Susan Beth – aka Sueb. – was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. Her first word was, “sale,” and by five, she had an eye for trends. She predicted pet rocks would be more popular than the Jackson 5. Her Saturday afternoons were spent making colorful signs and setting up tables to sell lemonade and tadpoles to customers that passed by her street in Andover, Massachusetts. By thirteen, her talent for selling, and passion for art, turned into her first business. Sue hand painted barrettes and sold them at recess.
After graduating from Simmons College in 1984, she moved to Virginia and opened up her first pushcart called Color Me, selling hand painted t-shirts and boxer shorts to tourists at the Waterside Marketplace. When she could not keep up with the demand of painting boxer shorts, hand painting turned into silk-screening. Her million-dollar company was launched and Boxer Rebellion was born. Licenses were granted from The Simpson’s and Disney and the printed boxer shorts were sold at college bookstores and department stores across the country, as well as resorts in Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.
After four years of success, Sue sold her business and moved back to Boston to start a family. Soon after she founded a new business called, Only in America. She ran three different pushcarts, selling the latest trends. Looney Tunes, Betty Boop, The Flintstones and Life is Good shirts were all very popular.
After the birth of her first daughter, Sue decided that working seven days a week, twelve hours a day, was counterproductive to the schedule of an infant let alone any sort special time with her husband. She brought her business into her home and continued her endeavors part time but within four years had twins. With three daughters running around the living room, dripping finger paint, and with Sue’s passion for art, she developed From the HeArt, a kid’s art class taught straight from her basement in Wellesley. This became Sue’s passion for the next five years. She loved watching children express themselves thru art and be proud of their work. And, of course, she encouraged her students to sell their crafts during snack time.
When Sue’s twins walked to their first day of school, Sue waved goodbye with one hand and with the other, flipped open her cell phone and calendar. She began flying around like a Bee, selling fun products once again, creating a buzz in her wake. This time, however, Sue, ingeniously, chose when and where to work, by bringing her products to the customer. Direct-to-consumer is the business model she thrives on today. Markets she sells to consist of college campuses, philanthropic events, craft shows, home parties, and trade shows in and around the Boston area as well as on Cape Cod. Sue learned that connecting to each customer personally, has tremendous value and creates loyalty.
In the last year, Sue realized that her best summer memories, have been with her family on the Cape, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Sue became so inspired by these areas, she developed a product line representing the beauty, fun and character of the Cape. With the support of her husband and daughters, Sue launched Sueb.do.
The painted images Sue created on those barrettes many years ago, live on today. Bees, whales, plaids, and flowers continue to inspire her growing line of preppy products.
Summer of 2010, Sueb.do and the happy preppy bee will be opening a store at the Popponesset Marketplace at New Seabury in Mashpee.
