Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Rehkamp. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Our story and mission welcome to our journey with pediatric mental health and illness.
Founded by Kristin Rohman Rehkamp, La Vie Est Belle was born out of the desire to inspire giving and kindness, tell her family’s story of experiencing pediatric mental illness with their daughter, and be a voice or community for others. Kristin and her family are choosing their own path to happiness and hope to inspire others.
Creating a gift boutique rooted in the foundation of inspiring beautiful living allowed Kristin to fulfill a lifelong dream. With a background in interior design and retail, she had long envisioned her own boutique centered around serving others, purpose, and mission.
With the need to be home with her daughter braving a mental illness, a high-level corporate career was no longer realistic. Kristin’s heart was in caring for her daughter and family, creating a platform to give back to pediatric mental health initiatives, and opening a store that creates joy while making a difference.
Truly a human endeavor, a percentage of La Vie Est Belle’s net profits and time are donated to pediatric mental health initiatives. It is a boutique that gives back.
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?
In Kristin’s words… Our healthy happy oldest daughter suddenly experienced a panic attack on September 16, 2020, at a well-child check that triggered an acute anxiety/panic disorder. She was consequently hospitalized for nearly two months consisting of three emergency room visits and three extended hospital stays. Our life, path forward, and perspective changed suddenly and without warning.
Through our own experience, we discovered a need for a safe community for parents and care providers with a child or children living with mental illness. A need to not feel so alone in the overwhelming and often misunderstood space of mental health. To be seen, and heard, and hopefully find comfort in knowing there are others walking next to you. We bravely share our story on our blog page to educate, empower, and strengthen other families.
Although my husband and I may never understand the “why” behind our journey with our daughter, we do believe all things happen for a reason. We are hopeful our family will lend a strong and positive voice to families and those serving our communities working to break down barriers, raise awareness, and make a difference in the lives of those braving mental illness. As we advocate for our daughter, we look forward to evolving mental health/well-being thinking and care models for those who journey with us.
As you know, we’re big fans of La Vie Est Belle. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
La Vie Est Belle is a gift boutique rooted in the foundation of inspiring beautiful living and thoughtful gifting while raising awareness and transforming care for children, adolescents, and families courageously living with mental illness.
We pride ourselves on providing personalized gifting solutions for all occasions. Every package is beautifully gift wrapped, includes a hand-written card. We also offer complimentary doorstep delivery in the St. Croix Valley area and affordable shipping throughout the United States. We are your one-stop gifting solution for all the holidays, weddings, babies, getting well, thinking of you, new home, etc.
In addition, it is important to us at La Vie Est Belle to support other woman-owned businesses and local artists. Other than DEMDACO and Creative Co-Op, all other product in the store is unique and handmade by women, young girls…local artists we admire. In addition, we employ young girls and provide community events for women and girls to gather and celebrate.
La Vie Est Belle presented itself when our daughter experienced a mental health crisis in 2020. Kristin’s heart was in caring for her daughter and family, not working corporate hours. Kristin combined her interior design, retail background, and dream of opening her own store with a platform to empower women and families.
We have been humbled by a number of local (and national) awards and recognition in our short two-and-half-years (one year with a brick-and-mortar). It is an honor and so darn fun to know and serve our community!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I also wrote a book.
Shortly after my daughter’s mental health crisis in 2020, writing became my therapeutic outlet, which naturally led to a blog. I wrote my first blog on March 19, 2021. To date, I have written nearly 100 weekly blogs. At the suggestion of my readers, my collection of blogs has been turned into a book, entitled Finding Us: A Mother’s Memoir of Braving Mental Illness with Her Young Daughter.
Our book is now available via our gift store (La Vie Est Belle) in Lake Elmo, MN, or our website (shoplavie.co), and launched with major retailers (Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Walmart…etc.) on October 15, 2022.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shoplavie.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavieestbellegiftshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavieestbellegiftshop
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-vie-est-belle-llc
Image Credits
Chelsea Madsen Images and Rachel DesJardins Photography
