By Kalani Dantley
Dominique Penn is a proud mother of three, an author and an entrepreneur.
“My passion is to create multiple businesses that will become a legacy,” Penn says. “Why stop at just a business when I can create something that my grandchildren can pass to their grandchildren?”
Which is exactly what she’s doing — from home.
Penn, a Los Angeles native, operates a baby boutique, a charitable foundation and — as of a year ago — Discreezips, a start-up company designed to help women privately discard their feminine products.
The mother of three launched the company with her cousin and sister with the hope of working more from home. And thus, spending more time with her family.
And after several months of work, so far so good.
Discreezips is launching a global application this summer and intends to distribute scented, decorative bags as part of an organic feminine line.
“I couldn’t be more proud of myself and my team,” Penn says.
Penn is plenty experienced with businesses.
Albeit primarily away from home.
She wrote a children’s book called The Many Adventures of Donald. She opened a baby boutique named Strollers & More. She developed her own makeup line — Demi Jolie Cosmetics. And she started a charitable foundation — The Mrs. Penn Open Heart Foundation.
All of her endeavors, she says, are intended to help others in the community.
Motherhood, naturally, served as the inspiration for the book and the boutique, which distributes strollers, baby gadgets and clothing in Woodland Hills, California. Empathy inspired her foundation, which encourages, counsels and provides support for the underprivileged.
“I want to be the Hilton of my generation, building businesses that will make room for others to strive from,” she says. “Doing for others makes me feel good.”
Penn also re-enrolled in school to pursue a degree in business marketing, and says she feels accomplished when she gives back to others.
Hence the founding of Discreezips in 2018.
Penn, though passionate about her projects, sought to spend more time with her children, and figured her new company would provide her with that opportunity.
She says she came up with the concept several years ago, and has worked, rather diligently, to develop the brand.
“I have literally been sitting on this concept for about six to seven years now,” Penn says. “One day I just told myself that I would just start jotting down my ideas in my composition book or notebook. I have a ton of notebooks all around my house so when I get an idea, I can just jot it down.”
The new company provides the option for Penn to work out of an office space or at home. She says she spends an average of three or four hours at her office, and works the rest of the time at home to maintain some flexibility with her family.
She also says that long hours are important in a new business and some sacrifice is required in order to build a dream.
But she’s figured out how to have some balance.
“I am soon to be divorced so the more time that I have at home with my kids is the way to go for me,” she explains. “Although I am building this company, I never want to be too busy to the point where I am stuck at an office that takes my time away from them.”
Penn has plenty of advice for home business owners. First, she emphasizes making space for a business.
Literally.
“Whether it is a corner or a room,” she says, “Give yourself and your business breathing room to get things done.”
Penn also offers some words of encouragement to the entrepreneurs that can’t afford their own space.
“You don’t need an office to have an idea or to put something in motion. Everyone nowadays is tech savvy,” she says. “There is no need to rush into an office space and pay for overhead. Put that money into your business or save it for your business ideas or marketing points. An office will not make or break your business.”
Lastly, she stresses how pivotal it is to remain focused while staying true to yourself.
“Please have tunnel vision. Do not get distracted on what the next person is doing,” she says. “Take a deep breath and remember who you are, where you want to go, and the person that you want to become.”
Penn, for one, knows who she is and what she wants to become. A mother of three, and entrepreneur. With a focus on family and her future.
