Big Lou grew up in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. When her husband, Carmine, passed away a few years ago, Big Lou was faced with raising four children on a shoe-string budget and had to roll up her animal print and fix things herself to make ends meet since her husband didnt take out a big enough life insurance policy. She became so good at it that she started a Web Series called www.askbiglou.com —showing everything from tips for home security, how to train a dog, cleaning a toilet and saving money.