Middle Aged Entrepreneurs – Who Are They?
Hello everyone. As an introduction, I need to tell you something about myself. I am an entrepreneur! You’ll probably laugh when I say this next part, but I discovered just recently that I’m middle-aged! Middle aged was kind of a shock to me because I don’t feel middle-aged and I don’t look middle-aged. Right?! Don’t answer that! 
Anyway, middle-age just kind of snuck up on me. It’s not like I didn’t know how old I was. It’s just one day you ’see’ things differently! You finally ‘see’ your adult children and grandchildren and you see retirement looming in the very near future. It’s when you recognize that all the people around you are 45 years and younger and that everyone else in the workforce is waaay younger than you!
So if you’re over 50+ all types of things are changing that make you pay attention to your immediate financial future. We worry about social security and if it will be available for us. We think about retirement, insurance and what to leave the children and grandchildren. I personally started worrying about how much longer I wanted to work and how could I live comfortably in this economy and who knows when it will turn around? For those of us that are middle-aged, time seems to be moving very quickly nowadays! So the logical thing for me to do was find something that could help me meet my financial goals and I could worry less about my future. So I became a middle aged entrepreneur – a new breed of network marketer!
Is There A Middle Aged Entrepreneur Trend?
There are an estimated 78.3 million Americans who are considered baby boomers or middle aged folks born between 1946-1964. Many of us are expected to retire or are in the throes of it. But our economy is particularly challenging and retirement may not be an option for many of us. I know how tired I am now…and working until I’m 65-70 seems somehow unimaginable to me! Many people I know are working long and far past retirement just to live reasonably and comfortably. Many people my age are looking for supplemental income and considering home-based businesses as an alternative or for supplementation. Five years ago, for the first time in my life I considered being a middle age entrepreneur and a home-based business owner …considerably later in life than most people.
Middle Aged Entrepreneurs Are On The Rise
When I started thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, 80% of the people at the business meetings I attended seemed to be people under the age of 45′. Although middle aged entrepreneurs are on the rise, there were still considerably less people like ‘me.’ We don’t think about entrepreneurship or working a home-based business because we grew up with the ‘workforce mentality. But now, times are changing and more middle aged entrepreneurs are looking at legitimate home based businesses. I’m here to tell you that it may be our ‘middle aged saving grace’ in an economy that is still struggling to improve.
What’s a Middle Aged Entrepreneurs Problem Anyway?
Many network marketing company leaders may push to market online, get involved in social media, and get leads on line when the reality is, most
middle aged entrepreneurs may not be computer literate or even have computers or may not be as quick to pick up on the latest technologies or social networks as quickly as the younger generation computer gurus. I know that may seem unimaginable to most, but I’ve come across it over and over again as I build my business. I’ve discovered the ‘norm’ is over 50+ may not be computer or social networking savvy. Of course, there is old-style, nose to the grindstone old fashioned network marketing, but if the wave of the future is technology and social media, how does a middle aged entrepreneur keep up and build a business?
Can A Middle Aged Entrepreneur Be Successful Anyway?
Yes – we’ve got to get with the program. Be flexible, be open to new and exciting ways of meeting people, socializing and doing business. In addition, there are many reasons why a middle aged entrepreneur can be very successful. Here are 8 reasons why you as a middle aged entrepreneur can have success in a home-based business. Middle age entrepreneurs are likely to:
- Be more focused and determined to get what they want out of life as many are looking at a limited timeframe to get things done.
- Be more settled having accomplished many of the things like education, marriage and children. Their business and financial goals are top priorities.
- Understand what they want and are more likely to stay on the path for a longer period of time to see their goals come to fruition due to their maturity and lack of distractions. Many people who start an MLM or home-based business don’t stay in it long enough to see their returns.
- Be experts at time management and organization. These learned skills, usually coming from a corporate or management background are useful skills to help in any business.
- Know their ‘Why’ before anyone ever tells them to write one.
- Interact with people easily in order to accomplish your own business goals.
- Have long previous relationship experience. They’ve already established networks of people over their lifetime that can help them become very successful entrepreneurs. They’ve got a larger network of people to pull from.
- Have more capital to invest in their new business ventures. One of the prime objections in network marketing is ‘they don’t have the money.’
If you have found this helpful, please leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thank you for listening.
