Susan Hougui

Never give up. If change is needed then change but do it and keep going.

 

Susan has battled cancer, has had several businesses and lives with Fibromyalgia while starting and running a growing food business that is a success today. After traveling overseas Susan was staying with a family that lived Gluten Free. She saw a product that was different and had not made its appearance in the US as of then. No one had a gluten free puff pastry dough. Seeing the need she reached out and tried to get the product to the states, quickly finding out the logistics was a nightmare. After contacting a friend in the food business Steven Leyva, and deciding to start a business with him, Geefree was born. Susan then created a gluten free puff pastry dough, which still no one had and there was a demand for. She recalls early on doing a consumer tasting event where a women walked up to the booth and proceeded to taste one of the products which is the Frank in a Blanket. The women closed her eyes and slowly began to chew. Suddenly tears started rolling down her cheek. She stated that she hadn’t been able to eat any kind of food like this for 20 years. Not expecting this reaction, it was then that Susan realized this was much more of a need, it was a basic, deep emotional void that only certain foods can fill and Geefree was one of them.

Where did the idea for Geefree Foods come from?

The idea of Geefree came from a trip overseas where I saw a product that I knew was need in the US.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I work fro my home office most days which starts off by taking care of my cats. I then listen to the news and start hitting a list of priorities written at the end of the previous day.

How do you bring ideas to life?

One step at a time…literally.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Learning to eat healthier and reading food labels.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Once i’m determined to do something, moving forward is the only option. Sometimes moving backwards happens as well.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Always believe in yourself.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

No matter what the outcome in life, it always works out.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Never give up. If change is needed then change but do it and keep going.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Selling from the heart. Sincerity and humility with a willingness to really listen.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Geefree is my 4th food business. After the other projects failed, I would give myself some time to grieve and heal. Doing that enable me to get on my feet again and move forward.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

It seems that plant based proteins are going to be eaten more regularly in the future. A food item made with PBP that no one has would be a good idea.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

A massage, I have many autoimmune issues so this really helps relieve the stress from my body.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Microsoft Power Point, I use it for product presentations.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

The Second Mountain by David Brooks.
I love the premise of it’s never to late to find yourself and your purpose.

What is your favorite quote?

by Arianna Huffington:
“But you have to do what you dream of doing even while you’re afraid”

Key Learnings:

• Perspective is EVERYTHING!
• The harder the life lesson the more “gifts” you receive even though for me, most of the time, the “gifts” were not what I expected.
• Connecting with people is very important as we are all vital to each other.

Connect:

[email protected]
Visit us at: www.geefree.com
Like us on: www.facebook.com/geefreeglutenfree