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Make Life Beautiful  By  cover art

Make Life Beautiful

By: Syd McGee,Shea McGee
Narrated by: Syd McGee,Shea McGee
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Publisher's Summary

Stars of the hit Netflix series Dream Home Makeover Syd and Shea McGee offers fans a new and intimate look into how they built their business in this best-selling autobiography.

Do you want to live the best version of your life? Learn how Syd and Shea prioritized their values, defined their goals, and put their dreams into action - going from flat broke to design superstars - all while following their motto to “make life beautiful.” Most importantly, discover how you can do the same!

For the one million-plus followers who turn to Syd and Shea McGee for advice on building a beautiful home and life, Make Life Beautiful is a behind-the-scenes look into how the couple transformed Shea’s small room of fabric samples and big dream of becoming a designer into one of the most successful and fastest-growing interior design businesses in the country.

In Make Life Beautiful, Syd and Shea inspire you on how to build an authentic life by applying design principles such as:

  • Embrace the process.
  • Get to the next level.
  • Find balance.
  • Elevate the everyday.

Make Life Beautiful is essential for entrepreneurs, interior designers, working parents, couples building a family and career, and anyone else chasing their dreams. Both longtime and new fans will gain insight into how the McGees built such a successful company.

©2020 Syd and Shea McGee (P)2020 Harper Horizon

What listeners say about Make Life Beautiful

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Amazing book about entrepreneurship

I loved this book. A story beautifully told about the struggles of starting a new business and the insane drive required to become successful in both work and life. As an aspiring entrepreneur everyone always tells you “you need to hustle” or “you need to be willing to sacrifice for your business” and it’s hard to know what that means, but this book does a wonderful job at actually making those struggles tangible and relatable. When I saw the cover of this book I thought “Aw a cute couple in business together”, but after reading- damn. Syd and Shea really pull back the curtain and show you that they didn’t just stumble into the empire they built, there was so much business genius and forethought into every one of their moves that led them to where they are today. I was a huge fan of studio McGee’s work before reading this book, but now I’m super in love with their whole business and the founders. Well written guys keep kicking ass!

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MY LIFE IS NOW MORE BEAUTIFUL

WOW! I identified with their story completely! As an interior designer myself, I have been going through a minor burnout from all the work it takes to be an entrepreneur and a designer. Syd and Shea gave me the strength to continue and believe there are even more beautiful things in store! Thank you!

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Fun, inspiring, and practical! Couldn’t stop listening.

If you watched their new show on Netflix, you already love the McGees for their down to earth nature and beautiful, timeless, yet unique and fresh style. This book is a story of their journey, with raw moments as well as funny stories, all centered around practical and specific design and business tips (I appreciated the specificity here!). I truly loved getting the peek behind the curtain and found it inspiring, interesting, fun and very well written - I couldn’t stop listening and finished it in just a few days! Highly recommend for anyone interested in design, entrepreneurship, or just a fun and inspiring story!

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More than a design book

A beautifully written story of hardships and triumphs. Reminding us that what seems like the end of the world today, may lead to better days in the future. Thank you

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Made me a fan!

I had came across a YouTube video of theirs. I liked her style a since we are in the process of building a home. I thought I may get some ideas. the book was so much more and I really enjoyed it.

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Inspiring Story

Very approachable and love that they take turns writing and narrating their unique perspectives. Congrats Syd and Shea!!

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So inspired by their story!

This book was amazing, inspiring, honest, sweet, funny and really gives you a great idea of what it takes to succeed in business.

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Inspirational

Enjoyed getting behind the scenes with one of my favorite designers. Gives me a lot of motivation.

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Loved it

I felt inspired as I was rooting for them throughout the book. What a great love story, life story and success story. I’m going to go move things around to redecorate my house now.

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Listened With My Husband / Business Partner

My husband and I had to go on a business roadtrip and we listened to this together. We really enjoyed it. It was refreshing to hear the success story of two hardworking individuals. Our biggest take away was boundaries... we don't want to lose ourselves to our business.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 01-14-21

loved it!

love these guys. I'm glad I went for audio version of the book, because I'm a bit of a slow reader and this book is so well narrated.
I enjoyed listening to their story, the struggles and successes. They're like the guys next door who made it.

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  • R
  • 02-14-23

A positive message for everyone

Excellent. This isn't just for those interested in design or entrepreneurship, but for anyone who's learning to find the positives in life.

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  • Michelle Fallon
  • 06-29-22

Honest, heart warming and inspiring

Loved how honest and open you both are in this book. As a creative I could empathise with so many of the points raised. Loved hearing about your journey, loved the show and look forward to the next series. Wishing you both lots of love, luck and success in your future.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 06-10-22

Thank you!

