So many of us women over 50 get to this point in our lives and realize that we aren’t where we want to be. Whether that’s trying to make enough money to retire the way you deserve, making a difference in the world, or just doing something big, for you. Success after 50 is not a fairy tale. According to Forbes, “Women 50+ are the new entrepreneurial superpower” and that’s no lie. These inspiring women who became successful after 50 are leading the way for ladies just like you to start a business, a side hustle, or an empire.

I know what you are thinking… Isn’t it too late? Uh, no. It’s not over till it’s over ladies, and we still have the power to change our lives through entrepreneurship. All you need is a little inspiration and some good guidance. It’s never too late to be successful, however, you define it. If it’s not the end, it’s still the Middle!

 

 

Breaking Stereotypes: Why Success After 50 is Possible

Society has this misconception that older women are less. And that, my midlife+ gal, means that at some level, you probably believe it, too. But it’s a lie.

Women over 50 are more likely to be successful in starting a business than women in their 20’s and 30’s. We have the experience, the wisdom, and the drive to finally do something we are passionate about. We know a lot, and what we don’t know, we can learn. We are persistent, resilient, and adaptable, based on our life experience alone. And frankly, we know that we don’t have all the time in the world. We may need to get down to it to earn that retirement nest egg, or to make that mark, or to make that difference. Which means we have drive. It’s a gift, being a woman starting a business over 50.

The key is to have the right mindset. That basically means you need to know that you can. That you should. That you have all the tools you need to be successful, just by being you. That doesn’t mean there won’t be things to learn, hard work to do. But you can do it.

What would your life be like 5 or 10 years from now if you did it?

What will it be like if you don’t?

The Kauffman Foundation’s 2023 Report on Early-Stage Entrepreneurship highlights that the rate of entrepreneurship among people aged 55-64 has more than doubled since 2007, with women in this age group increasingly starting new businesses. The report indicates that nearly 25% of all new entrepreneurs in the U.S. are now in this age group, with a significant portion being women. Don’t believe me? Read my fact sheet on entrepreneurship with five different reports that have found women over 50 are still in it.

 

Skeptical? Read on…

Success Stories: Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs Who Started After 50

Story 1: New Career

Sheila Lirio Marcelo: From Personal Struggle to National Success with Care.com

 

 

Sheila Lirio Marcelo founded Care.com in 2006, at the age of 55, after struggling to balance her career with finding reliable care for her children and aging parents. She immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines, and used her own experience to build a platform that connects families with caregivers, whether for children, seniors, or pets. Her goal was to make it easier for families to find trustworthy and high-quality care providers.

Under Sheila’s leadership, Care.com became the largest online marketplace for caregiving services in the U.S., going public in 2014 and serving millions of families globally. Her business has been recognized not just for its commercial success but also for addressing a critical need in society—making caregiving more accessible and manageable for families. Sheila’s journey is a perfect example of how personal challenges can spark the creation of a nationally successful business, proving that it’s never too late to turn an idea into a meaningful venture.

 

Story 2: Entrepreneurship After 50

Gail Becker: Turning a Personal Need into a Flourishing Business

 

 

Gail Becker is a fantastic example of how passion and necessity can create a whole new path after 50. After a long career in corporate life and being disillusioned by the daily grind, Gail saw a gap in the market when she struggled to find healthy, gluten-free options for her sons who were intolerant to gluten. Instead of just wishing for better options, she created them herself at 57—launching Caulipower, a company that produces cauliflower-based, gluten-free pizzas. What started as a small idea quickly grew into a multimillion-dollar business, taking the world by storm.

Gail’s story shows us that life experience is a powerful tool. She had no background in food but drew from her skills in communication and her understanding of what her family needed. Her success highlights how age isn’t a barrier to reinvention—if anything, it’s an advantage. It’s never too late to identify a need, trust your instincts, and build something meaningful.

 

Story 3: Creative Pursuits and Passion Projects

Jaswant Kular: Preserving Tradition, Building a Legacy

 

 

At 60, Jaswant Kular wasn’t thinking about retiring quietly. Instead, she embraced her love for traditional Indian cooking, especially as she saw her daughters struggling to learn authentic recipes. Jaswant decided to share her expertise with the world, launching Jaswant’s Kitchen, a spice blend company that brings authentic Indian flavors into modern kitchens. What began as a family project has since grown into a successful business, with her products available in over 100 stores.

Jaswant’s journey is all about how personal passions can blossom into something bigger, even after 50. She tapped into her cultural heritage, created something authentic, and turned it into a thriving business. For anyone looking to follow their passion later in life, her story is a reminder that there’s no expiration date on creativity or success. She’s built a business that honors tradition while empowering others to cook with confidence—and that’s something we can all be inspired by.

 

Story 4: Advocacy and Making a Difference

Teresa Goines: Finding Purpose Through Empowerment

 

 

Teresa Goines, founder of Old Skool Cafe in San Francisco, is living proof that it’s never too late to change careers and make a lasting impact. After working in juvenile corrections, Teresa saw firsthand how many young people were trapped in cycles of crime and poverty, often with no path forward. At 50, she took a bold step, leaving her career behind to create Old Skool Cafe, a 1940s-style supper club that provides job training and employment for at-risk youth.

Running a restaurant is tough enough, but Teresa faced additional hurdles—finding funding, building trust in the community, and helping her young employees believe in their potential. But with her passion for changing lives, she persisted, teaching the youth skills in cooking, management, and customer service. Today, Old Skool Cafe isn’t just a business; it’s a community, offering these young adults a second chance to rewrite their stories.

Teresa’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pivot, use your life experience, and create something truly meaningful. Her story speaks to the heart of The Middle Girls message: we’re not done yet, and we still have so much more to give.

Need more? Check out this article on successful start-ups founded by people over 50 by the US Chamber of Commerce. There are so many women entrepreneurs who started after 50 to inspire us to live our dreams, no matter what our age!

 

Tips for Women Over 50 Looking to Start Over

Embrace Your Experience: Leverage your own life and career experience in new ventures. And that doesn’t mean you have to do the same thing you have always done, career-wise. But one of the benefits of getting to 50 and beyond is that we do have experience, we do have skills, we do have the knowledge we need (or we know how to get it!) to make our dreams come true.

 

Stay Open to Learning: Keep learning from others who have been there before, whether formally or through new experiences.

 

Seek Out Support: Building a network of like-minded individuals is incredibly important. This is one of the mistakes I made early on. Being an introvert, I just wanted to do it all on my own. But there are so many people out there, women out there, who have so much to offer. Not only to help you grow and market a business but to support you as an individual as well. Middle Girls need to stick together! Having a tribe behind you can make all the difference in having the courage to try.

 

Set Realistic Goals: Learn how to set achievable, meaningful goals that align with your personal passions.

There are so many reasons a midlife or older woman might want to start a business. The best one might be to be able to finance the best retirement possible. One where you are able to live your dreams, help your children, and leave a legacy. Even if you never saved a dime towards retirement, it is not too late! Look at these inspiring women entrepreneurs who started after 50!

I’m about to turn 57, and The Middle Girls is one of the best things I’ve done yet!

Need a shot of confidence, or to be reminded how society got into our heads to begin with? Check out my posts How to Boost Confidence, Self Respect and Self Esteem, and How Society Damaged Me (And probably you, too!) Also, How to Ensure Your Financial Future Over 50! And more at the Blog!

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