My name is Molly Rabuchin, and I was born and raised in Pacific Palisades alongside my twin sister and brother. This community runs deep in my family—both of my parents grew up here as well. Now, as a single mother, I feel incredibly fortunate to be raising my son, Indy, in the same place that shaped me. The Palisades isn’t just where I live; it’s home in every sense of the word. I’ve spent my entire life here, and I truly can’t imagine raising my son anywhere else.
Let’s Share Your Story
Tell us a little about yourself. Where did your story begin, and what led you to the Palisades?
My name is Molly Rabuchin, and I was born and raised in Pacific Palisades alongside my twin sister and brother. This community runs deep in my family—both of my parents grew up here as well. Now, as a single mother, I feel incredibly fortunate to be raising my son, Indy, in the same place that shaped me. The Palisades isn’t just where I live; it’s home in every sense of the word. I’ve spent my entire life here, and I truly can’t imagine raising my son anywhere else.
How long have you lived or worked here — and what do you love most about it?
For the past 18 years, I’ve worked as a VIP stylist at Elyse Walker, and my work anniversary actually fell the day after the fires—a moment that really reminded me of the strength of this community. One of the things I love most about the Palisades is that despite how much it has grown and changed over the years, it still holds onto that small-town charm. There’s a real sense of connection and care here, and I’m so proud to be part of it.
Tell us about your work or your passion — past, present, or future. What lights you up?
Eighteen years ago, I walked into our local boutique, Elyse Walker, never imagining that it would turn into not just a career—but a true passion. Elyse taught me the art of styling, the importance of creativity, and how powerful it is to help women feel their absolute best. Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with what I do, but even more so with the incredible clients and friends I’ve met along the way. This career has taken me all over the world and introduced me to some truly remarkable people—many of whom I now consider family. The support I’ve received from Elyse and my clients has not only allowed me to build a life and career in the town where I was raised, but it also gave me the stability and strength to become a mother on my own—something I’ve dreamed of my entire life.
Tell us a little about your family, community or what “home” means to you.
I truly have the greatest family in the world. My parents met at Palisades High School and have been married for 45 years—a love and partnership that’s been the foundation of our incredibly close-knit family. We’ve always been a tight unit, and that bond has only grown stronger over time. My parents continue to play a huge role in my life, especially in helping care for and raise my son. Their support means everything to me. While my twin sister now lives in Idaho and my brother is in Oregon, distance has never changed our connection—we’re always there for one another. After the fires, I was especially moved by how quickly they jumped into action to help us get resettled. But it wasn’t just them—my aunt in Virginia, and even my 94-year-old grandparents in Santa Monica, all stepped in with love and support. That moment reminded me just how lucky I am. My family is everything.
What’s something unique or special about the Palisades that you’ve experienced firsthand?
After the fires, I was reminded why I feel so lucky to be part of this community. The way people stepped up—neighbors helping neighbors, friends supporting one another—it was truly remarkable. There was such a strong sense of unity, of people simply wanting to be there for fellow Palisadians in a time of crisis. We all went through something unimaginable, but what stayed with me most was the way the community came together. It was a beautiful reminder of the strength, kindness, and resilience that make this place so special.
Community Favorites
Is/Was there a local business that makes you feel nostalgic or rooted here?
If you’re a true Palisades veteran, you might remember Ollipop—my parents’ beloved skate shop. It was more than just a store; it was a gathering place for local kids, where my dad handcrafted skateboards and I loved working behind the counter, handing out stickers. On special days, we’d close off the parking lot and bring in a half pipe for epic skate shows—events that many still remember fondly. You also can’t talk about the Palisades without mentioning Mort’s, the local deli on Swarthmore with headshots covering the walls. It was the place to be—especially on big fight nights when everyone would gather around the big screen. And of course, afterward, we’d all cross the street to Baskin Robbins for the best ice cream in town. It was a simple but unforgettable time, full of character and connection. Those memories—and the people behind them—are exactly why the Palisades will always be home.
