One of my clients was laid off from a job she loved last summer. She was constantly on the lookout for new roles, but few postings felt like the right fit for her—and the ones that did weren't leading anywhere.

In one of our coaching sessions, she said: “I think I need to Good Will Hunting this whole thing.”

I laughed. “What does that mean?”

She explained: “Write my own role and cast myself.”

I groaned, because I felt such a visceral YESSSS bubble up from my core.

Last week marked one year since Penney Leadership went live! Many of you have asked about my transition into entrepreneurship and what it's been like to own my own business. Today I'm pulling back the curtain to look behind-the-scenes.

The last year has completely exceeded my expectations—it's been so fun, meaningful, and exciting. I've gotten to build a life and a business around my personal mission, values, natural strengths, and the kind of success that I find most meaningful.

Someone asked me this morning about the most surprising thing about my experience thus far. This is it…