Meet Laura Schubart of Luxe and Lu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Schubart

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Five years ago, the only view of the world I had was through the bottom of a bottle. Unfortunately, I could never seem to find the bottom. There was no amount of alcohol in the world that could cover up the shame and guilt that I was carrying on my shoulders. I had a past filled with trauma, assault and a chaotic childhood. I was utterly shattered and hopeless. I watched my career, my friends, my health and my marriage spiral downward. Everything was slipping through my fingers and seemingly going up in smoke. I was in and out of psych wards following suicidal episodes I was having while intoxicated. I saw absolutely no future for myself. In my eyes, at the time, I was better off dead.
I knew I was an alcoholic but I couldn’t find the courage to admit it until my husband gave me an ultimatum. While it was extremely painful to hear, it ended up being the wake up call that I needed. Within a week, I was on a plane to a treatment facility. I spent 6 months in treatment and came home feeling like I had a second chance. Second chances can be hard to come by and I knew I had to seize the opportunity to reinvent myself. I also promised myself that I would share my journey with the world as I came to realize how many people suffer with addiction in silence.
For as long as I can remember, I have had an entrepreneurial spirit. My first ‘business’ was selling my Dad’s pens door to door as a 7 year old. I also had my Mom’s bargaining skills engrained in me from deal hunting as a child with her. To this day her voice rings in my head saying, ‘You never have to pay full price for anything if you look hard enough’.
I knew that I wanted to start a business that combined providing discounts on luxury products with a community providing a safe space to talk about recovery and encourage others to open up about whatever they may be struggling with. How the heck was I going to do that? And what would I sell?
On a whim, I began reselling clothes from my closet and thrift stores. I noticed that the luxury athletic wear brands like lululemon were flying off the metaphorical shelves that I didn’t have yet. I honed in on what I believed to be an emerging market-reselling luxury athletic wear. At the same time, I started a Facebook group and began sharing my personal story in addition to selling athleisure. My business, Luxe & Lu, was born. It became a healthy outlet for me to pour all of the energy into that I used to direct towards my addiction.
The response that it generated blew my mind. There were so many people looking for luxury athletic wear at a discount AND there were so many looking for support with addiction and trauma. My inbox became flooded with messages from my customers pouring their hearts out to me about their struggles with addiction and the struggles of their loved ones. In my heart, I could feel so deeply that I was on the right path. Many people I knew rolled their eyes at me and looked at me as though they were thinking ‘Do you really think this is going to work?’ I had no experience with starting or running a business but I knew it couldn’t be harder than getting sober.
For the first time in my life, I blocked out the noise and focused on what I believed in. I ignored the opinions of others and kept my nose to the grind stone. I hired a business coach to guide me and I found a supplier to source inventory from. I worked my a*s off to nurture and grow my baby business.
Within a year, my group grew to over 2,000 customers located all over the country. Today, it has grown to 6,000 customers and counting. I focus on connecting with people and being my authentic self. I built a boutique in my home for my local customers to come and shop in addition to shopping online. It became apparent that my openness about my journey was what drew people to me. People NEEDED a safe place and person to talk to. The boutique became a sacred and therapeutic place for people to not only shop, but also to talk about very sensitive issues they were facing. The clothes were just a vessel to reach those that needed an outlet and a friend. My clients are not just clients-to me, they are sisters, friends, confidants and some of the most beautiful people I have ever spoken to/met. They have all collectively helped to save my life by showing me that I do have a purpose. Luxe & Lu has grown into an inspiration driven business powered by kindness and compassion.
Today, I work full time running Luxe & Lu and have expanded my offerings to include personal shopping, pop up events and collaborations with other small businesses. I have never felt more fulfilled in my professional and personal life. For me, the two are intertwined and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My goal is to expand to a physical store in the future and to reach as many people as possible that need help. Helping others is crucial to me; if it weren’t for the help that was given to me, I might not be here. It’s an honor and a privilege to be an active member of the community!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
If I’m being honest, it has been the most challenging journey of my life. With that being said, it has also been the most rewarding. I have been through so much ‘life’ since my sobriety journey began. As an entrepreneur, it’s very hard to separate work from life. While running my business, I have also been working on constantly bettering myself and maintaining my sobriety. Juggling running a business with all of the other aspects of my life can be difficult. Over the years, I have learned that I don’t need to be in a rush. I have been learning how to give myself permission to slow down. I have gone through cycles of burn out in addition to losses in my personal life. I have come to the realization that above all, taking care of myself is the most important and foundational aspect of running a successful business long term. If my mind and body are healthy, I am much better equipped to show up for my clients, my family and myself each day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Luxe and Lu is a mission driven business that strives to encourage others to recognize their worth and to invest in athletic wear (all at a discount!) that makes them feel beautiful and confident just as they are. I am the sole owner and operator. I specialize in hand picking styles from well known brands that are in high demand and offering them for sale at discounted prices. I am proud to be able to offer brands like lululemon, Vuori, and Free People, all below retail (more brands to come!). Most of my products are new with tags. I also have a smaller selection of like new products that are sold at deeper discounts. I carry both women’s and men’s clothing. I prioritize a personalized shopping experience for my clients at my in home boutique. For each client, I prepare the boutique with everything in their size (s) prior to arrival in order to make shopping catered to them specifically. I have extensive experience with sizing and styling outfits. I also make sure to approach each client with kindness and openness. I invite conversation and deep talks if anyone feels like they need to get anything off their chest. If I don’t have a product that someone is looking for, I have the skill and ability to be able to find what they are seeking. I take personal shopping requests daily-both online and in person. In addition to my boutique, shopping can be done in my Facebook group, on Instagram and on my website. I ship orders anywhere in the United States.
I feel that what sets my business apart from others is my approach and my goals. First and foremost, my goal is to leave each client feeling better than when they arrive or reach out to me online. Many of the products I sell are styles that never go on sale in retail stores-Luxe and Lu provides a unique opportunity to save money on your favorite styles that aren’t available at a discount anywhere else. Shopping is available 24/7 online and 7 days a week during business hours in my boutique. Appointments can be booked by reaching out to me on social media or directly by texting or calling me at 303-304-9669.

What matters most to you? Why?
Helping others. Our world is so riddled with stress, anxiety, addiction, loss and burnout. I feel that it is so important to truly see and hear people. We all long to be understood, to feel empathy from others and to have a shoulder to lean on. The only thing that has gotten me through the darkest times of my life has been the support of others. For me, being a supportive and helpful person is my duty. Money comes and goes. Personal connection has the power to promote healing and hope-both of which are life changing and priceless. I genuinely care and I want others to know that they matter.

Pricing:

• All products are at least 15-20% off of retail prices.
• Deeper discounts of 30-50% off retail are available on many products as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luxeandlu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxeandlu
• Facebook: Facebook Group to shop: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HGvFCzSnN/
• Twitter: Email: hello@luxeandlu.com
• Other: Facebook Page to shop: https://www.facebook.com/share/14nwxvsfKc7/

Image Credits
Christina Wynn, Kevin Campbell Films