Who’s the most interesting or inspiring person you’ve met here in the Palisades?
This is a tough question, but I have to say my dad. I’ve never been more proud to be his daughter. Growing up as a contractor’s daughter, we moved all over the Palisades, and it’s incredible to drive through the neighborhood and see the homes he built—not just for his clients, but for our family as well. What impresses me most are the relationships he has built and maintained over the years with the people whose homes he constructed decades ago. That kind of trust and respect is a true testament to the kind of man he is. My dad helped build more than just houses—he helped create a special place for many of us to call home.
Fire Reflection
What stands out most from your experience?
The day of the fires, I had just left Elyse Walker to drop off to a client when my good friend Hayley Skiba, who lives in the Highlands near my son and me, called and said, “Molly, there’s a fire up by us. You might want to run home and grab a few things, just in case.” I stopped by my parents’ house on Erskine, and while I was there, I got a call from my son’s school, Calvary, asking parents to pick up their kids. My dad drove us in his big red truck, and we were lucky to get there quickly—right before the chaos began. I’ve never felt winds like those that day, and I couldn’t believe how fast the fire came down the hill, right behind the school. People were running to find their kids, leaving their cars—it was absolute chaos. Through it all, I was so impressed with how the Calvary staff managed the situation and kept our kids safe. They were true heroes. After we picked up Indy, we returned to my parents’ home on Erskine and watched the fire rapidly approach. We never thought it would jump Sunset Boulevard, but the winds never stopped, and the sky grew darker by the minute. When the power went out, my dad and friend Mike Sindell—who was a tremendous help that day—climbed on the roof to hose down the house. I remember standing in the yard, watching embers rain down like a storm. Around 5 p.m., my dad finally said, “I think we should leave.” For him to say that—it was unbelievable. We quickly packed a few clothes and got in our cars. As we drove down the alley, the fire had already jumped Sunset without us realizing it. We continued to Temescal Canyon only to find the entire canyon engulfed in flames. We had to drive right through the fire to get to PCH—I could feel the heat through my car. It was surreal and terrifying. We made our way to my dad’s parents’ house in Santa Monica and learned a few hours later that their home had burned down, along with the rental house across the street—my mom’s childhood home on El Medio that my dad had rebuilt. They lost everything except the clothes on their backs. The next morning, I walked with my dad from Santa Monica back to Erskine, and seeing the flames still raging there was a moment I will never forget. That day, that experience—it still feels like it happened yesterday.
Was there someone — a neighbor, local hero, or group — that really made a difference for you during or after the fires?
There wasn’t just one specific person or organization—it was a collective effort of so many coming together to help. My work family, clients, friends, family, and even complete strangers all stepped up in incredible ways. I saw and experienced firsthand the kindness and generosity of so many people who just wanted to be there and offer support. To me, they are all heroes. It was truly inspiring to witness such unity and compassion.
What did the experience teach you about the Palisades or about yourself?
What I learned from all of this is that, no matter what happens, Pacific Palisades is and always will be the place I want to call home. It may take years to fully recover, but through it all, this is where I want to be—and where I want to raise my son. I’ve never been more proud to be part of such a special community.
A Few Fun Ones
What advice would you give to others — in life, work, or being a good neighbor?
I always say, “It’s nice to be nice.” You never know when a small act of kindness can make a big difference. In my work, I’ve been lucky to meet incredible people who have become like family. Being there for and supporting one another is something that always pays off in the end.
What’s something about you that would surprise most people?
Normally, I’d say people are surprised to learn that I’m an identical twin. But for those who are from and still live in the Palisades, they often remember seeing the two of us walking around or being out and about in town.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years, I see myself still living and working in the Palisades—continuing my journey at the new Elyse Walker location across the street in the Caruso building. I also look forward to watching my dad help rebuild and restore the Palisades, a community that means so much to all of us.
To reach Molly directly – https://elysewalker.com/pages/molly
