Welcome to Penelope's World
An entrepreneurial powerhouse with over five decades of experience, Penelope Bent has shattered boundaries across multiple industries. Growing up in California, she was acutely aware of the traditional roles society expected women to play; but from an early age, she refused to accept these limitations. While her father envisioned a secure future in nursing, her true passion lay in entrepreneurship. At just 22, she made the bold decision to leave conventional career paths behind and forge her own way.
Over the years, from retail, she expanded into photography, modeling, and recruiting, always trusting her instincts and embracing change. This journey hasn’t been without challenges, but with each new venture, Penelope proved that with determination, resilience, and a willingness to evolve, there are no limits to what can be achieved.
Penelope’s Approach to Business & Life
Success is driven by a simple yet powerful philosophy: "The only limits are the ones you set for yourself." Throughout her career, Penelope has prioritized authenticity, refusing to conform to others’ expectations. Fear has never dictated her path; instead, she believes the only limits that exist are the ones we choose to accept.
Resilience has been her greatest asset. She’s faced countless setbacks, but instead of being deterred, each challenge reinforced her belief that perseverance shapes success. Above all, Penelope trusts in the power of the universe—knowing that with hard work, vision, and belief, the right opportunities will come at the right time.
A Life in Business
With over 50 years of entrepreneurial experience, Penelope has led multiple successful ventures. From a gift shop to a photography business, modeling agency, fashion boutique, fashion magazine, recruiting company, and more, she has consistently stayed ahead of the curve. Her ability to anticipate trends and adapt quickly has been key to maintaining success across industries. Throughout her career, she has remained a self-made entrepreneur, never relying on credit to fund her businesses, but instead trusting her intuition, tireless work ethic, and the belief that the universe provides for those who boldly pursue their dreams.
The Mindset for Success
Success comes from living authentically and breaking free from societal norms. "The only limits are the ones you set for yourself," is a guiding principle. Penelope has always believed that to live a fulfilled life, you must be brave enough to follow your dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem.
Her journey from uncertainty to undeniable success is a testament to the fact that the greatest obstacle to achieving your dreams is the fear of failure. Rather than allowing fear to control her decisions, Penelope embraces failure as an opportunity to grow and encourages others to adopt this mindset as well.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Penelope’s advice is straightforward: "Don’t wait for permission. You already have everything you need to succeed." She believes action is the key—waiting for the perfect moment only delays progress.
Success, in her view, comes from authenticity, persistence, and a refusal to let setbacks define you. Business is about collaboration, not competition, and Penelope encourages others to trust the process and believe in their vision.




The Entrepreneurial Journey
1976 - 1996
Clymer Studios
One of the first female Boudoir Photographers in Northern California
1986 - 1996
Clymer’s Modeling & Talent Agency
1996
Sold
Clymer Studios & Clymer’s Creative Production Co
1994 - 2001
Penelope’s on the Avenue
Fashion Boutique
2005 - 2006
FINESSE the Magazine
Penelope describes as "A Mess!"
2005 - 2018
FUSE Fashion Mag
On-Line Fashion
Magazine - -Penelope is
considering a
Re-Launch!
"We shall see."
2014
Penelope Bent + Co
Tech & Cyber Security Recruiting Company
1972 - 1976
Dorthea’s
Retail Gift Shop -- expanded to a
'Year Around
Christmas' Shop
Sold - - Dorthea's Christmas
is still operational today!
1984 - 1992
Clymer’s Limousine Service
1986 - 1996
Clymer’s Creative Production Co
1994 - 2005
FINESSE Model Management
1994 - 2014
Finesse Creative Production & Hair Salon
2005 - 2018
FUSE Integrated Marketing Solutions
2005 – 2018
FUSE Freelance Development
The First Freelance Modeling Development Company specializing in 'The Mature Woman.'
2025
RecruiterMANIA
Partnership Recruiting On-Demand
A Re-Brand and expansion of Penelope Bent + Co
Collaborating with our FUSE Fashion Team -- "An Amazing Group of Women!"
With Jennifer Montana & our Fashion Editor Cynthia Jackson, working on our April 2014 Front Cover Layout. "A Great Shoot!"

2025
Penelope Bent
Coaching Services -Building Businesses & Breaking Boundaries!
2025
Build It, Baby!
Podcast -- Launch in July!
Working with my Editor Gail Gabriel -- "Who, after all these years, continues to put the finishing touches on all my work!"
What's NEXT?
Working with our great Production Director Nilla Ritt -- "Never a Dull Moment!"