By Anne Drury-Godden – GreyMatter Contributor

Being over 50 and starting a business is both a blessing and a curse. Yes, the wisdom is a bit more pronounced, and the knowledge of how to navigate certain bureaucratic rules of the game. Life suddenly becomes a mixture of excitement, optimism, and trepidation.

Health comes into it, of course, and you can accept that you’re not 21 anymore, and the brain cells are not firing as well as they did. Not to mention the issues of menopause, family situations, finances, and the crazy world throwing fear and doubt into the mix.

My husband and I run a Disability Support Agency, which we started as Covid emerged in 2020. I personally have a background in Community Services and Aged Care, while Rob is the HR expert with a strong Recruitment track record.

Our business was born of necessity and a passion for helping others. We thought, “Hey, let’s give this a red-hot go – we both enjoy empowering others, and advocating for those who have issues advocating for themselves.”

I was full of creative ideas and lived experience with anxiety, but completely hopeless with numbers (maths and I have never been friends). So handling the accounts? Not a chance. Rob, on the other hand, is a whiz with admin and operations. Together, we make a great team.

Heartfelt Support started out with two clients, both on the NDIS. As an older person it was essential to appeal to that demographic for our business, and both of our initial clients were middle aged. Rob started assisting with transport and then through both word of mouth and advertising, we began to grow.

Throwing ideas around came easy. We developed programs around Equine therapy, Music, and Art, as well as Social support in the community, which became integral to our business. We have a dedicated team, and many of them bring life experience that aligns with their work as Mentors, Carers, and Counsellors.    

Being over 50 has helped us in so many ways – life experience teaches so much about empathy, listening to clients and then using both practical and creative skills to create an existence that feels comfortable and is infinitely better for the client.  Seeing people’s lives improved has been such a motivator, and it’s a privilege to be invited in to facilitate change.

As an older woman, I am still trying to fit into a modern world that is ever changing. But do creative people ever fit in, or are we destined to fly by the seat of our pants constantly?

Imagination and innovation is not just for the young, and the tech savvy.  What us over 50’s have on our side, is a wealth of experience, and an abundance of failed experiences, which we learn from. Plus, we are so resilient!

Coming from a working class family, and as Migrants, owning and running a business was never in the stars. It’s seen as a betrayal of our working class roots, and even as an older person, that guilt is entrenched in me.  

But, for those people wishing to start their own business, I say Go for it!

Don’t listen to Negative Nellies, as they are quite often threatened and don’t have the capacity for change. Do your homework, and be realistic and prepared.  And if, like me, you’re over 50, it’s never too late to start and act on your passions – Good Luck!! – Anne

Anne has a background in community service and raising a family. She has surprised quite a few people by launching a new business as she turned 60. Now that same business has 30 employees and looks after hundreds of people!

Her business is called “Heartfelt Support”

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