Spotlight sat down for an exclusive interview with renowned businesswoman Loren Ridinger to discuss her debut novel Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up?
After losing her beloved husband and business partner, JD Ridinger, Loren had two choices; she could either let her grief consume her or find the strength to rebuild her life.
Hear all about how Ridinger re-wrote her own story after losing the love of her life.
You’re a co-founder and CEO. What made you decide to add “author” to your long list of attributes?
I never set out to become an author. After losing JR, my world completely shifted. Writing became a way to process my grief, to make sense of the pain, and to rediscover who I was without him. As I started sharing my journey, I realized that so many people were struggling with their own losses, and if my story could help even one person feel less alone, then it was worth writing.
Tell us about your debut book Scrambled or Sunny Side-Up? How did you find the strength to tell your story?
This book is deeply personal—it’s about love, loss, and ultimately, finding yourself again after everything falls apart. Losing JR shattered me, and for a long time, I didn’t know how to move forward. But I knew I had a choice: I could stay broken, or I could find a way to live in his honor. Writing this book was like therapy. It forced me to confront my pain, but it also helped me heal. I found strength in knowing that JR would want me to keep going, to keep shining, and to help others do the same.
Your new book will serve as inspiration for many who are dealing with grief. What is one lesson you hope readers take away from it?
That grief and joy can coexist. You don’t have to “move on” from the person you lost—you take them with you. Healing isn’t about forgetting; it’s about finding a way to live fully because they love you, not in spite of their absence. If there’s one lesson I hope people take from this book, it’s that even after the worst loss, you can find yourself and reinvent a new you.
Writing a book was a new venture for you. What was this process like?
Writing about something so personal meant reliving every painful moment, but it was also incredibly cathartic. Some days, the words just poured out, and other days, I couldn’t even look at the page. But through it all, I felt JR with me.
The process taught me patience, vulnerability, and the power of storytelling. More than anything, it reminded me that sharing our truth is what connects us all.
Serena Williams wrote the foreword for Scrambled or Sunny Side-Up? How did this come about?
Serena is one of my best friends, and she’s been a rock for me throughout my journey with grief. She loves JR, she saw our love, and she also saw how deeply his loss affected me. When I discussed writing a book, she immediately said, “Loren, you have to do this.” She’s always believed in me, so I asked her to write the foreword.
She understands what it means to push through adversity, to keep going even when life knocks you down. She has lived with grief with the loss of her sister, and even experienced a blood clot like JR, but she was one of the lucky ones to survive it. Her words set the perfect tone for this book—one of strength, resilience, and love.
What is the best piece of advice you received during your journey with grief?
Take it one breath at a time. Not even one day at a time—just one breath. Because in the beginning, even getting through a single moment feels impossible. But if you just focus on breathing, on making it through right now, eventually, you start to see that life is still moving. And when you’re ready, you move with it.
Do you have any new projects coming up this year that you can tell us about?
Yes! I’m always working on something new. This year, I’m focused on expanding Market America, launching incredible new products, and continuing JR’s vision. I am filming a show with some incredible women, and I am excited as I know it will help people everywhere believe in themselves. I’m also diving deeper into empowering women, whether through mentorship, speaking engagements, or collaborations. I’m excited for what’s ahead.
Where can our readers find Scrambled or Sunny Side-Up?
The book will be available online at all major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Target.com. Readers can also check my website and social media for updates on book signings, special editions, and events!
