There's no such thing as too old!

FunAfterWrinkles is a area for mums over 50 who are looking at starting a new era in their lives. There are plenty of opportunites out there for the over 50s who want to earn a little extra money or start a new venture that will enable them to change their lives! We don't believe it's ever too late to make a difference or chase a dream. Just make sure it's in something you enjoy! 

I read an article once in the Times about a man who started designing and making cameras in his sixties and is sucessfulling running his business from home, now in his 70s! He was selling the camers at Christies for over £1000.

We are constantly being told that the population is getting older, but unlike the previoius generations, the new 50+ year olds are younger in outlook, more vibrant, energetic, and prepared to live life to the full. So why not start a business???

Just remember that no business is easy to start or maintain, so find an idea that you enjoy and go from there. It may be using the skills you learnt at work or a hobby that may make you money. If you think your work life hasn't given you any skills, then think again.

For example - Are you organised, reliable, are your communication skills good, can you manage more than one thing successfully? Well then, maybe setting up as a virtual assistant may be the idea for you.

If you have no idea what you want to do, but you want to do something, then have a look at our business ideas page for some inspiration.

Failing that - as a starting point make a list (I like lists - they help you think clearly!). List all your skills, things you're

good at (and the things you're bad at so that you stay away from them), things that make you happy Ask your friends to help make the list. Often your friends and family will see qualities that you just take for granted! Go through the list and see if anything jumps out at you - are there skills you never realised you had, can they be used in a business sense?

If you need more "outside help", an impartial person who can help to organise your thoughts, try a Life Coach or a Life Coaching book (check out our Book Shop run by Amazon)

There is a wide range of help for the overfifties who want to start a business. Have a look below at some of them:

  • Try the Direct Gov internet portal which has a section for the overfifties at over50.gov.uk

  • Support in England and Scotland can be found at Prime (the Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise) helps those over 50 into self-employment www.primeinitiative.org.uk 

  • Support in Wales can be found at Prime Cymru

  • For general advice check the Citizens Advice Bureau website citizensadvice.org.uk

  • Business Link provide advice, courses (many of them free), mentoring services and lots more at www.businesslink.gov.uk

Good Luck!