Lynn, making hand made dolls and creating a new business in her 50s
Fabafterfifty: Career
Our generation has pushed the limits and broken new ground for women in the workplace. New legislation regarding the raising of the state pension retirement age to 66 for many of us means that we are also expected to extend our working lives significantly. For women over 50 there are many options, whether you are continuing in your current career, returning to work after the children have left home or setting up a new business, we explore the possibilities.
-
Interview with Lynn Ede Our latest ‘Fabpreneur’ Lynn makes and sells beautiful dolls- I have been totally captivated by the images of them so I asked Lynn to share her story about her dolls and the business she has created. I am Lynn Ede of http://www.FloraLilly.com and live in Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, UK. I have three wonderful grown-up sons, the youngest of whom, 20, lives with me. What prompted you to set up a business in your 50s? Being 50 should not stand in the way of a good business idea; age isn’t important. In many ways, being older gives one more general knowledge and experience which is useful for such a venture. I set up FloraLilly – so named after my grandmothers Florence and Lillian – after making things for my home and friends and getting their positive responses, especially after making the dolls, leading me to think the products...
-
Has redundancy triggered depression in your partner?
Article by Caroline Carr You can spot them a mile off – someone who feels fulfilled, inspired and valued, and who adores their work. Whatever life throws at them, whether they have any mental health issues or not, they have a secure identity around their work and career – and it shows. Somewhere deep inside there is a sense of OK-ness. There is a sparkle, a sort of self-assuredness. But if that work no longer is, and the person isn’t needed anymore – that sparkle can vanish so quickly. We know that some depression comes about as the result of a trauma – and to suddenly find that you don’t have a job can be hugely traumatic for many people. Especially if there is no redundancy package to cushion the blow, and when other jobs simply aren’t there to be had. It’s interesting to me that people in their 50s...
-
Have you had to accept part-time work when looking for full-time employment in your 50s?
Article by Ceri Wheeldon The latest employment figures show the over 50 s as having the largest rise in long term unemployment, and many of those finding work accepting part-time roles. Many of us in our 50s have found ourselves in situations we could never have imagined a decade ago – underemployed or unemployed. With no sign of the economy improving in the short term how does this impact anyone in this situation? Are there any solutions? What do you do if your income from your part-time employment falls far short of meeting your requirements? Personally I cannot stress enough the need to remember that anyone currently in their 50s is far from at the end of their working life. Even if accepting part-time employment now, look at the long term picture too. What can we do if we have to accept part-time work? Can you use any additional skills...
-
How do you cope with ageist remarks in the workplace?
Article by Ceri Wheeldon I received the following email from a reader regarding ageism at work. I’m sharing this to see if others have experienced similar situations and if so, how they have dealt with the situation: “ I’ve recently turned 50 and have just discovered your website and follow you on Twitter. I find your articles very motivational and interesting. They help to give me confidence and inspiration as I enter the next phase of my life. One subject I’m very interested in is ageism in the workplace, particularly around derogatory comments made towards older people in the workplace, in the name of so called humour or misguided endearment. Older people seem to be fair game as the butt of jokes around old age and it’s been like this for as long as I can remember. Ageism hurts and robs people of their self worth In my experience, younger...
-
Fabpreneur Lesley turned impending redundancy in her 50s into an opportunity by buying part of the company!
Article by Lesley Bailey Together Gill and I are ‘The Little Pub Company’. Gill is fifty, married with 2 grown up daughters and one daughter in her teens. She also has one granddaughter. I (Lesley) am fifty nine, twice divorced and have two grown up daughters. Gill and I worked together for a small pub owning company based in the Midlands. Gill was my boss and the Operations Director for the company, whilst I prepared the company accounts. Last year the bank called in all the loans for the company we worked for and in effect we realized that as soon as they were all sold we would no longer have employment. We both realized that we may be facing a very tough future especially at our age and in the current economic climate. Deciding to buy part of the business One day last August, Gill came to me and...
-
Is the ‘Madonna generation’ defying the recession?
Article by Ceri Wheeldon It would appear that during the recession, it is the “Madonna generation” who have fared better when it comes to finding employment according to a study by the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development). This is great news, as we have extolling the benefits as to why women over 50 make great employees on the Fabafterfifty website for some time. The news should also be a confidence boost to any women over 50 currently seeking employment – you are very employable and employers do appreciate the skills you are able to bring to the workplace. Interestingly, the CIPD report also shows an increase in the number of women choosing to be self-employed - again we have seen just how successful some of our ‘fabpreneurs’ featured in our ‘Fabwomen’ section have been. Some key points from the CIPD study relating to women over 50 in the...
-
‘Fabpreneur’ Helen turned her passion for walking into a business
Article by Helen Wenley, Helen shares her story…… I live in Auckland, New Zealand. I am married to a dentist and have two young adult children living at home (I am an ‘older’ Mum) What prompted you to set up a business in your 50s? I like to stay engaged with the community, and doing something that gives me enjoyment means that I can provide others with the same opportunity. What did you do prior to setting up business? I have been an at-home Mum since my son was born in 1989. I also have done the book-keeping for my husband’s dental business from home. What is your new business? I have explored, and discovered short walks that I have documented. These self-guides can be downloaded from the website I built myself. Why this particular business? When our children were small we wanted to explore Auckland on foot with them. ...
-
Fabpreneur Rachel acquires the digital skills she needs to showcase her script writing to a wider audience
Article by Rachel Cochrane Most writers are used to being a recluse and accepting the stack of rejection letters as part of the territory. With the advent of digital media, I decided it was time to change this state of affairs, take charge of my own work and get it out to an audience somewhere out in the ether of the worldwide web. Up to this point I had concentrated on scriptwriting for film & TV, so how could I get my work out there without needing to remortgage the house? With a little help from my amateur actor friends I started to write & record my dramas as radio plays and very quickly I had to make the transition from being solely a writer to actor, director and producer – not to mention catering manager! But I obviously needed a platform from which I could reach my audience and...
-
Why I think The Apprentice should include entrepreneurs of all ages
Article by Ceri Wheeldon I have watched every season of The Apprentice since its early days before it became essential prime time viewing. As a headhunter I was intrigued by the tasks set and the long selection process of individuals who were essentially at the start of their careers. The current format where Lord Sugar is now in essence looking for a business partner and not an employee essentially changes the dynamics, and in theory the qualities looked for. Having seen the first 3 episodes of the current series and the lack of business acumen exhibited by some of this year’s applicants, I can’t help wondering if the age restrictions should be put aside to allow would be entrepreneurs of all ages to compete for the chance to be Lord Sugar’s business partner. With 71% of women over 50 surveyed in a recent poll indicating that they were considering setting...
-
Why I think it was easier to set up a business in my 50s than it was in my 30s.
Article by Ceri Wheeldon When I set up my first business in my early 30s, the financial investment needed was far greater than the investment needed today. I needed a PC, business quality printer, fax machine, copier, and telephone system all of which came to an initial investment of around £7000 and delivered far less functionality than a laptop and all-in-one printer costing hundreds of pounds today. On top of that I had to rent an office and install ISDN lines. Phone calls were paid for by the minute, mobiles were still not an everyday tool. Investment in business stationery was significant. As was postage. The business day revolved round meeting the 4pm post deadline. Marketing of services was reliant primarily on print , radio and trade shows. All of which had to be budgeted for and carried significant costs. Of course word of mouth was always free! Fast forward...
Follow Us
