LIFESTYLE GURU, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR & TELEVISION HOST -

-SUSIE COELHO-

 

Lifestyle Expert Susie Coelho is the founder and CEO of her own multi-media lifestyle company, Susie Coelho Enterprises, Inc. (www.susiecoelho.com), the host of two HGTV primetime series, Surprise Gardener and Outer Spaces, and a best-selling author with four books to her name, including Style Your Dream Wedding, Secrets of a Style Diva: A Get-Inspired Guide to Your Creative Side, Styling for Entertainment, and Everyday Styling.

 

Susie has also been a contributor to numerous network television shows including NBC's Today show, ABC-TV's The View and Oprah for her expertise in home decor, gardening, cooking, entertainment and wedding.

 

She designs a line of "Signature" products for Grandin Road (www.grandinroad.com) with indoor and outdoor furniture and seasonal home decor. Her licensing portfolio has included over 1500 skus at retail.

 

One of the most dynamic and forward-thinking business entrepreneurs in the country, Susie is aggressively pursued on the speaking circuit for her motivational and inspirational messages of personal empowerment and business excellence. She is also regularly called upon for her business acumen by the likes of ABC News, CNN, and the Fox Business Network where she serves, along with a handful of other business luminaries, as one of the "Cavuto All Stars" on host Neil Cavuto's popular business program. 

 

 Where do you live and how do you get to work?

 

I have homes in Los Angeles and Palm Desert, California. I get to work by foot, car, train, plane or even rickshaw if I'm in my homeland of India! 

 

 What interesting jobs have you had?

 

I was a secretary for the National Heart and Lung Institute in Bethesda, Maryland during my first year at American University. I would drive up to my government job at NIH, right across the street from Walter Reed Hospital, in my white Camaro convertible with black racing stripes, dressed in white vinyl over-the-knee boots and a mini-skirt! They never said a word since I was a pretty mean typist!

 

Then, I moved to New York City to model with Ford Models and did Alice Cooper's fan mail to pay the rent. I would drag that mail bag from the post office to the apartment on 14th and 5th that I shared with three other starving models! Later, I opened up a restaurant (Bono's) on Melrose and La Cienega with my ex Sonny Bono. Then, I started a retail boutique on Melrose called "A Star Is Worn" that sold celebrity collectibles. After that, there was my journalistic venture to India to interview the famous Phoolan Devi, the "Bandit Queen," in prison. My life has and continues to be an adventure that I create everyday.

  

Is the world a better place than 20 years ago?

 

Well...technology has allowed us to communicate faster and have access to information in a way that we only dreamed about 20 years ago. However, many things are worse: the literacy level, the poor educational system, crime, terrorism in the U.S., and drugs, along with the drugging of children and people's dependence on drugs for almost any ailment.

 

What in your life do you feel most grateful for? 

 

My children first, our good health, and the fact that I am able to do what I love. I am grateful for the strong work ethic and love of the arts that my parents made sure we experienced. I am very proud of my family, from my brother George Coelho (who was voted #1 Venture Capitalist in Britain, has a rock and roll band and does road rallies all over the world), to my musicologist brother Victor Coelho (Associate Provost at Boston University who also has a blues band). We all live by the same motto which is to work hard, live life to the fullest, cook, travel, and play music! 

 

What is your biggest challenge?

 

Time. There is just not enough of it. Also, helping others improve their lives.

 

 What is your wildest dream?

 

To be First Lady- because the White House really needs a makeover!

 

 If heaven really exists, what would God say to you as you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

 

 Hey... we are trying to relax up here. I'm sending you back!