Today we’d like to introduce you to Lerae Funderburg
Hi Lerae, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Absolutely! My journey has been anything but conventional. I started out as an entertainment and business attorney, working with high-profile artists and entrepreneurs, helping them protect their brands and legacies. On paper, I had it all—success, respect, and the type of career I once dreamed of. But beneath the surface, I was exhausted, unfulfilled, and caught in a cycle of overworking and neglecting my own well-being.
The turning point came when I embarked on the Sacred Woman journey with Queen Afua. That experience cracked me open in ways I never expected—it wasn’t just about wellness, it was about remembering who I truly was. I healed deep wounds, reconnected with my divine self, and found my purpose in guiding others to do the same. That journey led me to become a nationally board-certified health and wellness coach, a somatic healer, meditation facilitator, and sound healer (among other things).
In the midst of this transformation, I also made a bold move—I relocated to Costa Rica with my two children. I wanted a life that was rich in peace, nature, and self-care, not just money and achievements. That decision gave birth to something bigger: The Luxurae Collective, a sanctuary and global community for Black women who are ready to elevate their well-being, wealth, and lifestyle. The Luxurae Collective is a deeply personal and immersive experience I now offer to other Black women, especially mothers and entrepreneurs, who need a sacred pause, and a means to balance business and wellness.
One of the most powerful experiences I offer through Luxurae Collective is the RENEW HER Retreat—a luxury, immersive wellness retreat designed for high-achieving Black women, who are ready to release burnout, reconnect with themselves. My retreat is about more than just relaxation—it’s about healing, breaking generational cycles, making self-care non-negotiable, and prioritizing radical self-care. This retreat is an opportunity to unplug, reset, and be guided through yoga, meditation, energy healing, sound therapy, nature immersion, and nourishing plant-based meals, in the serene beauty of Costa Rica. You can learn more about the upcoming retreat in May here: https://www.luxuraecollective.com/retreat
Today, I balance both my law firm and wellness businesses, using my expertise to help Black women protect their brands while also prioritizing their well-being. My mission is clear: to help women stop sacrificing themselves for success and instead create lives that feel as good as they look. I am living proof that you don’t have to choose between ambition and alignment—you can have both.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? Not at all. My journey has been filled with twists, setbacks, and moments that forced me to completely reimagine my life. But I wouldn’t change any of it because every challenge has shaped me into the woman I am today.
One of the biggest struggles was learning to put myself first. As an accomplished Black woman, mother, and entrepreneur, I was conditioned to believe that success came at the cost of my well-being. I poured everything into my career, my family, my clients—until I had nothing left for myself. Burnout wasn’t just a buzzword; it was my reality. I had to unlearn the idea that self-care was selfish and start treating it as the foundation of my success, not an afterthought.
Another major challenge was navigating reinvention—shifting from being seen solely as an attorney to embracing my purpose as a wellness coach and healer. At first, I struggled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Would people take me seriously? Could I really build a business around something so deeply personal? I had to remind myself that my lived experience, my transformation, and my expertise were more than enough. And now, I help other women walk that same path— finding the courage to prioritize themselves and step into their purpose.
Relocating to Costa Rica with my two young kids was another leap of faith. It was beautiful, but it wasn’t always easy. I had to navigate living in a new country, raising my children in a different culture, and balancing business while ensuring they felt at home. But through it all, I’ve learned that peace is something we create, not just something we find. And my children are better because of it. We have built community and learned what truly matters – living in harmony.
Most recently, one of the biggest challenges has been building Luxurae Collective and launching the RENEW HER Retreat while maintaining my law firm and other ventures. Balancing it all as a one-woman show hasn’t been easy, but I know this work is necessary. Women like me—ambitious, purpose-driven, but often overworked—deserve spaces where we can heal, be seen, and be poured into. That’s exactly why I created the Luxurae Collective and why the RENEW HER Retreat is so important.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But every challenge has led me to deeper alignment, and now, I get to help other women do the same.
As you know, we’re big fans of Luxurae Collective, by Elevate Legally. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m the founder of the Luxurae Collective, a luxury wellness and lifestyle brand designed specifically for driven Black women, especially mothers and entrepreneurs, who are ready to elevate their self-care and reclaim their well-being.
At the Luxurae Collective, we don’t just talk about wellness—we embody it in a way that is luxurious, intentional, deeply transformative, and harmonious with our every day lives. We create sacred spaces for healing, self-discovery, and radical self-care through immersive retreats, digital offerings, individual and group coaching, and a thriving global community.
What We Do & What Sets Us Apart
I specialize in helping Black women integrate wellness into their lives in a way that feels natural, luxurious, and sustainable. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that success comes at the expense of our health, peace, and joy—but that’s a lie. You don’t have to burn out to be successful. You don’t have to choose between ambition and self-care. You deserve both.
