Seeing Light at the End of the Tunnel: 5 Reasons To Be Hopeful During this Corona Crisis, With Renee Greenstein

Having hope that this will soon pass, because it will! In the meantime clean out your closet, pick out what you’re going to wear come summer time. Plan a vacation because, eventually we will be going on those little vacations to the beach or a museum. If you can afford it, buy yourself a little something to make you feel good, even if it’s a new tube of lipstick or a T-shirt.

As a part of my series about the things we can do to remain hopeful and support each other during anxious times, I had the pleasure of interviewing Renee Greenstein.

Renée Greenstein is Founder and Designer of Women With Control® and Attitudes by Renée®. Two top selling fashion lines featured on QVC USA and UK. Both collections are a reflection of designer Renée Greenstein’s flair, genuine playfulness, and compelling life experiences. As part of her entrepreneur endeavors, philanthropy is a large focus of her business.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

Before I was in fashion, I went to college where I was majoring in psychology which I began to understand was not for me however, I had an intense desire to know more about Theology, religion, how to become a better Protestant, etc, being that I’m Jewish,I found other religions very fascinating. There’s a separation between the Old Testament and New Testament, in my faith we still believe in the Old and we are waiting for the Messiah and it was then I came to the understanding that I wanted to work with people. .

Fashion was always a part of my soul from the time my Aunt Gabe gave me my first EPI bag when I was 12 or 13 years old, I received my first Chanel when I was 16 and to this day they are both treasured memories. I like every other young girl reading Fashion magazines, looking at the clothing, the shoes, the models and I knew what my path was to be .

I left for New York in 1969 to work in the industry . Life works in many ways as we come to find out during this path we walk in life. I just happened to be at the right place at time, and I began my career as a fit model in New York. As a fit model we are always trying on clothing and I soon realized that the clothes I was wearing did not fit the “real woman”. I noticed that the industry was overlooking a vast portion of what a “real woman” was and is. Not too long after, I began working for a particular manufacturer where I met my business partner, every once in a while they would give me a style to work with them on and when I would try it on, it just wouldn’t feel right, the drape was wrong or the rise too short as women we do know how we like our clothing to fit and look. From that frustration I said, you know what, I’m going to start manufacturing for myself and for the real woman. So that’s how my career path came about! I learned by trial and fire to be honest and through many hours of hard work, QVC reached out.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

The one particular book that stands out in my mind and that made a significant impact on me would be, ‘The Gospel According to Coco Chanel,’ by Karen Karbo. I was infatuated with Coco Chanel, I loved her any book or films about her I absorbed. Chanel was at the forefront of a woman coming in, and doing what she wanted to do. She went from being a concubine with men, to being determined by starting to design her own exquisite line. Many people didn’t understand her story, because it was very basic, and dark for people back in those days, I still thought she was very creative. She took a gamble and I love that about her. I’ve always loved her fashions and think she was very progressive for time, which is a great quality to have.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Many people have become anxious from the dramatic jolts of the news cycle. The fears related to the coronavirus pandemic have heightened a sense of uncertainty, fear, and loneliness. From your perspective can you help our readers to see the “Light at the End of the Tunnel”? Can you share your “5 Reasons To Be Hopeful During this Corona Crisis”? If you can, please share a story or example for each.From your experience or research what are five steps that each of us can take to effectively offer support to those around us who are feeling anxious? Can you explain?

1. You wake up each morning and are home & safe. I am staying safe indoors with my husband Justin, and hope everyone in this world is taking care of themselves.
2. Make yourself feel good. Don’t lay in your bed; go shower, wash your hair, and put little lipstick on!
3. Reach out to your loved ones, regardless if it’s by phone or Facetime, you still need to connect with other people. That is what’s important, connecting with family and friends, neighbors during this time.
4. Relax and enjoy “ME” time. Binge that Netflix show you have been dying to see, read a book, or even try a new recipe.
5. Having hope that this will soon pass, because it will! In the meantime clean out your closet, pick out what you’re going to wear come summer time. Plan a vacation because, eventually we will be going on those little vacations to the beach or a museum. If you can afford it, buy yourself a little something to make you feel good, even if it’s a new tube of lipstick or a T-shirt.

What are the best resources you would suggest to a person who is feeling anxious?

Some of the best resources I can suggest to someone who is feeling anxious is Netflix and Hulu. Pick up where you left off in that show, watch that movie you’ve been wanting to see. Watch shows like, The Voice, where you can sing along and interact. Spotify, Itunes, or Apple Music are great to play your favorite tune and dance, because dancing is always good!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?

My favorite life lesson quote is, “Life is not a dress rehearsal, live for today.” This is something I’ve related to since the passing of my first husband in 1989. Generally people always say they are going to do something and never do it, but this has taught me to be the one who DOES IT.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I could start a movement it would be to continue to grow my fabulous Wardrobe Warrior Group. This is a private Facebook group that I created 2 years ago that has almost 3,000 ladies in it, who inspire and empower each other every day. I’ve never seen a more powerful group of women supporting women and I wish everyone in the world one day could be like this. If you are not a part of this group, please request to join today! There is never an ounce of negativity, this group of ladies always knows how to put a smile on your face.

What is the best way our readers can follow you online?

My website is www.reneegreenstein.com

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

Thank you for this opportunity

bout the Author:

Dr. Ely Weinschneider is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in New Jersey. Dr. Ely specializes in adolescent and adult psychotherapy, parenting, couples therapy, geriatric therapy, and mood and anxiety disorders. He also has a strong clinical interest in Positive Psychology and Personal Growth and Achievement, and often makes that an integral focus of treatment. An authority on how to have successful relationships, Dr. Ely has written, lectured and presented nationally to audiences of parents, couples, educators, mental health professionals, clergy, businesses, physicians and healthcare policymakers on subjects such as: effective parenting, raising emotionally intelligent children, motivation, bullying prevention and education, managing loss and grief, spirituality, relationship building, stress management, and developing healthy living habits. Dr. Ely also writes a regular, nationally syndicated column about the importance of “being present with your children”. When not busy with all of the above, Dr. Ely works hard at practicing what he preaches, raising his adorable brood (which includes a set of twins and a set of triplets!) together with his wife in Toms River, New Jersey.