Suzan Hughes is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, producer and founder of The Suzan Hughes Education Foundation (S.H.E.) and Herbalife Family Foundation.
Humanitarian, entrepreneur, comedian, producer and children’s advocate or just a few of the words that describe Susan Hughes. Surviving the childhood traumas of an orphanage in foster care gave use the determination to succeed and make a difference. Hughes and her husband Mark were the visionary team that built Herbalife into one of the most successful companies in the world in a little over a decade. Not satisfied to rest on her laurels, Hughes went on to create "Take 10 To a Better You" a wildly successful workout series, and the iconic Rollermax, a foam roller that changed the global fitness industry. With success firmly established, Hughes turned her energies into advocating for children through a variety of organizations that culminated in her cofounding Herbalife Family Foundation, which has helped millions of children in over 60 countries since 1994. Now, through her namesake, Susan Hughes Education Foundation, (S.H.E.), Hughes will continue her life‘s work of helping children.
What has been the impetus of your success?
Creating products that help others. At Herbalife, I developed multiple product categories including personal care products and supplements, while Mark’s incredible salesforce allowed us to take Herbalife’s amazing products worldwide. I then created my platinum selling workout serious “Take 10 To a Better You” which innovated fitness in small bites that add up to big successes and inspired my mantra, “your spirit carries you through life but your body carries you through the day”. The knowledge and confidence I gained from these endeavors led me to invent Rollermax, the therapeutic foam roller that has been in homes gyms and spas worldwide since 2001.
How did you become an activist for children’s health, education and well-being?
Surviving the childhood traumas of an orphanage in foster care inspired my passion to help children, to make a difference in their lives. As a Community Circle leader for the Maple Counseling Center in the Beverly Hills School District, I taught weekly classes for over seven years covering a broad range of subjects such as bullying and resolving personal issues. From there I partnered with former LAPD officer Jim Starr and chaired the “Gem Star” foundation where I became “Sergeant Sue” who conveyed messages of safety to over 20,000 children in the Los Angeles Unified School District. All of this inspired the mission for the Herbalife Family Foundation (S.H.E.) and now my own nonprofit foundation for children The Suzan Hughes Education Foundation. Our mission is in line with my life’s work to help children lead safer, more healthy lives.
What can we look forward to in 2019?
I will continue my advocacy for children by introducing several new initiatives at The Suzan Hughes Education Foundation. I am also working on the development and production of some important film and television projects. I am excited to continue the momentum from the first short film I produced which debuted at Cannes this year and look forward to producing meaningful content that promotes powerful messages. With that said, my life’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of children remains strong and will be my legacy.
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