Seeking case studies of over-50s who set up own businesses

I set up Startup School for Seniors, with my colleague Mark Elliott, at 58, after losing my work during the pandemic and wanting to support others like me to become self-employed. Since we started, we have helped nearly 500 people to create businesses that range from horticultural classes to boxing gyms, crafts such as jewellery, sewing and baking to others running social purpose businesses or charities. What we find unites this incredibly diverse community of older individuals is the desire to find work that is flexible, makes them happy and provides them with control over their income.

As a business psychologist and psychotherapist specialising in working with business owners, I can talk about some of the issues that particularly impact those in their 50s starting a business - both good and bad - as it is a very particular stage in life. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to chat.

Hello, my name is Rebecca (52), and I am the business owner of Rebecca Oxenham Jewellery.

I set up Rebecca Oxenham Jewellery in 2020 after being made redundant from my job. At the time I was off work ill with what I was told was a viral infection which then developed into Long Covid which caused me chronic fatigue. Unable to work full time I decided to turn what had been my hobby and side hustle into my business.  This was a difficult time for me, not only because of my poor health with an unknow illness but because the country was in chaos with the pandemic.  Making jewellery and being in nature was my therapy. I love nothing more to be out in the countryside or by the sea, walking my dog and enjoying the beautiful scenery around me.  I find myself collecting shells, bark, leaves and other organic items I discover along the way and come home with pockets bulging – just like a child!

​I have now branched out and also run jewellery making workshops. Please get in touch for more info.

Until March 2020, I had a successful events company with exhibitions and conferences planned for clients that included the WWF and Parkinson's UK. When the pandemic hit, and events were cancelled, I found that as my company was a limited one, I wasn't entitled to financial assistance from the Government.
As a woman and triathlete going through the early stages of perimenopause, I noticed the need to adapt how I trained, and the combination of the loss of events business and this life change led me to re-evaluate and reinvent my work. At the age of 52 retrained as an Ironman Certified Coach and at 55 I qualified as a Level 3 Personal Trainer. I now coach women both in person and online across the world. My strapline is 'Reset, Recharge, Reclaim - Realising your power at any age' as I am passionate about supporting women to be the best version of themselves, cutting through the mainly male-focussed training protocols. I am extremely proud that I have managed to reinvent myself at 55!

Having been furloughed in Spring 2020, I decided to retrain, as I had time on my hands. I trained as a celebrant. I was made redundant in August (which was on the cards given the state of the business in lockdown) so I launched my new career in 2020 at the age of 52. I haven't looked back and now have various income streams including being an SEO coach to other celebrants worldwide and couldn't be happier with being a business owner and a solopreneur.

After a life-changing accident and spending my 50th birthday laid in bed unable to walk... it was time to set up a business that would allow me to work from behind a laptop.

I worked back through my entire career, seeking the one element of every job I had ever had which I enjoyed. Writing marketing copy came out top.

I set up Raspberry Flamingo before I was able to walk unaided once again.

It started steadily - because I wasn't able to concentrate for any length of time.

After six months of working full time, lockdown hit.

The business EXPLODED.

Companies that couldn't operate due to restrictions started looking at their marketing. Websites were the main element to be updated. And, as I'm a specialist in SEO website copy, the work flowed in.

Once the website was written, clients wanted monthly blogs to keep their site fresh and Google interested.

I had to engage a team of writers to keep up with the monthly demand.

It certainly has challenges though!

My midlife crisis has resulted in having a tech startup. I trained as an artist at Central Saint Martins and then raced yachts for a living, so I was not an obvious person to experience such a pivot and create a digital aggregation service.
My hatred of spreadsheets and speaking in public has had to be crushed. But one thing that being in my more mature years has given me, is the confidence to go and learn something new. It's a great example for the kids seeing someone still willing to put themselves out of their comfort zone.
We have raised one round of institutional investment and are going for our second.

When the world was still caught in the tentacles of COVID restrictions, I bid farewell to my highly paid, stress-packed corporate life at the ripe age of 55 and embraced a completely different journey as a medical tattoo artist. Prolonged restrictions meant the momentum and growth I dreamt of were hit hard – busking crossed my mind!
My new life has led me to some incredible individuals, including breast cancer survivors who've already faced unimaginable challenges. Being able to help them feel more complete with a visual reminder of their strength, is a privilege that is priceless.
It’s a roller-coaster for sure! There are days when I look at my bank balance and wonder if I'd be better off going back to paid employment (or taking up busking!), but then I see the smiles and tears of joy on my clients' faces, and I know I've found my calling.
It's not always a smooth sail, especially with purse strings being pulled tighter and tighter, but the waves are worth riding.