I’ve always been fascinated by the paths people take. How life moves us quietly in different directions, then sometimes circles us back together when we least expect it. Out of nowhere it seemed, Susan and I kept running into each other. Familiar faces in an unfamiliar stretch of years. Eventually, we did what people do when coincidence gets persistent, we made a plan to actually sit down and catch up. That’s how I found myself sitting across from Susan Everett at my favorite coffee spot not long ago.
Prior to running into each other, we hadn’t seen each other in over twenty‑five years. Back then, we worked together at a company that today, no longer exists. Life moved on. Careers shift. Priorities change. Paths drift apart without intention or drama, just time doing what time does best. We talked about life, work, and all the unexpected turns in between. Susan’s background has always been in IT, structured, analytical, problem‑solving work. But what she shared next had little to do with code or systems, and everything to do with care, curiosity, and compassion.
Carol, a close friend of Susan's had been battling Parkinsons Disease. Like so many families trying to navigate chronic illness, they too were trying everything within reason. Traditional approaches hadn’t brought much relief, and the frustration of feeling stuck weighed heavily. It was through another connection that Susan was introduced to a line of natural wellness products. At that point, as she described it, the mindset wasn’t optimism or expectation, it was simply, “It couldn’t hurt to try.” Carol began using the products. Susan is very clear that this is not a story about cures, miracle claims or overnight transformations, but it is about something meaningful that did happen. Carol began to feel better. Small improvements. Better days. A noticeable difference in overall well‑being. For them, that mattered.
What started as concern for a friend sparked a deeper curiosity. Susan began asking questions, reading, learning, looking beyond labels and into formulation, sourcing, and intention. She dug further into the products that had helped. Products made by a company called Zilis, a wellness company founded in 2015 by Angie Thompson, built on the idea that wellness isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all solution, but a daily practice rooted in balance and connection. What stood out most to Susan wasn’t hype or promises, it was their philosophy. A focus on quality and respect for the body. Emphasis was placed on supporting wellness rather than chasing extremes.
Progress was good. Susan began sharing her story. Sharing information came naturally, and eventually, so did the decision to formally offer the products to others who were looking for thoughtful, wellness-focused options. Susan didn’t set out to find a new career. She simply followed the path that unfolded, one conversation, one question, one experience at a time.
Today, Zilis continues to grow as a leader in the wellness space, reaching people across the U.S. and beyond. But for Susan, the story isn’t about scale or expansion. It’s about that first moment of paying attention, watching someone she cared about start to feel a little better when traditional options felt limited, and choosing to follow curiosity instead of dismissing it.
As we finished our coffee, I was reminded why these stories matter. Behind every path is a purpose. One that is often a deeply human reason. A moment of concern. A spark of hope. A decision to try something new when the old ways aren’t enough. Paths don’t always cross by accident. Sometimes, they cross to remind us how personal every journey really is.
If you would like to learn more, please reach out to Susan at Susan_everett@hotmail.com, or view the entire product line at Zilis.com/susaneverett.
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