Regards,
Barbara Charles, The Baby Boomer Entrepreneur
Barbara,
Wow I never thought about that. But look what age group is more likely to succeed? Don’t get me wrong there are a lot of young talented people out there for sure! But overall what age group would have the maturity and focus to make a home based business work? I think you are blessed more than you know.
Steve
Steve recently posted..Use Onlywire To Auto-Syndicate Content To Facebook Groups
Thanks Steve. I agree. I am truly blessed. Blessed because there are so many like me out there looking and searching for help and I have been blessed with people who helped me and now I can pay it forward! Love that about this business. And very true…maturity and focus are definitely what’s needed to succeed in this business. Two thumbs up to the middle aged entrepreneur!
Hi Barbara,
I love it! I was an entrepreneur most of my life, so it is quite easy for me to go with the newest trends. It excites me. I’m a baby-boomer and notice that my peers think I’m nuts for doing things that I do.
For me, it keeps me sharp, focused and excited to learn something new each day. I just enjoy that.
On the flip side, I teach that! This is the exact reason why I started internet marketing. As a psychic for 30 years, I still take 3 to 4 clients per day. Most of which are “middle age” and in turmoil because of the financial state of the planet.
They cannot count on their retirement programs because either they disappear or it is just not enough to live on. It is a wake up call for them. So I entered this business as a forerunner for my dear clients to follow. I learned so many ways for them to share their talents and abilities via internet marketing.
One teacher is now teaching language on the internet, another client of mine is a virtual assistant. The list goes on. But the point is baby boomers need other baby boomers to lead them to financial freedom.
Keep up the good work!
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..The 80/20 Rule
Aaaamen Donna. Baby boomers do need other baby boomers to guide them. When I got into the business, I was always looking for people like me…it was tough feeling the odd ‘woman’ out! It’s wonderful that you are able to help us. We have such different thoughts and worries so it takes a special person to help others ‘see.’
Thank you for stopping by and validating what I was feeling and what I’m (we’re) trying to do. Thank you for your kind words as well.
All Baby Boom Entrepreneurs Unite!
Barbara
Most businesses are best built with the help of friedns. Unlike the traditional professions (doctor, dentist, minister, professor, etc.) business is a team sport. Starting a new business is like starting a farm in the mid 20th century. Early on you would have a barn raising, like in the movie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. One of the most important principles I have learned is that whatever you need, somebody else already has, and they are willing to share if you give them something they need. Synergy and leverage of relationships have been extremely powerful factors in my success.Buddy Hodges recently posted..
Hi Sude. I love this advice and you are absolutely right. Working together as a team brings everything together and makes the task (being an entrepreneur) easier. Thanks so much for your input.
Regards,
Barbara
Barbara…you know what I love about this article? It seems like you have found your sweet spot. I LOVE that! Thanks for sharing so many useful tips on what a middle aged entrepreneur can do to find success in the home based business industry. It’s a fast-growing sector of our economy, and you are PERFECTLY positioned to do well in it. Great work, lady!!!
Christi Johnson recently posted..The Real Reason Your Spouse Doesn’t Support Your Business And What To Do…
Awww thanks Christi. I owe it to you my friend and mentor who helped me ‘find’ myself! And it’s new and exciting to boot because I’m seeing more and more in that sector! Thank you for helping me find my ‘spot’ and thank you more for your patience!
Hi Linda,I think you have hit on 2 of the most critical iteredignns for entrepreneurial success mindset and preparation. Even if we have wanted to be our own boss for years that doesn’t mean we are psychologically ready to make that leap. If you take your employee mindset (i.e., waiting for people to acknowledge your contributions or tell you what to do next) into your own business you are going to grow VERY slowly, if at all. The skills that made you wildly successful as an employee are not the same skills you will use to grow your own business. But that is one of the most energizing aspects for me. I bore easily so working in corporate often led to periods where I was not as challenged as I wanted. Continuing to develop the leadership and servant mindset necessary to thrive as my own boss is always exciting and challenging and I love it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, AllegraAllegra Sinclair recently posted..
Excellent Laiza. You are so right. People need to change their mindset from the corporate to entrepreneur mindset in order to be your own boss. Very different way of thinking. Excellent comment. Thank you so much.
