From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship: A Journey Towards Fulfillment

Hi there, I'm Penny, and I've got to say, I'm feeling every bit of my 38 years on this planet. I'm an artist at heart, dabbling in all sorts of creative stuff. But let me tell you, my passion for plants and gardening wasn't something I saw coming. It all started after some pretty tough losses in my life, and it kinda saved me in more ways than one.

So here's the deal: I recently quit my job without a solid backup plan. See, I'm in the process of building my own gig, and I know that takes time. I took that job after those losses I mentioned, and it helped me kick a battle with alcoholism, get back into a routine, and regain some financial stability. But honestly, that gig had me questioning my life choices.

I mean, I was working at a plastics manufacturer, and it felt like I was living a double life. On one hand, I was part of making medical equipment, which felt kinda cool. On the other hand, I was doing a million different tasks, stressed out of my mind, and getting up at the ungodly hour of 3:45 am. No joke, it was making me physically and mentally sick. I even had a couple of anxiety-filled exits from work. But you know what? The more I distanced myself from that job, the better I felt.

So, I made a bold move and quit, no job security in sight, and not a clue where I was headed. But I had saved up some cash during my stint, and I put it to good use. I'm converting the covered carport into an office space and laundry room, and my brother-in-law's construction business, Loyd & Sons, has been a lifesaver in this mess of a home improvement journey.

I've had to get pretty crafty, finding deals and creative ways to source materials. I scored some full glass doors for 25 bucks each, and they're now the windows in my new space, giving it that sunroom vibe. I even had to get concrete poured to level out the ground - this place was all kinds of sloped.

I'm trying to get this space ready before the frost hits because I've got a collection of about 200 plants, and I'm not about to let them freeze their leaves off. But let's be real, I'm feeling the pressure, especially when I saw my monthly expenses piling up.

So, I decided to take on a part-time gig as a barista starting in November. Yeah, it won't make me rich, but it's better than being a zombie from overworking. Plus, I want to be there for my kids – one's already a teenager, and the other is close. Being a single mom ain't a walk in the park, let me tell you.

This part-time gig also means I'll have more time to give my own thing a shot. But hey, motivation isn't my BFF, thanks to being on Team Autism and Team ADHD. Those two don't always play nice, and it can be a real struggle. I'm feeling every emotion under the sun, but I'm in this for the long haul.

Outside of posting images on Instagram and Facebook from time to time, I don't usually mess with social media much, but I'll be doing my best to share the ups and downs of this journey. Here's to rolling with the punches, embracing the unknown, and making things happen – one day at a time.