Enterprise Nation

You may have heard the term ‘olderpreneur’ – it describes someone who starts a business later in life, as opposed to starting retirement. Yesterday we spoke to Chris Matthews who has just launched his home based business at the age of 56 and says "there’s no better time to start."

“I’ve worked in lots of businesses and played many roles” says Chris. “But I think I could have possibly saved the best one until last – the role of being my own boss!”

Having been a Finance Director for a multinational company, Chris was used to flying around Europe and being constantly on the move. When the business was sold, he decided it was time to head home and start working for himself.  

“Early retirement was never an option for me because I knew I would get bored within a week. Starting my business was a perfect compromise. It meant I could work from home and work the hours that suited me. There was no more dreaded commute and I could spend more time with my wife.”

Which is exactly what Chris is now doing as he starts up his accountancy business. Each morning he gets up and gets dressed as if heading to the office of his former employer. Only these days, he just has to walk to the other end of the house to get started!

When we ask Chris for his one piece of advice for anyone else wanting to start a business in their 50’s, he replies:

 “Work as hard as you can for the first 6 months when you’re starting up and then sit down to write your business plan.”

Chris’s plan is to run the business over the next 6-7 years and then take stock again!

Best wishes to you Chris and your new business, Accounts Assist (Milton Keynes.) 

Links

• The rise of the ‘olderpreneurs’ - TimesOnline
• PRIME Business Club
• Working 5 to 9 – how to start a successful business in your spare time - My second book, available to pre-order, includes several case studies including that of Anne Clark, who's looking forward to working on her own business into retirement.

Emma Jones
Emma is founder of Enterprise Nation, a business expert and author of Spare Room Start Up and Working 5 to 9.

Photo credit: Trendwatching.com