Hi Barbara a really interesting article that made me think. I will look positive on my age and experience
Thanks Angus. Just a different perspective for us baby boomers.
than done though. Takes lots of time and many miaketss if you don’t have someone you trust teaching you with a good business and game plan. I would suggest the best chance of success is to network with like minded people like at TSA Mastery. They can Google it. They allow people to have that abundance mindset that every business professional needs. Finding out what people are doing and not being afraid to ask questions is the key to making a good living doing what you enjoy. People there usually are pretty professional and won’t try to make you join their business. : )Rick SalasRick Salas recently posted..
Thanks for the input. The thing about Middle Age Entrepreneurs is that many may not be computer savvy or ready to handle the internet. It will help with business understanding and training though. Thank you.
Hi Barbara. I agree that middle age can be a shock. I’m actually a senior citizen, and I still feel that same as I did when I was younger, except I know that I’m smarter and have more experience. You are right about the difficulties that older people can have with internet business. We didn’t grow up with it like the young people today. It can be done, though. I learned to use Windows when I was 44 (and I was starting a country band at the same time), so I can testify that middle age can be a wonderful time to try new things and develop new skills. Thanks for being a mentor for boomers.
All the best,
Leslie
Leslie Denning recently posted..The Empower Network Product/System
Hi Linda,I agree that a simple buesniss plan is important and works well as a roadmap to success, as long as you don’t get stuck in the planning stage! Analysis Paralysis, as they call it, sets in often with people. Sometimes you just have to get out there and do it! To me the most important thing is to go with what you know. Most of us have learned a lot, had hobbies, responsibilities and had a job as one time or another. Those skills need to come into play so you can feel secure in what you’re doing that you know what you’re doing! Self-confidence is key, I believe.Deb Augur recently posted..
Hi Barbara, Wonderful Post!! You spoke about Baby Boomers but there are also the pre-Baby Boomers like myself one of the War Years Babies (older senior citizens) who are starting out as an Entrepreneur retired such as myself (age 71 years) and developing a passion of mine (Genealogy) turning it into a business teaching the younger ones more about their family roots. Never too old to branch out!!
Yes Mary-Lou. You are absolutely right – there is a group of pre-baby boomers. We are all actually in the same predicament. Hopefully, the information will get to all who need it. But you bring up an interesting point. We may have to do an article on it!
Take care. Appreciate your comment. It’s good information. Thanks.
I actually wanted to develop a simple comment in order to appreciate you for all the awesome techniques you are giving out at this website. My particularly long internet search has at the end been rewarded with useful facts and strategies to talk about with my two friends. I ‘d claim that we readers are extremely blessed to dwell in a notable site with so many perfect people with beneficial techniques. I feel pretty grateful to have seen your site and look forward to plenty of more exciting minutes reading here. Thank you once more for all the details.
Hey Linda,I just came up with this the other day. Looking at this from a network maitkerng point of view, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is an indicator that will predict a persons success or failure, regardless of any other factor involved.I call it the What are you doing NOW test. At least until I come up with a better name for it. So here goes: Anything you’re not doing in your business while you still have a job, you won’t do after you quit your job. Meaning: If you’re not posting to your social sites every day, if you’re not posting to your blog regularly, if you’re not emailing your list daily, if you’re not on the phone prospecting daily, if you’re not studying sales and phone techniques, guess what?You won’t do it when you’re full-time in your business and you will inevitably fail.My suggestion to anyone contemplating going full-time in their network maitkerng business is this:Take note of what you’re doing. Are you making a list every night of things you must accomplish in your business the following day? Are you prioritizing that list, and resolving to finish those tasks? Are you working as long as it takes regardless of whether you feel like it or are tired? Have you consistently followed your plan for weeks, or better yet months? Are you making progress in your business now, or are you fooling yourself into thinking that when you have all day to work on it THEN you’ll get some momentum going?If you can’t honestly say that all of those things (and probably a few more) are true then YOU ARE NOT READY TO GO FULL-TIME.Keep your job until you have proven to yourself that you have the self-discipline to ensure that you are doing what needs to be done on a daily basis. Believe me, that bank account of yours will dwindle with frightening speed, and mindset won’t refill it. Sure, you gotta have the proper (or at least a success oriented) mindset, but it’s the actions you perform consistently that will determine your level of success.Dave Kotecki recently posted..
I simply want to mention I am all new to blogs and seriously liked your web-site. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You actually come with terrific writings. Kudos for revealing your web-site.
Thank you.
Very good, very useful to me, Thank you very much post.
Thank you so much. I appreciate you stopping by.
I really like post.
Thank you.