You’re Never Too Old To Start A Business - Simple Steps To Get Started

I hated hearing success stories of people who reached huge success early on in life. There were amazing dancers who started dancing at age 4 and graced stages on broadway by their mid-teens. There were gymnasts doing backflips since they could walk and earning medals before their twenties.

Then there were the Mark Zuckerburg's of the world, creating million dollar websites in dorm rooms.

These stories never inspired me. Instead, I thought about how I spent my youth ignoring my teachers, playing video games and sleeping while others chased dreams.

I spent my teens thinking about cute boys and prepping for college only to use those college years clubbing and chasing a degree I didn't use.

When I finally had the desire to build a business, I couldn't help but wonder "Am I too late?"

Comparing myself to these people who had big dreams since birth, I worried that I was too old to start something. I worried my time had passed. I was in my mid-twenties. (I know, silly right?)

Once I started building Thrive Lounge, I realized that many of the women who were in my courses and hosting Vision Board parties were in their 50's - completely debunking fears that I had in my early twenties. They showed me that starting a business at 50 or older is totally possible……you just have to get started.

But really… Am I Too Old?

Quite simply…… no.

 At age 87, my Great Grandmother serves as an usher in her church and makes extra income from home by babysitting - after being retired for nearly 30 years.

 You are unable to start a business when you can no longer create or communicate, and to be honest that has nothing to do with age. It has to do with ability.

 As long as you can create value in this world, you can exchange that value for profit.

Why Should I Start A Business Now?

There are a lot of reasons you might want to start a business and I've listed some below. Before you get started creating anything, you'll want to understand exactly why you want a business.

Having a solid reason why will help you to follow through when times get rough.

Supplement your retirement income

Many Americans do not save enough during their working years to fully fund their retirement. Starting a side hustle while you're working can help you boost your savings and help with retirement catch-up.

If you’ve already retired, then starting a side hustle can help give you a better quality of life during your remaining retirement years.

Retire Early

Others may have done a great job saving during their working years, but want to leave their job a bit earlier than they anticipated. Maybe your job no longer fulfills you or you feel that a different purpose is calling you.

A side business can help you close the gap between the retirement savings you have and what you need to sustain your lifestyle until you are able to tap into those funds.

Fill your soul with the work of your choosing

If you've spent years working in a place that drains your spirit or energy, then you might simply be ready to do something for YOU. And that is 100% OK.

Starting a side hustle or business while you're still in the work force can help you to pay off debt and save extra money. Over time, you can grow your business enough to be able to quit your day job and transition into the business that you created for yourself.

Help the people you want to help

When you start your own business, you get to choose the people you help. I decided to start Thrive Lounge because I wanted to help women like me - the women who felt like they gave too much, dug themselves too deep in a hole and lost themselves in the service of others. I wanted to help these women find their identity, create a lifestyle they love without judgment.

Create the lifestyle you want after the kids have left home

The older you get, the older your children will get too. They'll need you less, and eventually, they won't need you at all. Those little people that dictated your schedule, are all grown up and your schedule is yours to fill with the activities of your choosing.

Share your experience

 You've spent years going through unique experiences - the good the bad and the ugly - and you got through all of them with your head held high. You built mental tools, professional skills, and a network that helps you accelerate through any challenge you come up against. Those experiences can now be used to serve others in a way that no one else can. There is only one you. No one can tell your story like you can.

What kind of businesses can I start?

The very first challenge holding people back is wondering what kind of business to start, but this is very simple because there are three business types that you can start.

Service-based business

 Service-based businesses perform a service. Examples could be meal prep, coaching or cleaning services. My great-grandmother has babysat children for her neighbors. We train people to host vision board parties and workshops in their own communities.

Product-based business

 In a product-based business, you sell a physical product. For example, people who bake can sell cakes, pies, and cookies. Painters can sell artwork. Writers can sell books.

Information products

 Information-based businesses package and sell knowledge. For example, someone who knows a language can teach others how to use that same language.

How To Start A Business (or Side Hustle) At Any Age

 Start with defining a "why" for yourself.

Above, I've already outlined some great reasons you should start a business. But those reasons could apply to anyone.

 Before you jump into anything, I want you to write down the one BIG reason you specifically want to start a business.

Determine what you're good at.

You've built up experiences and skills over your lifetime. Make a list of all the things you could sell as a service or product.

Make a game plan to get started.

If you're active in your community, this could be as simple as letting people know you're looking for a gig. You could reach out to your Facebook, LinkedIn or other social media networks to let people know what you’ll be doing. You could join local small business chapters in your town to start networking.

Set your prices.

Set a price that feels good for you at first. Something that you can say out loud with confidence and that doesn't make you feel like you're selling yourself short.

Actually sell one product or service.

This is where most people get stuck. It's easy to do the prep work, but you don't have a business until you go out there and sell something. Focus your energy here.

If you can make one sale then you know that your business idea is something that people will pay for. That means you can have confidence that you can sell again and again.

How To Get Started Right Now

1.   Say it out loud "I'm the perfect age to start a business." You must convince yourself that you're ready before you can convince anyone else.

2.   Brainstorm different business ideas. Start by simply brainstorming the possibilities.

3.   Pick One. Here's the moment of truth. Choose one idea from your list to devote your energy to. You don't have to marry this idea for life, but you gotta start somewhere to grow.

