top of page
Writer's pictureDevyn Penney

#165. experiencing many paths, the power of believing & being an absolute boss




Age: 53 (shit...already?)

Relationship Status: Many times divorced and dating myself this year 

Occupation: Chief Operating Officer 

Income: 700k + 

Astrological Sign: Gemini 


What is your first thought every morning? 

What time is it ? I don’t sleep well so it could quite literally be 3am or 8am depending on the day. 


What is something you do solely for you?

Decorate my home. It’s where I feel at peace. I need it “done” clean, fresh, new. I move furniture regularly and decorate for every season. It’s my creative side. 


What is something you dread? 

Getting old and decrepit. Immobility terrifies me. After a surgery last year that put me on one leg for a year, I learned to be appreciative of my body and physical mobility. I think we take it for granted. 


What is something you are looking forward to?

Meeting my future grandchildren. My only child says she’s not gong to have children. I tell her regularly that she owes me a grandchild (lol). I always wanted a huge family - all of mine were back in Europe and it was lonely when I was growing up. 


When do you feel most accomplished? 

At work, I am most in my element. I have many departments and a staff of 400, and I love multitasking and moving from Finance to IT to core business. I love coaching and building teams, and making major decisions gives me a rush. Transforming businesses is an art.


What is something you regret investing in financially? 

Fucking men. Every property investment car private education gave me returns. Investing in men that I saw potential in...a loss. And sadly, much more than my original capital. It's embarrassing, really, given what I do for a living. 


What is something you regret investing in emotionally? 

Trying to change people. It took me a long time to realize that people are not projects. You may leave them better than how you found them, but you can’t change them. 


What are three things you think are absolutely worth the investment?

(financially, emotionally, or time/energy-wise)

  1. Yourself - damn, I wish I figured this out in my 30’s and 40’s.

  2. Property - I am shit at saving but great at making money - my first house I bought with 10k at 25, and I’m on my 10th home.

  3. Education - never stop learning – read, listen, take courses, try to learn a new skill daily. You will only increase your street value. 


When do you feel most creative? 

Cooking and building infrastructure are completely different, but both bring me so much joy. Making something out of nothing that can put joy on people's faces is a rush. 


How often do you compare yourself to others? When? 

Never bloody ever. It’s a waste of time. I never compare myself to anyone. You truly never know what the next person carries on their back, in their head, or on their pillow at night. And looks are fleeting. 


What is one thing you’d like to thank your past self for? 

Moving out at 15 and building my own life from nothing. I appreciate that poverty and wealth are both fleeting. Surviving is the skill. 


What is one thing you believe about your future self? 

That I will love “change” then as much as I do today. 


What is one thing you learned in childhood that you have now had to unlearn in adulthood?

Love does not conquer all and some parents shouldn’t have children. 


Have you ever felt pure joy? When? 

Oh yes! Traveling, singing in my car with the windows rolled down, great sex and lots of it, seeing amazing theater and ballet, listening to waves in Croatia, swimming naked in my pool at midnight, eating amazing cuisine, waking up to my grandparents in France when they were alive…too many moments of pure joy…picking every puppy I’ve ever had over the years. 


What is something that would feel really good to get off your chest?

That it fucking sucks that women are still not equals in 2024 and we find ourselves afraid in situations which most men will never truly understand. I wish every bloody man could be a woman for a week. 


When do you feel most in your feminine energy?

I love getting my hair done twice a week, nails, facials, massages, and bubble baths. I won’t be shamed for loving to feel girly. Even a boss babe loves being girly. 


What is one interaction that changed your life? 

In university, another student stopped me and said, “You’re brilliant, but you won’t get anywhere in life till you stop acting like there’s a war.” It took me years of therapy to fix what my parents broke in me as a child. She was right, and I put my guard down. 


What is something you want to give up? 

Vaping - I pretend that it’s better than smoking. It’s not.


What is something you want to take up? 

Running again, like I did in university. In my head I imagine what it would be like to run a marathon.


What do you believe is a universal truth? 

That your end point is already written by God/Universe. Life is taking and experiencing the many paths that get us there. 


BONUS: Tell me something good. 

You can do anything you put your mind to. I truly believe that any goal is attainable. There’s power in believing that and living that way. 

4 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page