Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Rabinowitz.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Originally, I am from South Africa, and I have been an AVID dog lover ever since I can remember. I am the girl who would watch a movie and become wholeheartedly invested if there were animals featured. My main concern throughout the film as the story progressed, was… that the animals survived and did not get hurt!
Having been raised in a family with entrepreneurial parents, I have been privy to insights regarding on how businesses are suitably managed. I feel comfortable thinking out of the box and am open to trying new things. After spending my youth watching the art of my parents creating, developing, and executing successful ideas, it all seemed natural and enjoyable to me. We innovatively brought the European lingerie, like racerback bras along with other “new styles” into the American market starting in 1976. From there, we continued to grow and developed our brands (later creating “Le Mystere”) until we ended up on a segment of Extra where celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey herself endorsed us for four years in a row.
Realizing that the lingerie industry was not the direction I wanted to continue towards because it was something I had been born into and held no personal interest for, I thought it would be smart to use my skills and invest them into something I actually had a passion for, for my whole life! My passion for…Dogs! Cats! Pets! Animals! I decided to start simple by focusing on one thing at a time. ‘Let’s start with Dogs,’ I thought. One of my dreams is to help these wonderful, genuine creatures by being their voice! My goals consist of helping decrease the abandoned and abused population. Creating awareness on the importance of safety to as many humans as possible by familiarizing them with its concepts, in the hopes that they will also continue to share and help these authentic beings. I also aim to increase overall recognition through optimism, that there are plenty of people out there that do indeed care. I would be delighted to give shoutouts to rescue organizations that work so hard to help all these abandoned and unfortunate pets and give them a second chance! Bless them all!
It just makes sense and gives me great pleasure to implement my passion to help these beautiful, innocent animals!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think there is a smooth road. Only a bumpy one and you have to make the best of it and not give up! I was originally planning to start my business in 2012. However, my road was bumpy, and there was a huge pothole (Pun intended).
Washington City was constructing the 520 bridge to make it wider from Bellevue to Seattle. The city workers failed to level the road after digging it up for a trench. One sunny day, I walked outside my home, tripped, and fell in 2013. “I fell on my face. It was all downhill from there! The trauma affected my nervous system. I had no idea what was happening other than in the next 4 months. I lost my ability to walk and balance and dropped 20 lbs in 2 months. In 2014, I was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammation Delimitation Polyneuropathy (CIDP). I lived on IVIG (the medication) for the next 6 months. I had to go to rehab to re-learn how to walk again. I used a cane for the next two years. It wiped my life out for four years. I was doing my best to fight this disease. Before this crazy time, I had been actively participating in triathlons for 8 years.
Although my balance is not what it was, I now suffer from PTSD, vertigo/anxiety, neuropathy, and debilitating migraines. I do the best I can. That is all one can do. I don’t give up but rather work harder towards my goals.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have to say I feel super lucky that I can wear so many hats. From my training at Emerson College in Boston in film and television production all the way to working on the Run & Stimpy Show at Spumco in California. I have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience that allows me to apply these skills to whatever I do for my pet business or personal career.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Never give up on your passions and dreams! There are so many bumps in the road. Anywhere from spending my entire day with technical support, just trying to get one thing to work, all the way to my ancient computer deciding not to turn on. As frustrating as these hiccups can be, you have to be able to take a breath and keep going. Things have a way of working themselves out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lepetluxe.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lepetluxe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LePetLuxe
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lepetluxe
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr-QJ47ZmSjXjIkbWQ-CKQQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lepetluxe?lang=en
Image Credits
Le Pet Luxe
David Minton
