Entrepreneurship has a funny way of showing you who you are.

Some days, it feels expansive and joyful. Purpose-filled. Like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be—doing work that matters, serving people you love, building something meaningful.

And other days?
It feels heavy. Uncertain. Slower than you hoped. Harder than you expected.

If 2025 has tested you in ways you didn’t see coming, you’re not imagining it. And you’re not alone.

Gratitude and Grit Can Exist at the Same Time

I’m incredibly grateful for this life and this work. I truly am. I get to serve women. I get to build community. I get to create spaces filled with connection, growth, and—yes—joy.

But I don’t always talk about the behind-the-scenes realities. The moments that don’t make it to social media. The choices that aren’t glamorous but are necessary.

Loving your work doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Choosing purpose doesn’t mean you won’t question yourself along the way.

Sometimes the questions are loud:
How badly do you want this?
Is this really working?
Should you quit and go back to something "safer"?

Those questions don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re in it.

Doing What’s Needed—Without Shame

One of the biggest lessons this year reminded me that there’s no shame in doing what you need to do to support your life while you build what you’re called to build.

Entrepreneurship isn’t linear. Sometimes you take steps that don’t look impressive on paper but are deeply aligned with responsibility, service, and self-respect.

When I shifted my mindset from embarrassment to service—from “I can’t believe I have to do this” to “I get to help someone and take care of my family”—everything changed.

There is dignity in honest work. Always.

Resilience Isn’t Loud—It’s Quiet and Consistent

We often think resilience looks like big wins or bold declarations. In reality, it usually looks like quiet decisions to keep going.

To not quit on a hard day.
To rest, regroup, and still show up.
To finish what you started even when it would be easier to walk away.

Growth happens in those moments—the ones no one applauds.

Your business doesn’t grow faster than you do. And every uncomfortable stretch is shaping the woman you’re becoming.

Remember Who You’re Becoming

When things feel heavy, I remind myself to look two directions at once.

Back—at how far I’ve come.
Forward—at who I’m becoming.

That future version of you? She’s proud. She’s grateful you didn’t give up. She knows these hard seasons mattered.

You don’t have to have it all figured out today. You just have to keep going with intention, honesty, and heart.

A Gentle Reminder for You

If you’re reading this and wondering whether you’re cut out for this—let me say this clearly:

You are not behind.
You are not weak for feeling tired.
You are not wrong for questioning the path.

You are building something real. And real things take time.

Take a deep breath. Be proud of who you are. Be proud of who you’re becoming. And know that continuing to show up—especially when it’s hard—counts more than you think.

I’m cheering you on. Always.

~Penny