Loren Ridinger on Heartbreak, Healing, & Embracing Life Again
- laurie2769
- Mar 3
- 6 min read
After losing her husband and soulmate, Miami entrepreneur and socialite Loren Ridinger found herself at a crossroads—succumb to grief or find a way to rise. She shares her journey of love, heartache, and rediscovery, offering hope to anyone navigating life after loss.
Losing a soulmate is an unimaginable heartbreak—one that can leave you feeling lost, untethered, and searching for a way forward. In her new book, Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up? Living Your Best Life After Losing Your Greatest Love, Loren Ridinger shares her deeply personal journey through grief, resilience, and self-discovery after the passing of her beloved husband, JR. As a powerhouse entrepreneur, co-founder of Market America and SHOP.com, and longtime Miami resident, Ridinger has built a life defined by passion, reinvention, and perseverance. Here, Loren offers an intimate look at how she found the strength to navigate profound loss and embrace life again.
Miami Living: Your book explores rediscovering yourself after profound loss. What inspired you to write this memoir, and can you share the story behind it?
Loren Ridinger: Losing JR shattered my world in ways I could have never imagined. He was my soulmate, my best friend, my partner in everything. When he passed, I felt completely lost—like I had been thrown into a life I didn’t recognize. But as time went on, I realized I had a choice: I could let the grief consume me, or I could find a way to navigate it and to live fully in his honor. Writing this book was my way of sharing that journey—not just the heartbreak, but the resilience, the love that never dies, and the rediscovery of me. I wanted to give others hope that even in our darkest moments, we can choose to rise.
Miami Living: Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up? is such a unique and evocative title. What’s the meaning behind it, and how does it reflect your journey?
Loren Ridinger: The title came from JR asking me every day for 36 years how he should have his eggs—scrambled or sunny-side up? I answered him gladly every day but as the years passed, I would get irritated and even confused as to why he would ask—they weren’t my eggs, they were his. But it was his love language. I missed that. I didn’t see it that way until after I lost him. He cared about my opinion—how he should have his eggs, what he should wear, what I thought about this or that. I would do and give anything in the world for him to be here right now, and ask me, “Baby, how should I have my eggs today? Scrambled or sunny-side up?”
Grief turns your world upside down. But there’s always another choice: to find the light, to see life as sunny-side up, even after the darkest storms. It’s not about ignoring the pain, but about choosing how we move forward. Every day, we wake up and decide how we want to live. Do we stay broken, or do we find a way to shine again? That’s the heart of this book.
Miami Living: Writing about grief can be incredibly intense. What was the most challenging part of opening up about your personal journey? Were there moments when you hesitated or felt it might be too difficult to share?
Loren Ridinger: Absolutely. There were nights when I sat staring at the page, tears streaming down my face, wondering if I could put these emotions into words. The hardest part was reliving the moments when I felt the most broken—losing JR, waking up in a world without him, trying to navigate a life I never planned for. But I also knew that if I could share my truth, it might help someone else who feels lost in their own grief. Vulnerability is scary, but it’s also where real connection happens.
Miami Living: For those struggling to find their identity after losing a loved one, what advice would you offer to help them navigate their healing process?
Loren Ridinger: First, give yourself grace. There’s no timeline for healing, and there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. But at some point, you have to start choosing yourself again. Find little things that bring you joy, even if they seem small. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. And most importantly, talk about your feelings—whether it’s with a friend, a therapist, or even through journaling. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting; it means finding a way to carry their love forward while still embracing your future.
Miami Living: You and your husband, JR Ridinger, co-founded Market America and SHOP.com. How has the business evolved since his passing, and what role has it played in your personal journey?
Loren Ridinger: Market America has always been more than a business—it’s a family, a movement, a legacy. After JR passed, I had to step into a new role, not just for myself, but for all the people who believe in this company. We’ve continued to innovate, grow, and push forward, always keeping JR’s vision at the heart of everything. I know that his passion, his energy, and his dreams live on in what we’re building every single day. My whole family moves forward with JR in our hearts and on our minds, and we love him more now than ever. Love still grows in grief.
Miami Living: Perseverance is a powerful theme in your book. What helped you push through the hardest days, and what do you think JR would have said to encourage you if he were here?
Loren Ridinger: There were days when I didn’t think I could keep going, but I always heard JR’s voice in my head telling me, “You’ve got this, baby.” He believed in me in a way that was unshakable, and I knew he wouldn’t want me to stop living. My daughter, Amber, my grandchildren, my family, my friends, and the entire Market America community—they gave me the strength to keep going. And deep down, I knew that if JR were here, he would be reminding me to dream big, to push forward, and to never let anything dim my light.
Miami Living: Since embarking on this new chapter, what has been the most surprising lesson you’ve learned about yourself?
Loren Ridinger: I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I ever imagined. When you lose someone who was such a big part of your life, you wonder if you can even exist without them. But I’ve discovered that I am capable of reinventing myself, of finding new purpose, of living fully even with a broken heart. I’ve also learned that grief and joy can coexist—you don’t have to choose one or the other.
Miami Living: If JR could see you now, what do you think he’d say about your journey and the way you’ve honored his legacy?
Loren Ridinger: Oh, I know exactly what he’d say. He’d look at me, smile, and say, “Baby, you are a badass. You’re doing exactly what you were meant to do. I believe in you.” He’d be proud—not just because I kept Market America going, but because I found myself again in the process. He always told me I was stronger than I realized, and now I truly believe it.
Miami Living: Miami has been your home for many years. How has the city influenced you both personally and professionally?
Loren Ridinger: Miami is energy. It’s passion. It’s resilience. Living here has taught me to embrace life with vibrancy and to always keep moving forward. This city has given me some of my greatest memories with JR, but it’s also been the place where I’ve rediscovered myself. The diversity, the culture, the spirit of reinvention—it’s all shaped who I am.
Miami Living: Miami is a city defined by resilience and reinvention. Do you feel its spirit mirrors your own journey of growth and perseverance?
Loren Ridinger: Absolutely. Miami is a city that constantly evolves, that never gives up, that finds new ways to shine. That’s exactly what I’ve had to do in my own life. Reinvention isn’t about forgetting where you came from—it’s about taking everything you’ve been through and using it to create something beautiful.
Miami Living: When you’re not working, what are some of your favorite places to visit in Miami, and how do you like to enjoy the city’s vibrant culture?
Loren Ridinger: I love spending time by the ocean—it’s where I feel closest to JR. There’s something about the water that brings me peace. I also love dining out at some of Miami’s incredible restaurants, whether it’s a dinner at Casadonna or a fun night at Gekko. And of course, nothing beats spending time with friends and family, just enjoying the energy of this amazing city.
Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up? Living Your Best Life After Losing Your Greatest Love is available for purchase now online and in bookstores. To stay up-to-date on Loren’s journey, follow her on Instagram @lorenridinger.