We’re so excited to introduce our audience to Stephanie Rothenberg, a sales associate from our William Raveis New York City office. In addition to working in real estate, Stephanie is also an accomplished Broadway actress, starring alongside Daniel Radcliffe & Nick Jonas. Read on for more about Stephanie!
William Raveis: What drew you to the real estate industry?
Stephanie Rothenberg: I started my real estate career in early 2019 when my dear friend and inspiring William Raveis broker, Denae Montesi and I ran into each other on the Upper East Side one weekend afternoon. More on that in a minute…
My whole journey is a very New York story. I moved to NYC in 2008 to study at NYU and dreamed of becoming a Broadway actress. In my junior year of college, I was offered my “big break” landing a role in the 2011 Broadway revival of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING starring Daniel Radcliffe as a member of the ensemble and understudying the leading lady. In a crazy turn of events, the star of the show got sick 3 days before Opening Night and I made my debut without any rehearsal! The rest is history. I ended up becoming the leading lady the following year starring opposite Nick Jonas, and since have done 2 more Broadway shows (SUNSET BOULEVARD and WAR PAINT) and multiple TV shows including THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL.
Almost a decade later, running into Denae seemed meant to be. We spoke about all the success and failure and thrills and excitement of a life in the theater, but I was starting to feel like something was missing. That something was my own ability and agency to build my future. Since I was in college, I was fascinated by New York City real estate, it’s theater of a different kind. She and I spoke about how much she loves being a part the William Raveis family and encouraged me to come in and meet with Paul and Kathy our incredible managing directors at the NYC Raveis office. The rest is history. I love working at William Raveis because of the hands-on, personalized mentoring that I have received from career experts. Kathy, Paul, Denae, and Shanna our marketing manager have been instrumental in teaching me the skills to build long term success in this field. I feel incredibly honored to help New Yorkers find their dream homes in the city that has made my (and so many others’) dreams come true!
WR: Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
SR: I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee (before it was as cool as it now is today). I LOVE Nashville-the country music, the fried chicken and biscuits, and the kind, warm people of my hometown. I travel there as often as I can and heading back for a trip in January! I now live in Hell’s Kitchen, which is a very vibrant neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side. With the development of Hudson Yards just to the south, I’m beginning to see exciting changes to my neighborhood.
WR: Name one celebrity, dead or alive, who you would like to sell a home?
SR: Oh, this one is easy! Audrey Hepburn. Ever since I was a little girl I have always been inspired by her movies, her elegance and grace, and her humanitarian work.
WR: Name 5 things that most people don’t know about you.
SR: I can sing in 4 different languages. I was a great competitive swimmer and had to choose between continuing theater as a kid or year around swimming… Guess which one I chose ;). I read the newspaper every single day and prefer the paper kind. I was the voice of a cartoon character on a Nickelodeon show for toddlers. I have an deep love for perfume samples and used to have an entire drawer full.
WR: You are stranded on a deserted island for one year, you get to bring 3 things. Tell us what they are.
SR: My computer (there’s internet access on the island right?), an eyelash curler, and rosé.
WR: Most used feature on Raveis365?
SR: I enjoy using the Deluxe Marketing feature and use that in conjunction with Instagram a marketing tool to keep connected to my SOI.
WR: What is the best advice you received from your parents or loved ones?
SR: Honesty and integrity must always be the foundation of your work and personal life.
WR: If you weren’t in real estate, what would be your dream job?
SR: A host on a morning talk show! I love shows like THE VIEW and the TODAY SHOW and love my girls Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.
WR: What are your favorite local activities that you participate in?
SR: As a member of the Broadway community in NYC, I’m active in the Actor’s Equity union as well as the Screen Actors Guild.
WR: Fill in the blank: Your day cannot begin without _____?
SR: Coffee and a quick scroll through Instagram 🙂
