Susan Penn - Small Business Week Startup Story

In celebration of National Small Business Week (April 29th – May 5th) we sat down with five members from Hera Hub locations across the world to hear about their story, passions, impact, and businesses.

The final member to wrap up our Startup Story interview series is Organizational Change Strategist, Executive Coach and Leadership Behaviorist, Susan Penn. She is the Founder and CEO of Reinventure Coaching & Consulting, where she is committed to expanding the potential of individuals and organizations through the quality of connection with one’s self and others. Reinventure works with clients to establish their commitments, connect with their values, overcome challenges and discover what is possible in business and in life. 

She has been a member of Hera Hub Sorrento Valley for 2.5 years. 

What was the inspiration behind your business?

What inspires me is what makes individuals and organizations come alive, healthy, resilient. I’m inspired by the impact both neuroscience and somatic (mind/body) leadership has in deepening and making real change more accessible to individuals and organizations through more generative connections and relationships with others.

I am inspired by the continuous experience of how seeing slight shifts and changes in what one pays attention to can bring and how the commitment my clients have to make changes in their lives, ripples out to their business, family, and communities.

Who are your clients and what do you do for them?
I have a wide range of clients. I know, people have always told me to specialize, but for me, this works, and the foundation of my work is often the same. I work with individuals who are interested in moving past obstacles in order to actualize a more happy and fulfilled life.
Many of my clients are “sponsor” organizations (nationally and globally) who are both progressive and invested in developing their new and experienced leaders to greatness. They know the difference this investment can make in retention, engagement, accelerating the learning curve, building trust with teams and colleagues, and more.
I also work with organizations as an “Organizational Coach,” assessing the strengths and liabilities of their leadership teams, culture, processes, and practices, often providing programs and leadership development training to support their capacity.

What are your business’ values? How do they align with your personal values?

My values are that each individual and organization can become what they want to be and to actualize what matters to them. I value the power of a skillful observer (i.e., coach, leadership behaviorist, organizational consultant) in not only supporting but igniting change. I value presence, rather than a personality or ego-based approach, and a co-creative and generative approach. The power of connection with self and others, and the importance of this in having a happy and fulfilled life is also key.

How/Why did you choose your business name?

Great question. I was on a panel, and a friend, Ken Schmit, who was leading the panel asked me, “What are you most proud of?” I answered without thinking, “it is the changes I have made in my life, the pivots, how I have reinvented my life when at times I felt my back was to the wall, and even, at times, thrived in the process.”

I chose Reinventure, as it combines “venture” with “reinvent ” (to create anew) and also “In” which to me represents the inner work aspect of growth and change.

 

What do you love most about your work?

I love working generatively with clients who are open to new possibilities. I also appreciate the opportunity to continuously learn and to abandon all that I “know” to explore in the moment with the person or organization I am working with. At times difficult and challenging, but also joyful…and you know what, “we” just do not need to go through things or do it all on our own. Having others to work with us is powerful, and I’m honored to be a part of that.
What is the biggest challenge in running your own business?
Finding time, discipline to work in isolation with some of the more mundane, administrative aspects of my work.

What are your/your business’ goals for the future?

My goals are to grow my client base in Northern and Southern California. I love the diversity of working at a transformational level with individual clients and it is a fantastic experience to build positive partnerships with organizations, so I would like to see a more steady pipeline of opportunities for us all. Pragmatically, my goal is to add 3 more “partner organizations” in the remainder of 2018, and to open the pipeline for more individual clients, as well.

What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur?

I am learning as I go, and I hesitate to give advice as if I were an expert, which I’m not. I would say to trust in your abilities, know that you have what you need, and if you need more, go get it. To follow your aliveness will always take you were you need to go, so sense into that, what makes me feel alive, joyful, where do I feel my gifts are most utilized. Once you have figured that out, marinate in it, and be sure to savor it when the feeling arises!

Discover your individual or organization’s full potential by working with Susan.  Check out her services, and ‘Like’ Reinventure Coaching & Consulting on Facebook

Katee Van Horn’s interview is part of Hera Hub’s Small Business Week Feature. Hera Hub is a coworking space a business accelerator for female entrepreneurs. Find a location near you. 

This year the Small Business Administration will be hosting a FREE 3-Day Virtual Conference that is open to the public. Begins Tuesday, May 1st.  More info!