Some people walk into a room, and you just know they’re special. They’ve got an energy, a presence—maybe even a signature scent that turns heads. Well, my guest on The Debbie Nigro Show for this special Women's History Month edition is exactly that kind of person. Meet Sue Phillips, the internationally acclaimed fragrance expert, scent therapist, and newly honored Global Women Peace Ambassador!

If you love a great success story, the science of scent, and a little inspiration to keep going no matter what life throws your way, this is the episode you need to hear.

Sue Phillips: From Broadway Dreams to Fragrance Queen

Sue’s story is the kind of wild, unexpected career journey we all love. Originally from South Africa, she arrived in New York City chasing dreams of singing and acting. But when an immigration lawyer bluntly told her, “We have 20,000 out-of-work actresses. What else can you do?” she quickly pivoted.

💡 Turns out, she had a business background (thanks to her mother’s wise advice), which landed her a job as an executive assistant—a gig that eventually led to a six-year career at Elizabeth Arden, then to leadership roles at Lancôme and Tiffany & Co. (Yes, that Tiffany.)

Her claim to fame? Developing the first-ever Tiffany perfume and later Tiffany for Men. Not bad for a former aspiring actress, huh?

Reinventing Success – Over and Over Again

If there’s one theme to Sue’s life, it’s reinvention. Every time an industry shift or global crisis hit; she found a way to pivot.

When the 2008 economy crashed, she turned to the growing custom fragrance trend, creating scents for brands like Burberry, Avon, and Trish McEvoy.

When COVID-19 shut down her boutique, she unknowingly stumbled into a life-changing discovery—her ability to help people who lost their sense of smell due to COVID, asthma, and other illnesses.

She wrote a book, The Power of Perfume, which went viral and led to her helping over 250 people regain their sense of smell!

And now? She’s taking her Sue Phillips Fragrance brand global, with partnerships in Dubai and India.

The Science of Scent: Can Perfume Heal?

We all know scent is powerful—it can trigger memories, shift moods, and even attract a soulmate. But what Sue discovered during COVID was next level.

She calls it a “scent healing journey.” Using custom fragrance blends, she helped one woman regain her sense of smell after 15 months of nothing. And the results kept coming—hundreds of people found relief through her work.

Now, she’s writing a second book focused on scent therapy for COVID and asthma survivors.

Why Custom Perfume is the Future

We talked about something every perfume lover knows: A fragrance can smell amazing on someone else—but awful on you. That’s because body chemistry plays a HUGE role in how scents react. And that’s why custom perfumes are the future!

Sue is bringing her fragrance experiences to more people than ever with her Upper East Side boutique, Sue Phillips Fragrance. If you’re looking for a signature scent that’s uniquely YOU, she’s the woman to see.

Sue’s Secret to Success? The 4 P’s

Persistence Perseverance Passion

And, of course, Perfume!

Final Thoughts: Keep the Energy Moving

One thing Sue and I agree on? Energy is everything. If you keep pivoting, learning, and staying open, great things come full circle.

If you’ve got a gift, don’t stop sharing it.

And if you ever feel stuck? Maybe it’s time to shake things up and reinvent yourself—just like Sue Phillips did.

Want to hear the full story?

Listen to the podcast episode now!

Visit Sue’s boutique on the Upper East Side Check out her book, The Power of Perfume, on Amazon