Thriving in Business After 40: 12 Essential Tips for Women
Your experience and wisdom are your superpowers—embrace them, and let them fuel your success in both life and business.
Starting or growing a business as a woman over 40 comes with its own unique challenges and rewards. I know this first hand having been a solopreneur during my midlife. Unfortunately, the business advice that I’ve run across is typically from young, 20-something influencers on social media, 30-year-old mompreneurs, or middle-aged men of the network marketing variety. And while they all have great insight and valuable tips, they don’t fully understand the special challenges that face the midlife woman entrepreneur.
After being in business during my 40’s, 50’s, and now my 60’s, I’ve figured a few things out that have really helped me. So, whether you're just getting started or already have some experience under your belt, these 12 tips will help you thrive in both business and life. Let’s dive in!
1. Prioritize Physical & Mental Health
Running a business is stressful, and life over 40 can add to the pressure. Make your health a priority! Your goal in midlife is stress reduction! Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and prioritizing your sleep quality can help lower stress and boost your energy. You’ll feel better, think clearer, and have more stamina for the challenges that come with being a business owner. If you need help in this area I highly recommend the natural supplements from Amare-The Mental Wellness Company. I’ve been drinking Happy Juice for several years and it’s made a huge difference in how I handle stress.
2. Work on Your Mindset Daily
Working on your mindset every day is non-negotiable! Confidence and self-image are crucial, especially as we age. I make it a habit of reading or listening to something to build my mindset daily. It’s also important to practice positive self-talk and remind yourself of your strengths and your blessings in life, every day. A strong mindset will help you stay focused on your goals.
3. Find Work-Life Balance
It’s easy to get lost in the hustle of running a business. But burnout is real! I know because it happened to me. Midlife is a challenging time for most of us with many changes and responsibilities, including running your business. Set boundaries and make time for the things that matter outside of work—family, friends, and self-care. A balanced life leads to a more successful business in the long run. Keeping things simple is KEY in midlife!
4. Create or Find a Supportive Community
As women, we need connection, especially when navigating the ups and downs of business ownership. Whether it’s joining a local group, an online mastermind, or building your own community, find people who understand what you’re going through and can offer support.
5. Embrace Your Passion, Purpose, and Wisdom
This is a doozy! Don’t let your age hold you back and prevent you from sharing your gifts with the world. You’ve reached an age where you know what you love and what you’re good at. Embrace that!! Use your passion and the wisdom you’ve gained over the years to drive your business forward. Your unique experiences are your superpower!
6. Build a Strong Personal Brand
In today’s world, your personal brand is everything! Unfortunately, when we hit midlife our confidence often takes a nose-dive and so we hide away from being the public face of our business. If you struggle to put yourself out there, please refer to point #2. In the meantime, you might want to grab my Faceless Marketing Handbook. Building a faceless brand is much harder, but it is possible, and a good alternative while you work on your self-confidence.
7. Get Professional Branding Images
Nothing boosts confidence like seeing yourself in a professional light. As a professional photographer, I’ve created beautiful, professional branding images for hundreds of midlife women and I saw firsthand how it boosted their self-image! Investing in branding photos not only enhances your personal brand but you’ll feel more confident showing up online, which attracts clients who connect with you. It’s worth the investment.
8. Nail Your Niche
In midlife, you want your marketing efforts to be streamlined and efficient. If you haven’t nailed down your niche, you’ll be wasting a lot of effort because trying to appeal to everyone often means appealing to no one. Focus on a specific niche—who you serve and how you help them. When you nail your niche, it’s easier to market yourself, attract the right clients, and create services that meet their needs.
9. Master One or Two Social Media Platforms
Social media can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to be everywhere. Choose one or two platforms that complement each other and that your audience is most active on. Master those, and you’ll see much better results than spreading yourself too thin across all platforms.
10. Create Systems to Reduce Overwhelm
Systems are a lifesaver. They help you streamline tasks, stay organized, and reduce overwhelm. Whether it’s automating emails, scheduling social media posts, or setting up a task management tool, having systems in place frees up your time for the more important things.
11. Use Long-Form Content for Passive Growth
Low energy in mid-life is a real thing. Unfortunately, social media marketing can be more of a hard hustle that may burn you out rather quickly. But there is an alternative! Blogs, podcasts, and YouTube videos are great examples of long-form content that have a much longer shelf life than a typical social media post. This type of content can continue working for you long after they’re published. They help build trust, establish you as an expert, and drive traffic to your business. Plus, they’re a great way to offer value and connect with your audience without the constant pressure and hustle.
12. Build Multiple Streams of Income
Having a Plan B is crucial, especially in midlife. I know this up close and personal! Health challenges can strike suddenly, and you may need to take a break from your main income-producing activity. Diversify your income streams by offering different products, and services, or even creating digital courses. This ensures that if one stream slows down, others are still flowing.
13. Don’t Stop Learning
The world is always changing, and so are the strategies for marketing your business on social media. Keep learning, stay curious, and don’t get stuck in old-school ways. What worked on social media five years ago doesn’t work today! Whether it’s new social media trends, marketing strategies, or mindset techniques, staying up to date will help you grow your business and keep it thriving.
There you have it—12 practical tips to help you as a midlife business owner! Remember, it’s never too late to start or grow a successful business, and your age is an asset, not a limitation. Take these tips and make them your own as you build the life and business you’ve always dreamed of.
It's never too late to build the business of your dreams. With passion, purpose, and the right strategies, success is just around the corner.
If you’re ready to take your business marketing to the next level, I invite you to check out the Roadmap Exclusive Course. This course will help you master social media marketing, nail your niche, create systems, and build a brand that attracts clients. It's all about getting real results and simplifying your marketing efforts.
You’ve got the experience—now let’s make sure the world sees it!
