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MAGNOLIA, AR (March 2025) — Magnolia, Arkansas native Lorenzo Stephens has been named to the prestigious Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 Class of 2025. The annual list recognizes 40 professionals under the age of 40 who are making a significant impact in business, politics, and community leadership across the state.
Stephens currently serves as the Business Development Manager for Lefty’s and MuleKick, two of Magnolia’s standout restaurants. His work spans a wide range of disciplines — from brand strategy and web development to guest experience innovation and data analytics — all rooted in his background in creative design and technology.
“We always get a kick out of it when people ask, ‘What does that guy on the laptop all the time even do?’” says Stephens. “And honestly, I still don’t know how to answer it. I just know I’m always trying to help us find what’s next — even if we don’t know it exists yet.”
Originally self-taught in web and graphic design, Stephens started designing websites and graphic design in the 5th grade without knowing it was even a paid profession. After freelancing in web development, branding, and SEO across the state, he discovered MuleKick during a visit home to Magnolia in 2020.
“I walked into MuleKick right before COVID and remember thinking — what is this place, and what is it doing in Magnolia? Then I just kept showing up every day until Christy [Ouei] finally reached out to me about a different venture. We stayed there until 3am talking about philosophy, business strategies, etc.. That conversation changed the course of my entire career.”
Since joining the team under owners Christy Ouei and Burt Adams, Stephens has helped lead award-winning efforts — including MuleKick’s recent full rebrand and Lefty’s recognition as Best New Restaurant (2024) and Best Cocktail Lounge (2025). Lefty’s is currently a finalist for Best Overall Restaurant in Arkansas as well as four other categories in a statewide competition.
“Lefty’s and MuleKick are next level because Christy and Burt are next level,” says Stephens. “They’re always pushing the needle, and they let me create freely. It’s never about doing things the traditional way — it’s about doing what actually connects with people.”
In his evolving role, Stephens has helped redefine what “business development” looks like in the hospitality world.
“To me, business development is everything that touches the guest before they walk in — and everything that stays with them after they leave. It’s branding, yes, but it’s also innovating how we serve, communicate, and design experiences that actually matter. Whether that’s using guest data to craft better menus or building systems that make service smoother — I just want to help create the kind of experience you’d expect in Houston or NYC, right here in Magnolia.”
Christy Ouei, owner of MuleKick and Lefty’s, credits that mindset with helping take the businesses to new heights.
“Lorenzo has a rare combination of creative instinct, analytical depth, and fearless curiosity,” says Ouei. “He doesn’t just think outside the box — he usually figures out how to build a new one. From day one, we’ve trusted him to challenge the way things are done and lead us into what’s next. He’s helped reshape how we think about hospitality.”
That trust — and the freedom to explore beyond traditional roles — has allowed Stephens to grow not just as a strategist, but as a hospitality professional in the truest sense.
“I’ve always been behind a screen. But hospitality is about people — and I’ve come to absolutely love interacting with our guests. Some nights, they’re the ones who give me the energy to keep going. Just being present with them and our staff… that’s where the magic happens.”
Being honored alongside statewide leaders — and as one of the only individuals from the restaurant industry — is a moment Stephens says he never expected.
“It means the world to me. I think the only other people from Magnolia to ever make this list are Dr. Jay Franks [Southern Medical Group] and Chris Gosnell [CEO, Farmer’s Bank & Trust] — two men I admire and am lucky enough to call friends. To be included in that company… I’m just truly, truly humbled.”
His message to his hometown is one of possibility and pride.
“Let’s continue to embrace and develop the growth of our town. Magnolia has what it takes to become a destination — and we deserve that.”