Susan Alper has always had a gift for helping others make meaningful connections. Through business, events, and the art of conversation, she built a career centered around people. But years ago, her world unraveled. She lost her job. Then, her mother. And with those losses came the collapse of the identity she had carefully constructed. Once known as "the box lady" for her success in packaging and branding, that title now felt like a ghost of her former self.
Stripped of certainty, Susan found herself in unfamiliar territory, heartbroken and searching. But in that silence, something ancient stirred within her. A whisper that reminded her: she was born to create, to connect, and to sell, not just products, but possibilities.
A Turning Point: The Phone Call That Changed Everything
At her lowest point, Susan felt like she had hit rock bottom. But deep down, she never lost sight of her true calling: as an entrepreneur, a saleswoman, and a connector. Her instinct for promotion and deal-making had always been her greatest asset. Still, in that moment, she felt lost.
Seeking inspiration, she looked to someone known for overcoming tremendous setbacks: Donald Trump. His ability to bounce back from collapse and reinvent himself struck a chord with her. She didn’t have much in the way of tech skills, but she was determined. She found an email and reached out to them. No answer. She tried again. Still silence.
But Susan isn’t one to give up. She picked up the phone and dialed Trump’s office, again and again, hanging up each time. Finally, someone answered. “Who’s calling?” the woman asked. “Susan from Canada,” she replied.
To her astonishment, she was transferred. A voice answered: “Hello, this is Mr. Trump.” In shock, Susan hung up
That moment, though brief, became a turning point. It reminded her of the power of persistence. Her instincts and network were still there. She just needed to trust them again.
Business as a Path to Healing
Even during personal health challenges, Susan was still networking. From her hospital bed, she handed out business cards to doctors, nurses, and patients. Her passion for business and connecting people never wavered. She began to see a more profound truth: by helping others heal and grow, she was healing herself.
Kabbalah played a decisive role in her transformation. The ancient wisdom taught her that every negative experience contains a hidden lesson. If you pause, reflect, and stay open, the Creator reveals the purpose behind the pain. That’s precisely what happened to Susan. Loss forced her to rebuild. However, in doing so, she discovered something even more remarkable.
People began to call her “the real Barbie.” Not because of her love of pink, though that’s certainly part of her style. But because of her resilience. Like Barbie, Susan didn’t give up. She fell, got back up, and reinvented herself. From fashion and men’s wear to the steel industry and event promotion, she adapted and thrived.
Rebuilding with Connections and Intuition
Susan’s true strength lies in her ability to connect people and create opportunity. She’s helped build brands, sometimes without even realizing the depth of her impact. Her friend Charles, for example, sold his company to KPMG, a milestone made possible, in part, by her efforts.
Her business intuition was always ahead of its time. In the '80s, before social media, she packed clubs and restaurants with 200 people on a Tuesday night, purely by word of mouth. She introduced concepts like serving outside food in nightclubs, long before it became trendy. She also recognized the value of business matchmaking well before it gained mainstream recognition.
While visiting Miami, she met Kevin O’Leary, also known as Mr. Wonderful. He told her, “Use your connections. Expand. Grow.” That moment confirmed what Susan already knew: her purpose was to build bridges between people and businesses.
The Transformative Power of Bartering
When Susan launched her business, cash flow was limited, but her dreams were big. A friend introduced her to the world of bartering, and everything changed. She traded her talents for essentials: a website, business cards, and legal advice. It wasn’t just about saving money. It was about creating relationships rooted in trust.
One of her most memorable exchanges involved a barterer who truly believed in her. His support helped her navigate the uncertainty of those early days. That relationship, like so many she cultivated, became a cornerstone of her growth.
Even today, bartering is central to Susan’s business. It’s not just a tool, it’s a philosophy. It’s about relationships, integrity, and building something greater than money alone can buy.
As her creative partner once said, “No good deed goes unpunished.” But Susan has learned that when you help others, you attract the right people into your life. Bartering, at its best, isn’t about deals; it’s about making dreams come true.
Kabbalah and a Higher Calling
Kabbalah gave Susan the lens to view her setbacks as spiritual lessons. She learned to release ego, nurture her soul, and remain grounded in faith. Her journey became a “rags-to-riches” story, not just financially, but also emotionally and spiritually.
She lives by the belief that everyone deserves respect, from CEOs to those on the street. When you lift others, you find your strength. Through Kabbalah, Susan embraced resilience, kindness, and unwavering trust in a greater purpose.
Helping Others Rise
When Charles asked for her help growing his firm, Susan threw herself into it, networking, bringing in clients, even helping with collections. One day, he said, “Had I met you when I started, I’d be as big as KPMG.”
Eventually, Charles and his partners sold the firm and retired comfortably. Susan’s contributions helped lay that foundation. That’s what she does: she helps people and businesses transform.
From her early days working security in her Aunt Bessie’s fashion store to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Susan has never stopped growing. Her mother, a pioneering businesswoman, taught her the value of vision, resilience, and lifting others. Her parents’ international business success exposed her to the world from a young age. Those lessons shaped her journey.
She didn’t just rebuild herself; she built a thriving business rooted in connection, value creation, and generosity. Even in the hospital, Susan continued to do what she loved: making connections. Her drive never slowed.
Today, she stands as a testament to what’s possible when you refuse to quit. Her story isn’t over; it’s still being written. She’s more determined than ever to expand, innovate, and help others succeed.
If there’s one lesson Susan Alper wants you to remember, it’s this:
"No matter how many times you fall, you can reinvent yourself. With persistence, faith, and of course, the right connections, success is always within reach, so keep reaching."
And if you’re lucky enough to meet her, you’ll know you’re in the presence of someone who doesn’t just talk about connections. She lives it!
Susan Alper... A connector, a builder, and a woman who never gives up.
Paul Laflamme bénéficie d’une vaste expérience dans le développement d’entreprises. Cette expérience diversifiée couvre les domaines des medias de communication, le journalisme, le tourisme, le divertissement et les nouvelles technologies.