 There is no age limit on when you can start a business. As long as you have a desire in your heart to build something using your creativity, experience, and skill, you're ready. Take action today. One step at a time.

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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About the author

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!

The Easiest Getting Started Guide To Entrepreneurship (even if you don't have a business idea yet!)

You can't scroll through Facebook without seeing yet another entrepreneur peddling their sure-fire way to make millions on the internet...

...  in just a few short months.

... without spending any money.

... without building an email list.

... without any experience.

The list of unlikely events goes on.

In a world of hyper growth and an increasing need to tell the world about our wins, it's easy to believe that everyone has it all together except you.

"These online entrepreneurs can make entrepreneurship look much more glamorous than it actually is," says Eva Janotta of Simply Put Strategies.

One day, Eva found herself the proud recipient of a pink slip. (Not really, she just lost her job.) Rather than finding a new job, she decided that she would go out on her own, break the mold and build a business. 

I bet we've all thought about that at one point or another, but Eva decided to go for it!

In our #SideHustleGoals video series, Eva shares exactly how she did it - from start to finish. 

What Should You Consider Before Becoming An Entrepreneur? 

Your Current Lifestyle

Eva credits her willingness to jump into entrepreneurship head first in part to her life stage. She was young, bright-eyed and busy tailed and ready to take on the world.

Being young offers more than a playful innocence. You also have the best of both worlds - a youthful outlook on the world and flexibility in your habits. In many cases, you'll also have no family to support. (Entrepreneurship is a bit more of a risk when you have a child or two.)

 

Your Current Expenses

Eva was renting a small bedroom in a home shared with several other renters. Because of this, her cost of living was very low. She had flexibility in her living expenses and she didn't have a family to support at the time. Without a ton of huge expenses, she was confident she could take a chance on herself to start a business.

your Ability To Reduce Your Income

Essentially, you'll need time to build your dream. Time is something that's very limited - especially if you're working 40 hours a week at your 9-to-5 job. Eva was able to reduce her income because she reduced her expenses. With less bills to account for each month, she wan't in a huge hurry to find a job after being laid off. 

Get More Hours To Put Towards Your Business

Eva only needed steady income that would cover her dramatically reduced expenses. To ensure she would still have enough time to work on her business, Eva started working a part time job at a grocery store for 3 days a week.

How Do You Get Started?

The first business Eva built was a professional organizing business.

She enjoyed organizing her things and thought that professional organizing would be a great direction to take her life next. She planned go into people's homes and counsel them on what items to let go of, what to keep and how to arrange their things. 

 

Test Your Idea... On Real Clients

She got started immediately by out an email to her neighborhood listserv. She didn't charge her first few clients for her services. Instead, she offered to organize their things in exchange for testimonials.

She quickly got referrals and clients from around the neighborhood and her little business was off the ground.

By simply testing out the professional organizing business, she was able to validate that there was a market within her community that would pay for these services. 

Don't Be Afraid To Walk Away

Something unexpected happened once Eva worked with a few clients: She realized that professional organizing wasn't a good fit for her. #GoFigure

Eva could tell pretty quickly that professional organizing didn't make her happy the way she envisioned so she shut down her professional organizing business. 

"Stop things when they don't feel good" - Eva Janotta

Test out your product or service among a small number of users to see how you feel about them before building out your business.  

(Pro tip: Don't start your business by spending your time and money building websites and creating branding. Instead, see if there is a market out there for the business you would like to start AND see if the business is something you'd be interested in doing by simply trying it out first.)

Eva sees this as a huge success  because she didn't not waste much time or energy building out a business and marketing plan for a business that didn't align with her vision for her life.

Pivot, When Necessary

After one #EpicFail, I would've totally been sitting in a corner, licking my wounds, but not Eva! 

She leaned on one of her past experiences when a friend came to her needing help with social media. Eva was officially in the social media marketing business.

It turns out that online marketing felt just right and energized Eva in a way that professional organizing did not. Her business grew from word of mouth and her clients (who totally loved her work) started telling people other about her.

Over time, things started to pick up pace.

Use All The Tools In Your Arsenal

Eva leaned heavily on her past experiences to become a brilliant social media marketer. You can always take skills that you already have to build something that will be valuable to your community. What skills do you already have that could add tremendous value to someone else? 

Take Baby Steps

Remember that job Eva had at the grocery store?

Once Eva's social media business started to grow, she noticed that she didn't have enough time to do both.

Rather than completely lose her stable income from the job, she decided to work less days over time as her income from Simply Put Strategies started to grow.

After her first year of business, Eva dropped from 3 days to 2 days per week.  Just six month later, she dropped to 1 day a week. Finally, Eva made the leap into becoming a full time entrepreneur after two years of business. 

 

It Doesn't Happen Overnight

Entrepreneurship is not a sprint, it's more like a marathon. Take your time learning how to build it right. Build a strong foundation on which to grow your dreams.

 

Get Ready For The Ride

Becoming an entrepreneur isn't nearly as glamorous (or fast) as many social media posts might lead you to believe. In fact, Eva will be the first to tell you about how emotionally challenging being an entrepreneur ban be. But if you're up for a challenge and ready to build something of your own that you can be proud of go forth and prosper, my friend!

It's totally do-able! 

xoxo

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

 This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!