We recently had the chance to connect with Penny Moore and have shared our conversation below.
Penny, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
My husband and I—partners in both life and business—have begun writing a book called Business Duos. Becoming authors was never on our radar, but we’ve felt a deep calling to support other business partners on this unique and often challenging journey.
We know firsthand how hard it can be to mix business and personal life, and how rare it is to find a space where both the struggles and the victories are seen and celebrated. Our hope is to create exactly that—a space of encouragement, honesty, and fuel to keep going. If our story can help even one duo feel less alone and more empowered, it will be worth every word.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
At Tenderling, we believe great brands start with bold vision and thoughtful design. With over 15 years of experience in hospitality and real estate, we specialize in brand strategy and design that turns developments into destinations and properties into experiences.
We’ve had the honor of partnering with leading developers, hotel groups, and property teams to bring clarity, character, and cohesion to everything from ground-up projects to major rebrands. From naming and positioning to visual identity and digital presence, we help teams align around a shared vision—and express it beautifully across every touchpoint.
Our mission is to help properties stand out with purpose and precision, creating brands that connect deeply with guests, residents, and communities. Whether you’re building something new or breathing fresh life into an existing asset, Tenderling brings insight, creativity, and care to every step of the journey.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
As a business owner, motherhood has shaped how I see the world more than anything else. It’s given me a sharper lens for what truly matters—clarity, empathy, resilience, and the ability to hold both vision and reality at the same time.
Being a mother taught me how to lead with heart, how to pivot with grace, and how to stay grounded in the midst of chaos. It’s made me more patient with the process, more attuned to people, and more protective of my time and energy.
Motherhood reminds me daily that growth isn’t always linear, and that the most meaningful work often happens quietly, behind the scenes. It’s also taught me to celebrate small wins, trust my intuition, and define success on my own terms—not by hustle, but by alignment.
I bring all of that into how I lead my team, support my clients, and build a business that not only performs, but nourishes. Because at the end of the day, the same love and intention I pour into my family is the same spirit I bring into my work.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me to slow down, to listen more deeply, and to find strength in stillness. It showed me what I truly value—when everything else was stripped away, what remained was clarity, faith, and connection.
Success often affirms what’s working, but suffering reveals what’s essential. It taught me resilience, not just as a trait, but as a rhythm—learning to rest, to grieve, to hope again. It softened my ambition and deepened my empathy. It made me a better leader, a more present mother, and a more compassionate human.
Suffering humbled me. It taught me that I don’t have to hold everything together to be worthy or strong. And that’s something success alone could never offer.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve let go of the idea that I need to separate my personal and professional self. I used to think I had to show up a certain way in business—more polished, less emotional, maybe even a little guarded. But over time, and especially working alongside my husband, I’ve realized the power of showing up as a whole person.
When you build a business with someone who knows every version of you—your best and worst days—it becomes nearly impossible (and honestly exhausting) to keep those worlds apart. And I’ve found that when I bring more of my real self to the table, deeper connections happen. Clients respond to it. My team responds to it. And I feel more aligned and at peace.
So no, I don’t have a different version of me for different rooms anymore. What you see is what you get—and I’ve never felt more at home in my own skin.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I’m incredibly passionate about what I do, and I feel beyond blessed to have built a company where I genuinely enjoy my clients, my team, and the work itself. That kind of alignment fuels me every day. Of course, encouragement is always meaningful—but it’s not what drives me. What drives me is the chance to create, to serve, to solve, and to build something lasting alongside people I care about.
When you love what you do and who you do it with, the work becomes its own reward. And showing up fully—whether anyone’s clapping or not—feels like the most honest way to honor that gift.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tenderling.com
- Instagram: @tenderlingdesign
- Linkedin: Penny Moore
Image Credits
Photos by Tenderling
