For me, change has manifested in many forms: emigrating from South Africa to the USA, moving to more than 35+ apartments in New York City (in over 45+ years) forging a career with major fragrance companies, marrying different husbands, discovering motherhood; shifting neighborhoods, becoming a fragrance expert and—as of 8 days ago —starting fresh in Sarasota. Yes, Sarasota! A city filled with culture, art, music, theatre, opera, and creativity… all my passions in one place.
Each transition carried uncertainty, but also opportunity. Over time, I realized that change isn’t about endings—it’s about evolution. It’s about embracing resilience, creativity, and the unknown with courage, excitement and positivity! Over the course of my amazing and exciting career I have relentlessly pursued the 6 P’s: Passion, Persistence, Perseverance, Purpose, Professionalism, Perfume
My entire career has been serendipitous! From my life as an actress at 10 years old in South Africa to emigrating to NY and starting a career in the cosmetic industry with executive positions at Elizabeth Arden, Lancôme and Tiffany & Co.—developing the first iconic Tiffany perfume; being retained to create fragrance brands by clients Burberry, Avon, Trish McEvoy and Oilily; becoming an expert witness in legal disputes; forming my company Scenterprises; opening my first custom perfume boutique The Scentarium; creating custom perfumes for A-list celebrities Jamie Foxx, Katie Holmes, Zendaya, Laurence Fishburne, Susan Sarandon; presenting corporate team-building events & scent dinners for Fortune 500 companies; and creating bespoke perfumes for thousands of clients; pivoting during the pandemic; writing my book The Power of Perfume; and helping hundreds of people regain their sense of smell during COVID; reopening my fabulous boutique on the Upper East Side, Sue Phillips Fragrance; presenting masterclasses for Coty Maison Orveda; all while continuing my love of acting with my weekly PAGES group, to writing my second book about the magic and mystery of fragrance and how I have helped hundreds of anosmia sufferers regain their olfactory sense—to be published soon in collaboration with a neuroscientist Dr. Mila Emerald.
I shall only be a plane ride away and am available to create and present multi-scent-sory events and speaking engagements in NYC and all over the country! I’m excited for this new change.
Check out the spectacular views I have from my apartment and new perfume boutique. Come and visit!
I’d love to hear: how has change shaped your own journey?