I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit for almost as long as I can remember. I recall catching minnows and selling them to local fisherman at about age 8, making bracelets out of seashells and selling them at the roadside with a girlfriend at about the same age. Having a greeting card and small gifts business from age 9 to 14. Perhaps you relate. However, once I graduated from university I got into the mindset that I had to have a “real” job and work for someone else in order to have security and benefits. When our kids were growing up, my husband was an international consulting engineer who travelled about 6 months of the year, so even though I yearned to be an international consultant I felt I needed to have a “real” job with benefits, and be the stable one in the family. Throughout my career I held a number of well-paying positions that were stimulating and allowed me much independence.
When I attended a course on Project Management in a Government Environment my life began to change. The course instructor was a partner in a management consulting company. He spotted my facilitation skills and before long we met and he offered me to be a contractor with his consulting group. About 6 months following the course, I left my “secure” and well-paying government position to become a contractor/independent consultant on a handshake. I worked with the consulting group for about 6 months learning a lot of processes and gaining experience designing and facilitating everything from town hall meetings, to national consultation processes, to strategic plans, to multi-stakeholder partnership-building activities. After 6 months, the partner who had brought me in had a philosophical split with the other two, and invited me to join him in his new company. I thought about it, and decided I didn’t want to “take sides” so then I began working in my own process/management consulting business. Before long my business took off and within two years I was thoroughly enjoying working for myself and was making 6 figures. I haven’t look back since having launched two successful management consulting businesses and a life and business coaching company.
Recently I was connected with an amazing woman, Pat Duckworth, through the Evolutionary Business Council/Institute of which I am a member. She invited me to be part of a book she was writing on “midlife women entrepreneurs”. It was an extremely positive experience, and I’m happy to announce that today Pat is launching Hot Women Rock, a book that chronicles the journeys and wisdom of Pat herself and 21 other midlife women entrepreneurs including myself. You may obtain your complimentary copy on launch day October 4 at https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Women-Rock-discover-entrepreneurial-ebook/dp/B01JEV9T6Q
I’d love to hear from you about your entrepreneurial journey and lessons, and welcome your comments below. Please share with others who you think might find this of interest.
What a gift. Thank you Pam. Going to get it right now…
Hi Iyabo, Appreciate your support 🙂 . Enjoy!
Congrats, Pam! You are indeed a wonderful inspiration.
Thanks Laurie! I just heard from Pat Duckworth that “Hot Women Rock” made #1 on Amazon in Australia, Canada, the US and #2 in the UK! WooHoo! Warm Hugs, Pam
Great article Pam. I know many mid life entrepreneurs who ROCK. Instead of slowing the pace women are picking up the pace in unprecedented numbers. We want change and women are here to make it happen! 🙂
Thank Debra! Indeed there are a number of us. It’s so true that women are leading positive change in the world.
Great title thanks for sharing and yes i am a midlife entrepreneur- left safe secure employment at 40 to start my own handpainted textile art biz, now reinventing my self again in mu 60s xx
Thanks Suzie! Good for you to have the courage to leave secure employment and to keep reinventing yourself! You GO Girl 🙂
What a wonderful journey Pam. I dreamt of my own business for the longest time. I knew since very young I was not an employee material but at the same time I didn’t want to start a business I didn’t feel so strong in my bones. I have found it and now I’m finally an entrepreneur doing something I dearly love. Congratulations on your best seller!
Hi Claudia, Appreciate your positive feedback. Good for you for waiting until you knew what you were passionate about to start your business. Thanks!
I wrote my first blog post at 63 and published my first ebook at 65. Don’t let anyone ever tell you you’re too old to do anything your heart desires!
WooHoo, Congrats to you Barb! It takes courage to “put yourself out there”. Yes I plan to keep reinventing myself for many years to come 🙂