Samantha: Given the 10 year age gap between your kids, do you feel like you have raised them differently than one another?

Susie: Yes. With my son who is 16 I was on bed rest during my pregnancy--for 5 months! I had to sell my stores, stop working in television, and basically gave up all that I had worked so hard for just to ensure his well being. After I had him I was up every two hours around the clock nursing him. Then he developed colic. It took me a few years just to sleep through the night! When he went to school I decided to go back to work and I'm very happy I did.

Samantha: How did you do things differently with your second child?

Susie: With my daughter, who we adopted, I never skipped a beat. I continued to work and juggle family and she was used to mommy traveling and working. She is very independent and it's normal to her that I travel. With the first one I never even left him for at least three years. I was overprotective and a nervous wreck half the time! I was very relaxed with the second one.

Samantha: What is a typical day like for you?

Susie: I try and get at least 7 hours of sleep. I'm up between 7 and 8am to get the little one ready. I drop the kids at school and have conference calls on the way back. Then a full day of calls, designing, interviews, writing or shooting a TV show. I travel quite a bit and those days are packed from morning until night. I have a large program with Mervyns and I'm constantly designing and developing product. I also have a flower line with Calyx and Corolla and a garden glove line. It never ends and it's fun! I call it "good stress."

Samantha: How do you handle traveling for work? Do you have any pre-trip rituals?

Susie: None. I do not talk to my kids at the same time every day and sometimes I don't get to speak to them at all because of the time change. I generally bring the little one a present, but not always. I like change and I don't like routine so I try and be spontaneous. This way they are not put off when things change. For my lifestyle this works out better. We do not do the "I'm going to miss you" routine. This makes it less dramatic and I organize their lives so that nothing changes for them. I will make sure there are extra play dates and extracurricular activities or that their dad comes more often so that they are busy and happy. This approach has worked out very well. I don't like long goodbyes and tears. Better to keep it light and then you don't get all of that drama.

Samantha: If there is one piece of advice you could give to other moms what would it be?

Susie: When you are developing a business, especially as an entrepreneur, it's 24/7 if you want to be successful. I no longer feel that women should give up their own personal goals just for their children-otherwise they will be miserable. There are many aspects to leading a full and rich life and having children is only one of those aspects, even though a main one. Children are resilient and parents set an example for their kids every day. Both my parents worked and my mom wasn't home every day and all of us kids are overachievers, have very successful careers, and could make it anywhere in the world if we had to. There is a lot to be said for working parents and their work ethic. They instilled that in us and it's a great gift to be able to give that to your children through good example.

Samantha: Are there any women that you admire for how they balance their lives?

Susie: I have one friend who used to be the CEO of a company and she had to take a car for an hour and �½ everyday to get to work. She juggled career and family and two of her kids ended up at Stanford. She also has a wide social circle, travels a lot and plays golf! She is an incredible friend and always there when you need her. Her secret is that she plans well in advance, maximizes her time and keeps her appointments once made. She is very reliable.

Samantha: You are known as a high energy TV personality. Do you ever just have days where life exhausts you and you don't feel like smiling?

Susies: Yes, I think we all do. Generally it is when I haven't gotten any sleep, feel burned out from travel, or when I'm just creatively blocked due to too many stressful situations. I find that it's best to just throw on my sweats and go for a walk. I look around and notice life and nature all around me. By the time I return I've generally forgotten why I went on the walk in the first place. I come back with a fresh view and I'm ready to tackle the issues at hand. Sometimes walking away from things for a bit and coming back is the best way to handle them.

To learn more about Susie Coelho visit her at www.susiecoelho.com

Samantha Ettus is a new mother and the creator of The Experts' Guide series. Her third book, The Experts' Guide to the Baby Years, a collection of chapters from the 100 leading parenting experts, was released by Crown Books in October, 2006. You can learn more at www.expertsmedia.com Comments? Email Samantha at

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