects the notion of people only having one set dream, relaying that TolHouse wasn’t in the cards for her when she first began her career. The countless endeavors that sprouted from TolHouse’s central hub of creatives, which grew organically from personal values, perfectly demonstrate what these shifting visions can entail. Changing goals requires immense self-reflection and healing, and Angela emphasizes that we can do it together. 

Same Values, Adapting Projects

Angela harbors discussions around inner journeys, meditation, and transforming “I have an idea” into “I have a plan.” No matter what project Angela’s working on, self-care and advocacy remain a high priority on her big to-do list. When asked about her plans for 2026, Angela plans to help build the Vistula Historic District with upcoming projects, not stopping at TolHouse. She also wants to focus on directly helping women through reflective practices and community support, including her event on February 21st, Designing Your Year with Purpose: A Guided Journaling Experience. This event encourages rumination through journaling and exploring the next steps for 2026. 

Angela’s advice infuses artistry, economic development, and mental clarity in a universal message: “Put one foot in front of the other. You don’t have to know everything all at once. You don’t have to know exactly how it will work out or even the final result. Take small actions—keep learning.” 

With that, we both said our thank yous and departed, but not before I asked her what her favorite drink was from Earth Coffeehouse. She laughed, talking about how Cory works his magic and makes her a custom drink, a creative perk for the baristas at the cafe. But a menu favorite of hers is the Metroparks Mocha, where some proceeds go towards their summer camp programs. 

I left TolHouse that morning with a hot Metroparks Mocha in my hands, taking a piece of TolHouse with me into the freezing air of late January. 

Angela Lucas is the founder and CEO of Made with Purpose Co. and the co-founder of TolHouse alongside her husband, Will Lucas. Her impact on the community continues to spread through a variety of ways, whether that be through a collaborative workspace, advocacy initiatives, or one-on-one guidance. Thank you, Angela, for giving so much to the community, and for providing a space where the Women of Toledo meet nearly every week and drink amazing coffee! 

Learn more about Angela’s journaling event on February 21st here: https://angelalucas.net/dyy