Today we’d like to introduce you to Leeanna Benavidez
Hi LeeAnna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has woven together a series of challenges, resilience, and unexpected discoveries, all of which have led me to create Sensory Style Co. Growing up with a brother who has Down syndrome, I learned from an early age that effective communication isn’t always verbal. I became the one who truly understood him and his friends, offering them the support and connection they needed in a way that felt both natural and deeply gratifying.
Between the ages of five and thirteen, I bravely fought acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), aka cancer, even experiencing a relapse during this time. While those years were filled with medical appointments and struggles, they opened doors for personal growth. I developed invaluable skills—from conducting interviews and fundraising to contributing to the creation of an inclusive, accessible camp ground—that enhanced my confidence and ability to adapt under difficult circumstances.
Just as I thought I was emerging from my own medical journey, life threw another difficult challenge my way. My father was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor, and after surgery, he began a long, arduous process of physical therapy to regain mobility. At this time, I witnessed my childhood home undergo modifications to accommodate his new needs—not with the ideal, innovative design I had hoped for, but with a budget-conscious, practical approach that left much to be desired. This experience opened my eyes to the profound influence that thoughtful design can have on everyday life. Not only was our home altered, but I saw firsthand how many public locations were equally unaccommodating and inaccessible.
Amid these challenges, one lighthearted moment stood out. My father’s speech therapist jokingly remarked that his progress was due in part to the “hardest coach in the house,” which was me pushing him to do his homework. That playful comment ended up steering me toward speech therapy as a career—a suggestion that would later become a central part of my professional journey. As I entered my senior year of high school, I struggled with uncertainty about the future, but this comment provided me with a sense of purpose. After losing my father just before my high school graduation, I felt an even stronger desire to pursue a path that would allow me to pay forward the support my family had received.
I earned a B.A. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of North Texas. Though I wasn’t accepted into graduate school—a setback that could have discouraged many—I felt surprisingly relieved. I was more excited about the possibility of making an impact in the world in any capacity. I embraced this unexpected change, dedicating my first post-graduation year to assisting a local convent in opening their new chapel and retreat center. In this role, I gained priceless exposure to collaborating with construction teams, managing logistics, and working with the community, all of which sharpened my skills and broadened my perspective. Once the retreat center was up and running, I transitioned into a career as an SLPA, working in a variety of settings—and quietly still nurturing my growing passion for design and organization.
Through these various personal and professional experiences, my natural organizational abilities began to surface more and more, alongside a deepening passion for design. When my desire to support my patients beyond therapy sessions was met with resistance from superiors, I began to explore new possibilities. During a joyful summer job with a professional organizing company, I not only discovered a love for the work but also uncovered my unexpected talent for design. Clients began to request my advice on more than just organizing spaces, sparking a renewed passion in me to create accessible and inclusive environments. I next apprenticed under a prominent interior designer who shared a similar mission to mine. She embraced my experience, which exceeded the expectations of some of her own colleagues in the interior design field.
Yet, despite this mentorship, I still felt hesitant to start my own business—no one in my circle had experience building a business from the ground up. I spent a lot of time reflecting and reaching out to other design and organizing firms, only to be met with little enthusiasm for this niche market. Eventually, I realized that if I wanted to create change, I had to do it myself.
With a heart full of passion and a mission to empower every individual, I launched Sensory Style Co.—a company dedicated to creating spaces that are not only accessible but also welcoming and truly enriching for all. I believe that transforming environments to meet the individual needs of those who occupy them not only improves their quality of life but also creates a ripple effect that can positively impact the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Aside from the challenges in my story, mastering the logistics of running a business—from taxes and legalities to social media marketing—has been quite the learning curve. Stepping away from a steady income to pursue entrepreneurship means grappling with budget restrictions, too.
My niche is traditionally geared toward children, with services typically tapering off by age 11. But we aim to support teens, adults, and seniors, which means I must ramp up my marketing efforts. Again, since this type of support is uncommon, it has been slow growth. But I fully understand that forging a new path in an established field is part of the journey. And hey, if I can navigate taxes, legal mumbo-jumbo, and the ever-changing world of social media, I might just earn a black belt in adulting, too! lol
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We create personalized interior design and professional organizing solutions for everyone. But we specialize in catering to individuals with mental and physical limitations such as ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Dementia, & more. Our residential and commercial environments are crafted to promote comfort, accessibility, and independence, driven by our belief that everyone deserves a space that enhances their quality of life. Unlike traditional design and organizing firms that often overlook these unique needs, we passionately advocate for our clients. Our focus is on serving families, teens, adults, and seniors who may face late diagnoses or sudden changes in their abilities—filling a gap that is often overlooked.
For Austinites and residents in surrounding counties, our in-person services provide a streamlined, well-developed process that saves you the time and headache of managing everything on your own. And for clients across Texas, our virtual services offer ongoing support throughout the process, even if I can’t be there to oversee every detail in person.
Our most cost-effective service is the “Designer for a Day” experience, available both in-person and virtually. During this focused 2-4 hour session, clients can gather all the creative and practical ideas necessary to improve their space according to their unique needs. They’ll walk away with an organized document filled with actionable insights and recommendations—empowered to hire their own contractors and take charge of the project on their terms.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I was classically trained in voice for 20 years, which opened the door to countless opportunities to travel the world and sing. But growing up in South Texas, choir competitions were more than just a chance to sing—they were golden tickets to state competitions in Austin. During those state competition breaks, I’d seize the opportunity to explore the city on my own, probably in ways that would raise eyebrows today (let’s just say I perfected the art of adventurous solo navigation!).
Austin captured my heart with its quirky charm, offbeat conversations with fascinating strangers, art practically hanging in the air, and vibes so welcoming they made every street corner feel like home. I knew early on that I’d either go to college or eventually live there someday. When my education later took me further north, my now husband recognized that our future might well include living in Austin.
In fact, during his very first (post-grad) job interview for an out-of-state position, he boldly asked if a transfer to an Austin office was possible. The interviewer, a bit surprised, confirmed it—and then inquired if it was for family reasons. With a chuckle, he replied, “The girl I plan to propose to has always dreamed of living in Austin, so I’m planning for her future too!” And if that isn’t a masterclass in love and strategic career planning, I don’t know what is—plus, it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘singing for your future’!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sensorystylecompany.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sensorystylecompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550234144820
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeanna-benavidez-02304a1a0/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@SensoryStyleCo
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/sensorystyleco/
