Many mature women are choosing entrepreneurship, despite it being a non-stereotypical activity. Whether it is a necessity or simply something different, they are actively choosing entrepreneurship over a typical 9-5.
Did you know that reportedly one in six new businesses started in the UK is done so by someone in the over-50s demographic?
Many of these women have had their children, and the children are growing up. They’re less dependent and not so time demanding – they’re living their own lives. These women have had the big corporate jobs, the massive responsibilities and they’ve travelled. They’ve hit their 40’s and started to take stock, asking themselves “is this it?”
Many are looking for something for themselves. Maybe it is a dream of a business idea that has been in the back of their mind but had been mothballed due to lack of time, resources, or funds.
It’s not all about the Insta-ready millennials who appear to be carving up the entrepreneurial space. The average age of a female entrepreneur in the UK is 48; this really is our time!
Bill Gates once said, “self-confidence is primary and then finding your passion is an adventure.” For some women over 40, this has never resonated more.
Why Now Is The Right Time
There are plenty of reasons why the time for us is right now. There has been a dramatic shift and increase in the 40’s+ starting their businesses, age is not a barrier! It feels like the perfect time.
Maybe you got married in your 20’s/30’s, spent your 30’s and 40’s focused on family life, supporting your partner and raising your children. Now it’s finally time to do something that is just for you.
With the kids now independent you can immerse yourself in any potential business plans and you can even work 14-hour days (if you choose!), without feeling guilty for not spending time with your family.
Gone are the days of rushing out for the school run at 3pm. Now the child-rearing part of your life is out of the way you might be keen to start your own businesses and bring that idea which has for a long time held your attention to life.
This Is Your Time!
Well I’m here to tell you and champion you by saying This is Your Time and You are a Force to be Reckoned With!
Setting up in business is an opportunity for many older women to develop a long-held ambition or fulfil a need for recognition and status. It can also help with feeling more independent as you have something that is just yours.
Still not convinced? Check out these amazing stats I found on Inc:
- A 50-year-old startup founder is 2.2 times more likely to found a successful startup as a 30-year-old.
- A 40-year-old startup founder is 2.1 times more likely to found a successful startup as a 25-year-old.
- A 50-year-old startup founder is 2.8 times more likely to found a successful startup as a 25-year-old founder.
And if you want a really fun statistic:
- A 60-year-old startup founder is 3 times as likely to found a successful startup as a 30-year-old startup founder – and is 1.7 times as likely to found a startup that winds up in the top 0.1 per cent of all companies.
The reality is that women over 40 have the will, grit and determination to make this their time. It’s so rare for anyone to tell you that you’re a great parent/wife/mother/ daughter. Building a business, a successful business, is the evidence that you’ve done a great job, and you won’t necessarily even need anyone to tell you that either; the results always speak for themselves.
So if you’re a woman who believes that this is your time – it really is, there’s nothing holding you back.
Bio
Linda Davies Carr, aka The Master Fixer, is a Business Turnaround Expert, Best Selling Author and Business Turnaround Coach.
Linda has had 30+ years experience in running businesses, at executive and board level for leading FTSE 100 companies. Leading and informally successfully coaching thousands of people she is well qualified to help in all elements of business. From retail to banking and so many in between.
Thanks for sharing