We had the good fortune of connecting with Sue Lockhart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sue, what makes you happy? Why?
What makes me happy is spending time with my family. My husband Clint and I have 3 grown children and none of them live here in San Diego anymore. So when we can spend time together it’s just the best. Especially since they now are parents, it’s so much fun getting to know the grandkids. Grandkids are really the best thing about being a parent.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been a Health and Safety Instructor (CPR/FIRST AID, etc.) since 1991 and started my own training business, Lockhart Training, in 2010. I still enjoy teaching and have built up a good business but starting Sandsusies with Carly helps fulfill my creative outlet. The work I do teaching CPR and other classes is very rewarding. I work with a lot of kids, offering workshops and classes with Girl Scouts and many Recreation Centers around town. I also enjoy doing classes at Birth Centers for new parents and grandparents. After we started Sandsusies, I realized how fun it is to have a family project that can bring us together when we live so far apart.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this city! My favorite things about San Diego are the beach and Mexican food. We love taking visitors to Cabrillo National Monument for walks along the cliffs and tidepools and the great views of San Diego Harbor and the city. Riding our bikes is another fun activity, especially in Coronado and Mission Bay. While down south we have to eat in Barrio Logan at Salud where the food is amazing(especially the ceviche and street corn) or if the line isn’t too long at Cuatros Milpas down the street. Two of the BEST Mexican places close to downtown San Diego. The San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are great places to get our daily walk in . Balboa park has some nice museums, but the SDMuseum of Art and the Timkin Art Museums are my favorites. The Timkin is a small museum but has some great paintings and it’s free. A fun day is lunch at Dirty Birds(best wings in SD) in Pacific Beach then head north along the coast to La Jolla. The coastline is one of the most beautiful with seals and sea lions around and snorkeling in the Cove in the summer. If you like BBQ go see Aly and Jeff at Bubbas Smokehouse BBQ and tell them we sent you. While in La Jolla the newly remodeled Museum of Contemporary Art is lovely and also if you’re lucky the Map Museum of La Jolla is a hidden gem! La Jolla Shores beach is just a bit north and has a fun playground that the grandkids love. Heading north again we can go to the Glider Port and watch hang gliders take off and land and if you need some exercise walk the steps down to Black Beach.
Continuing north there’s Torrey Pines State Park and Reserve with many trails and beautiful Torrey Pines trees. Other places to get wonderful Mexican food is Casa Machado at the Montgomery Field Airport, and Las Olas in Cardiff across from the beach. If you want more views the top of Mt Soledad gives a great 360 view of San Diego.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My daughter Carly, in Sacramento, is my partner in our Sandsusies Blankets venture. She is the one that first asked me if I could make a baby blanket for her newborn daughter in 2017. After making one small size blanket we realized the potential for some unique blankets and pretty soon everyone in the family wanted one. Carly is a hairdresser and is very creative and social media savvy. She set up a shop on ETSY and social media and Sandsusies Blankets was started! After about 3 years on Etsy, my son Nick, who is a CPA in Utah, suggested we should have a website and he gladly set one up. Nick’s wife Caitie happens to be a great photographer and with her photos, our website really came together. It has become a project for the whole family. Our daughter Cassie in Virginia and Carly’s husband Matt, both enjoy showing off the blankets to friends and coworkers. My husband Clint and I love trips to the warehouse to pick out blankets and styles. Having something to work on together brings us closer as a family.

Website: www.sandsusies.com, www.lockhart-training.com

Instagram: Sandsusies, Lockharttraining

Facebook: Sandsusies

Image Credits
Caitie Lockhart Photography

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