What sets Luxurae Collective apart is that I don’t just focus on one aspect of wellness—I combine ancient healing practices, modern self-care strategies, and high-end luxury experiences to create soul-shifting transformations. My work blends:
– Yoga & Meditation – Grounding practices for inner peace
– Sound Healing & Energy Work – Releasing emotional and energetic blockages
– Luxury Retreats & Sacred Spaces – Restorative experiences that allow women to completely unplug and reset
– Coaching & Community – Ongoing support for long-term well-being
– Business & Legal Resources – Elevate your business and brand
The RENEW HER Retreat – A Signature Experience
One of my most powerful offerings is the RENEW HER Retreat, a luxury wellness retreat in Costa Rica designed for Black women who are ready to reset, heal, and pour into themselves. It’s not just about relaxation—it’s about transformation. Over 5 days in the lush beauty of Costa Rica, women experience:
– Personalized Healing Sessions (sound therapy, meditation, energy work)
– Yoga & Movement Practices designed for emotional release and renewal
– Nature Immersion & Excursions that reconnect them with their power
– Luxury Accommodations & Spa Treatments for ultimate self-care
– Gourmet Plant-Based Farm to Table Cuisine to nourish the body and spirit
The RENEW HER Retreat is for the woman who has been pouring into everyone else and needs a sacred pause. It’s for the CEO, the mother, the entrepreneur, the leader who is finally ready to put herself first, be reborn, and make self-care a non-negotiable part of her life.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of creating a brand that allows Black women to experience luxury and healing at the same time. Too often, we are told to be strong, to push through, to sacrifice. Luxurae Collective is a reminder that we deserve softness, rest, and renewal.
Beyond the retreat, the intent is for the Luxurae Collective to grow into a global movement. My goal is to expand our offerings, from an exclusive membership community to digital courses and luxury wellness experiences worldwide. This is just the beginning.
What I Want Readers to Know
If you’ve been running on empty, if you’ve been putting yourself last, if you know deep down that you need to reset—it’s time. The RENEW HER Retreat is your invitation to step away, breathe, and come back to yourself.
This is more than a retreat. It’s a homecoming to yourself.
You deserve it. And I’d love to welcome you into this experience.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Absolutely. I believe mentorship and networking are about alignment, intentionality, and reciprocity. Too often, people think networking is just about collecting contacts or finding someone to give them opportunities, but the truth is, the most valuable relationships are mutually beneficial—even if you’re the one learning.
I think the best mentors are people who embody the life, business, or mindset you aspire to have. Instead of just looking for a mentor based on their title or success, ask yourself: Do they live in alignment with their values? Have they walked a path similar to mine? Do they operate in a way that inspires me?
One of my biggest mentors, Queen Afua, came into my life not just because I admired her work, but because I was already doing the work myself. I took the initiative to immerse myself in the Sacred Woman teachings, heal myself, and embody what I was learning. That alignment led to me working directly with her, securing her trademark for “Sacred Woman”, and assisting other women through the Sacred Woman journey as a practitioner.
So my advice? Become the kind of person your mentor would naturally be drawn to. Show up, invest in yourself, and engage with the work that inspires you.
As far as networking is concerned, it took me a while to learn that it doesn’t have to feel forced or transactional. What’s worked best for me is building genuine connections and being of service first. Instead of leading with “What can I get?” I ask, “How can I add value?”
Here’s what’s helped me the most:
1. Being Intentional – I surround myself with people who inspire, challenge, and elevate me. Whether it’s wellness, law, or entrepreneurship, I engage in spaces that align with my purpose.
2. Creating My Own Spaces – I didn’t wait to be invited to the table. I built my own community with Luxurae Collective and attracted like-minded women who share my vision for healing and luxury wellness.
3. Investing in High-Value Rooms – Free networking events can be great, but I’ve found that investing in masterminds, high-ticket retreats, and exclusive groups has given me access to decision-makers and high-level opportunities. If you want to network at a different level, put yourself in spaces where the right people are already gathering.
4. Following Up & Nurturing Relationships – A quick introduction isn’t enough. I maintain and nurture relationships by staying in touch, supporting others, and showing up consistently.
My final words of advice: Don’t chase connections—attract them by doing the work. Show up as your authentic self, pour into others, and build relationships rooted in value, trust, and alignment. That’s how mentorship and networking truly transform your life and business.
Pricing:
- Renew Her Retreat $2,555.00
- Trademark DIY Course $333.00
- Contract Template Bundles $22.00 and up
- Thrive in Sync 6-Week Coaching Program $777
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.luxuraecollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxuraecollective and https://www.instagram.com/holisticlawyermommy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leraefunderburg/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@trapzenmama?_t=ZP-8uDjChaBs9H&_r=1
Image Credits
Nick Nelson, Brandprenuer
