Second Life Casey Lewis: Creator of After School
Sep 28, 2026
Casey Lewis, creator of youth-culture newsletter After School, began as a teen blogger before rising through Teen Vogue and New York magazine. She discusses launching Clover Letter, navigating its acquisition, and reinventing her career during the pandemic. Lewis also explores youth trends, relentless digital research, newsletter economics, consulting, and building a media business on her own terms.
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Teen Vogue Turned Speed Into A Career Skill
- Teen Vogue’s rapid publishing pace trained Casey Lewis to work quickly and turn around stories under pressure.
- She broadened her beat from fashion to pop culture, concerts, red carpets, and celebrity interviews.
Clover Letter Escaped The Facebook Content Trap
- Casey Lewis and Liza Darwin created Clover Letter to escape Facebook-driven clickbait and reach teen girls directly.
- The newsletter grew to 600,000 subscribers before they began exploring acquisition instead of venture funding.
The $400,000 Reality Check For Clover Letter
- Clover Letter’s founders initially relied on savings, freelance work, and small sponsorships while learning business basics.
- After raising $400,000, they realized growth costs and operational needs made outside support increasingly important.