Suzanne Boyd and her dog Sophia, a Chihuahua whippet mix, sit in the Gulf Stream home in which Boyd raises two children. Boyd formed her own production company after retiring from her job on the local CBS-TV morning show. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Stephen Moore
Suzanne Boyd seemed to be living a dream life. She spent 20 years as an award-winning journalist for CBS12 in West Palm Beach and was the co-anchor of the station’s morning show. She was one of the most recognizable TV personalities in the area.
But something was missing — quality time with her two children, daughter Laine, 13, and son Trace, 9.
She was fed up with going to bed at 6:30 p.m., working the morning show and getting home after the kids had already gone to school.
So, she did something about her lifestyle. She retired from the news business in September 2018. Now she has time for her children and more time for herself.
“I can go to bed with them,” she said, “wake up with them, go to their school events. We can go away and work remotely.”
After a few months of experiencing retirement, Boyd finds that she is as busy as ever. She has just rearranged her schedule. She formed Suzanne Boyd Productions and has created, with former CBS12 anchor Eric Roby, a morning digital talk show called Rise+Live with Roby and Suze.
She produces a digital livestream show with psychotherapist Shannon Thompson Jones called What Your Friends Won’t Tell You. She also makes time to do a podcast called People of Palm Beach, and she co-wrote The Dream Pillow, a storybook.
These days, she works by her own schedule and has plenty of time for her children.
“I realized in the process it wasn’t my schedule or my job that made me a busy person,” she said. “Suzanne Boyd is just a busy person and that is not going to change. I enjoy being busy and I love what I’m doing. It is a lot of fun.”
Neighbors in Place Au Soleil in Gulf Stream have also been reintroduced to Boyd, who is 46 and divorced.
“I started to be more social in the neighborhood by walking my dog more often, so I see people a lot more,” she said. “But in the last six months I’ve met many more of my neighbors than I ever did when I was doing the morning TV show.”
Sounds like mission accomplished for Boyd. More time for the children. Revamped work schedule. And more time for herself.
“I love being around people and make my living in the public eye, but I recharge by being alone,” she said. “Yoga and quiet time feed my soul. I even found walking on the beach. I never used to do this or go watch the sunrise because I was always inside when the sun rose. But watching the sunrise, those little things that people take for granted. Those are the things that I really do appreciate.”
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school? How do you think that has influenced you?
A: I grew up in a tiny town in North Florida called Monticello. My dad is a sixth-generation Florida farmer, so I grew up working in the fields. I think that taught me the value of hard work. But I also HATED farm life and wanted badly to leave Monticello. I went to University of Florida to study journalism and never looked back.
Q: What professions have you worked in? What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: I’ve been working since I was 13. I started in the fields as a cotton scout and harvesting nursery stock. I also worked at the local pharmacy fountain as a soda jerk and cashier, and then as a bartender and waitress in college.
I started working in TV and radio in college and got my first reporting gig in Sarasota after college. I was at CBS12 in West Palm Beach for 20 years before retiring from the news business and starting my own company. I’m most proud of our coverage during hurricanes. Even though it was exhausting, it felt like that was the most important job — being there for our community during a frightening and difficult time.
Q: What advice do you have for a young person seeking a career today?
A: Be true to yourself. Never compromise your values. Do what you love.
Q: How did you choose to make your home in Place Au Soleil in Gulf Stream?
A: I had a friend who lived in Place Au Soleil and absolutely loved the neighborhood. I found out that Bernard and Stephanie Molyneux were renovating a home in here and I made them an offer when the home was completely gutted because I knew if it went on the market it would be gone in a heartbeat.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Gulf Stream?
A: The community feel, the people and the police officers. When I was working at CBS12 and waking up at 2:30 a.m., the officers would often wait at the end of my street to make sure I got out the door and in my car safely. They really care about our community.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: The Opposable Mind, by Roger Martin. It was a gift from a local CEO who said it helped him in business.
Q: What music do you listen to when you want to relax? When you want to be inspired?
A: Any music! I love music. I’m a huge Dave Matthews fan. I’ve probably seen him in concert close to 100 times.
Q: Have you had mentors in your life? Individuals who have inspired your life decisions?
A: My parents are my original mentors. My mom taught me kindness and empathy. My dad taught me tenacity and to work hard. I’m also inspired by strong, intelligent women. I’ve always looked up to Oprah and Katie Couric.
Q: If your life story were to be made into a movie, who would play you?
A: I love Kate Winslet and I’ve always wanted to have a British accent.
Q: Who/what makes you laugh?
A: My kids.
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