Digital business for women over 50: AARP agrees, it's time.

A Note From Colleen

Hi, Friends.

I did it!  I sat down with the Thought Leadership team from AARP over dinner. It was a great (eye-opening) conversation. They are expanding the conversation around ‘aging’, which is great, but I think we need more.

Before we jump in: Have you registered for the upcoming (FREE) workshop on August 18: Simple Start Digital Business? I will share the A, B, C’s of starting a digital business after 50, including time and money investments to expect.

Cheers,

Colleen Kochannek, Publisher

*This publication may include affiliate links and links to products I sell. If you click and buy, I may earn revenue and/or commission. 

Nobody’s Coming To Save Us, But We Can Save Ourselves.

In 1900, our life expectancy was just 32 (can you imagine?). Today, we’re nearly living three times longer, but society and our own planning haven’t caught up to this new reality.

My recent dinner with the AARP Thought Leadership team was enlightening. They're tasked with bringing AARP into the modern age and representing what they call ‘the new aging’.

Many of you responded to my call in last week’s Gumption Gazette edition, sharing ideas and issues to bring up at the AARP dinner. Thank you! The #1 concern you raised was about money—specifically, not having enough for the future.

I was candid with the AARP team. I shared that I didn’t see myself reflected in their current resources, which seem geared towards much older adults (Medicare, nursing care, etc.).

I also pointed out that some of their current publications, like The Girlfriend blog and The Ethel Facebook Group, felt condescending. They either make us feel like we’re in our 20s again, bee-bopping around with our girlfriends, or like we’re overly permed, blue-haired ladies, instead of treating us as the capable, competent adults we are.

(Side note: I have nothing against the term ‘girlfriend’. I have many girlfriends, but in this context, it feels like it’s trying to make us believe we’re younger.)

We are the age that we are, and our age today is far different than even a few decades ago. We have strong decades ahead that we must plan for and fund.

Surprisingly, the AARP team agreed about The Girlfriend and The Ethel. As it turns out, the thought leadership team is separate from the media side of AARP. I hope they can connect and collaborate better in the future.

The most surprising part of the evening was their lack of familiarity with the digital business space and how it’s a great option for women over 50.

They understood ‘online business’ as the dot-com, venture-funded startups we read about in the news. They didn’t know so much about solopreneurship and micro-businesses.

I explained the concept of a digital business: taking a know-how or expertise, translating it into a digital product, and selling it.

I shared examples from my students:

• How to raise backyard chickens in town

• How to plan an annual family reunion

• How to research your town’s history

• How to plan for a cross-country RV trip

• How to build budgeting spreadsheets

• How to watercolor for beginners

I think I opened their eyes to the opportunity a digital business offers women over 50. A digital business can be ramped up or down depending on financial goals and needs, has a low barrier (and risk) to entry, can be run from anywhere, and can be built around a know-how or skill we love.

I’m leaning into this 3rd Act Entrepreneurship concept more deeply than ever. It’s a great (and viable) option for those of us who need and want to continue generating income but don’t want to be employees forever (or aren’t given the chance).

What do you think of 3rd Act Entrepreneurship? What would hold you back? HIT REPLY and let’s continue the conversation.

I think it’s time to ditch the ‘anti-aging’ nonsense. It’s everywhere: anti-aging beauty products, ‘Aging Gracefully’ communities (as if aging is something disgraceful). Corporations are raking in profits by making us feel bad about a completely natural process.

I know the communities centered around ‘aging’ mean well, but it’s time to re-frame the conversation.

Every conversation seems to revolve around ‘fighting aging’ rather than embracing and being our best at every age.

I often hear women say, “I am too old to start a business.” By whose rule book? What age is officially too old?

If we allow ourselves to be put in this ‘too old’ box, we’ll miss out on living the life we truly want and need.

FREE Workshop - Simple Start Digital Business - August 18, 2024 

REGISTER HERE 

What You’ll Learn:

1. You'll learn how to create a simple digital product from your own expertise and experience, without having to learn some new skill.

2. You'll learn the fastest way to get that digital product out and selling using a tool as simple as navigating Netflix.

3. You'll get a no-nonsense approach to marketing so you don't have to shake down family and friends to buy your product.

4. You'll learn what time and cost commitments are involved in launching your business (much less than you might be thinking).

OPEN HOUSE: Get personalized advice and answers to your burning questions. This isn’t just about generic information – it’s about addressing your specific needs.

REGISTER HERE

There will be a limited-time replay available.

I drove to and from St. Louis to Columbus, Ohio for my AARP dinner (about 7 hours) . I love the WAZE app for road trips.  It’s super helpful alerting for accidents and road delays, objects on the road (and police up ahead... shhh, don’t tell).

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