Dear Syd and Shea,
As I just finished reading (well, actually listening to your book), I just wanted to take this opportunity in writing this review, to thank you both so very much for this wonderful book and for sharing your amazing story! I ABSOLUTELY love your designs(!!!), and as I have a passion for a design myself, I have no idea how can you creat such beauty over and over again!!! I admire you both so much and love you even more after listening to this book.
Thank you!
Svetlana x

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  • Anonymous User
  • 01-09-22

LOVED EVERY MINUTE

This audiobook made me laugh, cry and feel inspired. Thoroughly enjoyed it! Hubby even happily listened along too!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 03-22-21

So inspiring!

This book is a must-read for everyone interested in starting a business or making a career change but who is doubting himself! And seeing both sides of the picture, from Shea and from Syd is definitely a huge plus. Love this book!

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  • jenni
  • 03-17-21

Fascinating account of their business growth

I love Shea and Syd's style and their Netflix show, so was very interested to hear their story from the beginning. They make it all seem so easy on the Netflix show, but this gives you an insight into the hard work, risk taking and dedication which has gone into getting to where they are now. They narrate it perfectly and are very honest and open about their initial self doubt (especially Shea), struggles with the business and sometimes even their relationship.
I only wish we could buy Studio McGee products in the UK!

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  • Gemma Hussain
  • 03-05-21

Amazing read uplifting and inspiring

Absolutely loved every minute of this book being taking on the journey of how the Mcghees became who they are today, totally uplifting and inspiring recommend to anyone looking to brighten their mood and push themselves forward,

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  • Jpat89
  • 12-08-20

loved it

Great to hear the full story with the ups and downs of how they have grown their business over the years and become what we've seen on Netflix!

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  • mr angus d macdonald
  • 12-02-20

Make life beautiful

Having watched ‘Dream home makeover’ on Netflix , it was incredible to listen to Shea s and Syd’s full story told by them. A brilliant book!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 10-28-20

Heartfelt & inspiring

An inspiring story of a young couple who together with perseverance and sacrifice, overcame challenges to build not only an interior design empire but a flourishing family and marriage. This is a book that will inspire you to pursue your passions and embrace the bumps along the way.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Anonymous User
  • 06-25-22

Inspiring

I absolutely loved this book. No it’s not about design but an awesome story about an awesome couple who have stuck it out through the good times and the bad. An inspiration in relationships and business. Well done guys!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 02-18-22

Inspiring and Refreshing

I enjoyed every word of this book. As someone who loves their design and the genius of their business I can now appreciate the hard work and tenacity that both put into building their brand. The open and honest journey shared by both Shae and Syd was refreshing and I loved how both candidly shared how the journey impacted them individually. Very inspiring.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 11-21-21

Awesome! Speechless! Very inspiring ! Learning book! It has big impact on my life.

I love it. I must meet one day these two inspiring people on the earth, they both are so down to earth, hardworking, passionate.

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  • Tara
  • 02-02-21

Very enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book and will play it back many times in the future I am predicting.
It provides a good insight into their process and their story is inspirational.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 02-02-21

A wonderful insight into the personal journey of a brand

An engaging and easy listen to the personal journey of Shea & Syd as they grew their brand. Invaluable & encouraging listening to anyone building a business as they share their journey with honesty & refreshing vulnerability.
Both useful from a business perspective for those hoping to be inspired by their path as a personal testimonial and lessons learnt, right through to just being a great story on the journey of a couple building their family while following their dream.

Both Syd & Shea make for clear & articulate listening & have a refreshing transparency about their journey. The mix of both voices & perspectives lends a welcome variety and keeps the story moving at an easy pace.
Easy listen & highly enjoyable.

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  • sarah Tilley
  • 01-18-21

Just just an overnight success

As a fellow interior designer I love to hear the stories and the 10 years to become an “overnight success”
It is refreshing to hear the ups and downs, the highs and the lows and eventually living the dream that the studio has beacons to date.

As a husband and wife team they have lived and breathed the brand and created the design bison for the company and their lives.

It’s good to know that they have had horrid months, been maxed to their eyeballs and that they have overcome each and every challenge !

I am inspired by their vision and unlimited belief that they could create a company so large!

Well done, congratulations and all the beat for the next chapter!!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 11-22-20

Design of kindness

A refreshing and inspiring account of a family creating something beautiful with style, wit and kindness. I couldn't stop listening and find myself wanting to take the Mcgee family for coffee to talk design, family and business.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 11-10-20

Beautiful from beginning to end

This book was more than I expected! I’ve been a fan of the McGee team for a few years now and loved watching their Netflix series. It was a great insight into their portfolio of works and a sneak peek into their family life. BUT THE BOOK WAS PHENOMENAL. Going back in time with Syd and Shea to where it all began was a treasure. They didn’t hold back with the challenges they faced and it made me love them even more. Prepare to laugh, cry and learn from this inspirational duo. It’s a book you’ll read again and again, reflecting on their experiences from work project to home project 💛