About the Author
Susan Loumagne was born and raised in Pennsylvania and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in business and systems management. After obtaining her degree from Rosemont College, Susan embarked on a successful career as a Fortune 500 executive coach and management consultant for a renowned international consulting firm.
Throughout her professional journey, Susan has been dedicated to creating efficient systems, streamlining processes, and implementing procedures that enhance quality management, employee productivity, and customer satisfaction. It was during a personal experience that Susan realized the importance of being well-prepared for life's unexpected events. This realization led her to develop The Personal Affairs Portfolio, a comprehensive system designed to help individuals proactively manage their personal affairs.
In 2010, Susan established 55+ Essential Services, a company built on the core principle she learned as a scout: "Be Prepared." With the creation of The Personal Affairs Portfolio, Susan has made it her mission to equip individuals with an easy-to-use tool that empowers them to compile essential information before it is urgently required, taking a proactive approach to life.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Susan finds joy in her role as a wife and mother. Alongside her husband, Patrick, she delights in entertaining guests, tending to her garden, and embarking on exciting adventures through traveling.
Our Story
Our story starts with a purple folder. In 2008, my mother was battling lung cancer and facing the realization that she could die from her illness. She told my siblings and me that there was a purple folder containing her final wishes. None of us asked to see it. We never talked about the folder’s contents because we trusted it would be there when we needed it. When my mother passed away, our grief was profound. To honor my mother, we knew her service should be exactly as she wanted. Unfortunately, the purple folder was never found. Without it, my family was left with many questions and disagreements over what her wishes might have been. The situation caused a rift between us that lingered far too long.
My Mother,
Dodie Hutchinson.
Within a year of my mother’s death, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Again, we were caught off-guard and left scrambling to manage his affairs. Six months after my dad’s diagnosis, I learned that my uncle had Alzheimer’s disease as well. A recent widower with no children, my uncle needed my assistance. I flew from my home to his Florida residence many times, making sure he received proper medical care and housing. Handling his finances was a time-consuming, stressful chore because the paperwork was in disarray. Although my uncle had written a will and done some estate planning, it became clear to me that preparation without organization is still a problem. I remember thinking:
“There has to be a better way.”
Since then, I have heard from many people with their own “purple folder” stories. These experiences became the catalyst behind creating The Personal Affairs Portfolio – a reliable, convenient tool to help us all get organized so that we can be better prepared to deal with life’s challenges. I've made The Portfolio an easy-to-use system that guides you step-by-step through the various categories of your life where you capture information that will be needed when you aren't able to share it. I believe a completed Personal Affairs Portfolio is truly a gift for yourself and others.
Warmly,
Susan Loumagne