Posted: Aug 13, 08 6:29pm
I'm curious: My accountant, who also happens to be a long-time friend, went into business for herself at age 43. She turned 65 this year. Her business is thriving and she is still going strong. Her daughter, who joined the business 10-15 years ago and is poised to take it over, keeps joking that Sharon will never retire. I started my first business in my 40s. What about you?
For me, the decision to become an entrepreneur was kind of an epiphany. I had been working in publishing for about 10 years, hated my career path. Every effort I made to advance my career felt like I was beating my head against a brick wall. I was getting nowhere.
Last year when a 2-year contract position was winding down (and not getting renewed), it finally dawned on me that maybe this wasn't the right path. Maybe all the proverbial head-on-brick banging was the Universe trying tell me ENOUGH already! I finally listened. It took me every second of those 10 years, though, 'cause apparently I have a pretty thick skull. :-)
I'm telling you, as soon as I made the decision and closed the door on my career, new doors began flying open left and right. You can read more of my story on the About Us page at www.gratefulgrebe.com, my first web site.
My new business is internet marketing. I have a business plan almost done. My first web site is up and live (if you visit, please help yourself to a FREE download of my first-ever eBook, Harnessing the Power of the Mastermind).
A couple of the unexpected benefits of working for myself has been being able to set my own hours. And I had the freedom to spend a lot of time with my mom those last months before she died--guilt free.
My life, my whole world, is expanding in ways I never dreamed possible even just a couple of years ago. I'm making friends with other like-minded entrepreneurs as we support one another's efforts. I have more energy. I was even asked recently to interview on a tiny little public radio station. www.vocalo.org. And I accepted. Although I work really hard and haven't made much money--yet--I am happier than I have ever been. Ever! I wake up grateful and excited every day!
I could go on and on about how much I love being an entrepreneur at 45--even the mundane stuff--but I started this discussion to hear what your experiences have been and where you see yourself in the next 5-10 years.
My theory is that the U.S. economy is going to lead to more layoffs and businesses tanking, that more and more people 45 and older are going to find it tougher and tougher to find a job. To my way of thinking, the only solution is to strike out on your own. Risky, yes, but I know in my heart that the only way I'm going to be able to sock enough away for my "golden years" and not wind up like my parents, god bless them both, broke and on Medicaid in a smelly nursing home, is to do for myself, which was another part of the epiphany.
What about you?
