COUNTRY VS. TOWN: SUSIE THORPE

SUSIE THORPE was born in Hinsdale. She attended Monroe Elementary School, Hinsdale Middle School, and Hinsdale Central, graduating in 1999. “I remember a childhood filled with days riding my bike around town with friends and long summer days spent swimming and playing tennis at Salt Creek Club,” Susie says.

College brought her to Mizzou, where she originally wanted to study broadcast journalism, then quickly found the field of speech-language pathology. She earned a Bachelor of Health Science while enjoying four wonderful collegiate years, then moved to Boston for graduate school at Northeastern University.

“After cold midwestern winters followed by even colder east coast winters, I was ready for a change and warmer weather. When searching for a first job, I looked to southern California, where I was lucky enough to land my dream job at Rady Children’s Hospital, where I worked for many of the early years of my career as a speech language pathologist. I lived and worked in San Diego for 17 years, during which I met my husband, Ian. Originally from the Bay Area, Ian moved to San Diego for college at UCSD, where he stayed and was working as an entrepreneur when we met. We had three kids, and then during the pandemic we did what many people did and reevaluated what was important to us. As much as I loved living in southern California, I really missed small-town life and wanted my kids to have the type of childhood I remembered — riding bikes to school, walking into town, and having the freedom that comes with living in a tight-knit community,” Susie tells us.

Now, her life now is filled to the brim with all of the best things. It is busy days that begin in the early morning and end with collapsing into bed each night. Life is full! Susie runs a small business and keeps up with three kids — Lyla, 14, Kiera, 12, and Luca, 9. “With two full-time working parents is hectic, but we make time for the things that are important: friends, family, and travel,” she says.

Do you have a mantra? “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”—Nelson Mandela. This is the mantra that ran through my head constantly while creating and growing Seasons Therapy Group from the ground up. What’s on your reading stack? I read and listen to audiobooks constantly and usually have two or three books going at a time, with a combination of fiction and non-fiction. Recent favorites: Die With Zero, Dare to Lead, Radical Candor, Yesteryear, and anything by Kristin Hannah. Favorite travel spots? We travel a lot! In the past two years alone, we have been fortunate to travel to London, Paris, Italy, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, and we spent three weeks in Australia during the Christmas holidays. My husband and I have also committed to going away each year in February for our anniversary—Jumby Bay earned top billing.

Products you’ve been loving lately? I swear by SkinCeuticals, and as a fair-skinned redhead I use EltaMD sunscreen daily, as well as Prequel lip SPF—I love their new tinted lip glosses. I am also loyal to all of the fabulous products made by Megababe, my good friend’s company. Favorite summer tradition or activity? Everything is better in the summer! I love how walkable Hinsdale is, so we try to take advantage of our local restaurants, the farmers market, and Uniquely Thursdays.

WHEN IN COUNTRY

What’s your go-to outfit? Most days it’s jeans, a casual top, and a blazer or jacket. I need to be pulled together but comfortable for work, since I never know what the day has in store for me as a business owner—one second, I’m meeting with an employee, the next I’m outside solving a flooding issue, and then I have to pivot to jumping on the trampoline in our sensory gym to help a client regulate! When I’m off and with my family or running errands, I’m in athleisure almost 100% of the time. Is there anything you can’t leave the house without? I always have water and coffee, my phone, AirPods, and sunglasses. Where do they know you by name? I frequent many local businesses regularly—Ten Friends, Vintage Charm, Starbucks—but the checkers at Trader Joe’s really know me well. Between cooking and the meal prep we do to keep our weeks organized at home, and the food items I buy for our feeding therapy services at the Seasons clinic, I am there often and always on the hunt for fun, new recipes and foods. Describe your perfect day? It would start with a workout at Shred415 or Burn Boot Camp. I’d make breakfast with my kids, and then we would head to various sports activities. I would volunteer with my daughters in the afternoon for National Charity League, maybe at Birches Retirement Home or at the Courtyard. In the evening, my husband and I would go out to dinner or meet friends for dinner.

WHEN IN TOWN

What’s in your bag? City days typically mean we are out for long stretches, so I would have all of my usual items plus my trusty Anker power bank. Describe your perfect day? We love to do an annual holiday staycation, and Maggie Daley Park is a family favorite—we like to bring our ice skates, maybe walk to the Art Institute, and then end up at Le Colonial or RL for dinner before heading back to our hotel to swim or watch a movie. We are so lucky to live in this beautiful city! Best quick bite or hidden gem? I love the old architecture of the Chicago Athletic Association—Cindy’s rooftop is on everyone’s top-ten list, and I love it too, but the Game Room there is a fun, lesser-known place that’s nice for taking a break. Do you have a favorite museum? I love the Museum of Science and Industry.