Unleashing Strength: Thriving After Adversity with Gratitude and Confidence

What if confidence isn’t about having it all figured out—but about trusting yourself to keep going anyway?

In this powerful episode of Her Unshakeable Confidence, Simone and Olivia sit down with nationally renowned interior designer and entrepreneur Susan Semmelmann, founder of Semmelmann Interiors. Susan shares her remarkable journey—from caregiving through her husband’s rare cancer diagnosis to launching a thriving luxury design brand later in life, rooted in faith, generosity, and purpose.

Together, they explore what it truly means to rebuild after loss, embrace reinvention at any age, and choose gratitude and resilience even in the hardest seasons. Susan offers honest wisdom on fear, failure, confidence, and why it’s never too late to follow the call on your life. This episode is a reminder that confidence is built from alignment, courage, and showing up—again and again.

✅ Actionable Takeaways

Confidence Is Built, Not Performed
True confidence comes from knowing who you are and staying aligned with your values—not from perfection or external validation.
Do It Scared
You don’t need all the answers to move forward. Take the leap, learn as you go, and trust yourself to figure it out.
Gratitude Changes Everything
Choosing gratitude—even in devastating circumstances—can shift your mindset and help you move forward with resilience.
It’s Never Too Late to Start Over
Whether you’re an empty nester, changing careers, or redefining your purpose, every season of life holds new possibilities.
Your Inner Dialogue Matters
What you say to yourself every morning shapes your confidence, your courage, and your capacity to handle what comes next.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 — Introduction

01:30 — Susan’s Calling, Business, and Philosophy of Giving

06:15 — Starting Over Later in Life and Taking the Leap

13:45 — Caregiving, Cancer, and Choosing Gratitude

18:50 — Resilience, Faith, and Finding a New Normal

24:10 — Reinvention, Failure, and Trying New Paths

31:40 — Aging, Empty Nesting, and Embracing the Next Chapter

39:30 — What Confidence Really Means

41:05 — The Best Advice Susan Ever Received

43:10 — Final Thoughts and Where to Find Susan

✨ About Susan Semmelmann

Susan Semmelmann is a nationally renowned designer, leading industry expert, and sought after entrepreneur behind one of Texas’s fastest growing and most highly recognized luxury design firms. As the founder of Semmelmann Interiors, she has transformed more than 500 million dollars in residential design and built an industry leading brand rooted in service, excellence, and purpose. Her award winning work, celebrated in top national publications, reflects her belief that beauty is a gift and generosity is a calling.

Connect with Susan Semmelmann:

Website: https://www.semmelmanninteriors.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susansemmelmanninteriors/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/semmelmanninteriors/

Pinterest: https://ph.pinterest.com/susansemmelmanninteriors/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-semmelmann

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Simone Knego is an international speaker, award-winning author and two-time TEDx Speaker. Her work has been featured on ABC, NBC, and CBS and in Entrepreneur Magazine and Yahoo News. Her literary contributions have been honored by the National Indie Excellence Award and the NYC Big Book Award. Simone has not only summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, but she is also the heart of a bustling household with six children, three dogs, and one husband of 31 years. As the creator of the REAL Method, Simone continues to inspire and impact teams, fostering growth, and promoting self-discovery.

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Unleashing Strength: Thriving After Adversity with Gratitude and Confidence

✅ Actionable Takeaways

⏱️ Chapters