
Susan is the creator of a life filled with healing and forgiveness, replacing sadness with joy.
In Vancouver 2003, my 15-year love affair in the hotel industry ended abruptly one Monday morning, coincidentally after I had asked the universe for a sign the night before as to what I should do regarding a work dilemma. Going into my office that morning, I was given that sign loud and clear and there was no mistake that I was to walk away from my catering manager position and move on into the unknown. Yikes, what was I going to do now!?
The gift of time was mine, and I took two years off, a sabbatical if you will, and was in no real hurry to jump into whatever it was that I was meant to jump into next.
I did a lot of reading and writing and kept hearing the words that my Mom said to me one day when I was a little girl helping her rearrange the living room furniture. Whatever I did impressed her enough to say, “you should become an interior decorator.” I was intrigued by that notion and was obsessed with decorating magazines at a very young age, but certainly never thought I could make a successful career out of it.
Well, my doubt and confusion ended quickly one night. I was standing in my kitchen listening to Wayne Dyer on PBS tell the story about the old man lying in his hospital bed. The old man looked up at his wife and said, “honey what if my whole life was wrong?” At that moment, the old man died. Wayne’s words that came next were like a lightning bolt that instantly destroyed any and all fear of what was going to come next for me. Wayne said, “don’t die with your music still in you.” Well, that was it, done! Decision made!
I enrolled in an Interior Decorating program, received my diploma, and in 2006 Suze Interiors was born. This year I celebrate 15 years of decorating and staging homes.
In 2013, I relocated to Collingwood Ontario, and started my business all over again with a knowing that if I can make it work in Vancouver, I can make it work in Collingwood. On a soul level, I knew that this was my calling and truly what I am meant to do. Business is rocking, and I often pinch myself. In addition to the staging and decorating, in February 2020, one month prior to the pandemic, I opened a 3200 square foot furniture rental business, again with a strong belief that this is what I am meant to do.
So, what truly defines success and happiness for me? Certainly not fancy cars and expensive clothes, it’s doing what I love, loving what I do, and giving thanks for the wise words I received from my Mom when I was just an unknowing and naïve young girl.
If you are contemplating, wondering, or afraid to make a change in your life, heed the words from Wayne and “don’t die with your music still in you!”