From Boardroom to Business Owner: Exploring Entrepreneurship in Your Next Chapter

What if the next phase of your life isn’t about winding down, but rising up to something that’s truly your own?

You’ve spent decades succeeding by every traditional measure - climbing the corporate ladder, leading high-performing teams, managing multimillion-dollar budgets. And yet, something inside whispers: There’s more for me. Something that’s mine.

That was me. After 35+ years as a senior corporate marketing executive working in boardrooms, building brands, and leading powerful teams I realized I was ready for a new kind of success. One that felt more personal, more purposeful, and on my terms. So, I made the leap. I left corporate life and launched Purposeful Pivot, my coaching and retreat business designed to help high-achieving women like you navigate life transitions and redefine what fulfillment means. Was it scary? Absolutely! But I haven’t looked back.

And I’m not alone. More women over 50 are turning to entrepreneurship than any other demographic. Not because they have to but because they choose to. Whether it’s launching a passion project, consulting in your zone of genius, or creating a community-centered brand, stepping into entrepreneurship can be a liberating and purpose-filled way to shape your second act. But as with any transition, success in business isn’t just about having the right idea. It’s about having the right mindset, structure, and support.

Here are four key shifts to consider as you explore entrepreneurship:

1. Financial Preparedness: A Different Kind of Planning

While entrepreneurship offers freedom, it also requires a new relationship with risk. You’re now your own safety net, so financial planning is foundational.

• Build a 12-month runway of living expenses, or create a scaled-back “lean launch” version of your business.

• Consider fractional work or part-time consulting to fund your venture in the early stages.

• Consult a financial advisor who understands entrepreneurial transitions, especially for women in midlife.

  
  

2. Mindset Matters: From Perfection to Possibility

In corporate, you were rewarded for precision and consistency. Entrepreneurship rewards curiosity, adaptability, and resilience. You don’t need every answer before you begin, you need the courage to try. You will stumble, learn, and evolve. And you’ll discover that the freedom to be and build on your terms is worth every step.

3. A New Flow: Designing Your Days, Your Way

Say goodbye to the 8-to-6 grind. Now, your calendar reflects your values.

• Want to start your mornings hiking or journaling? Go for it.

• Need creative energy mid-morning and quiet thinking in the afternoon? You get to choose.

  
  

This autonomy can be exhilarating—but it also requires new routines, boundaries, and self-discipline. It’s less about time management and more about energy alignment.

4. Strategic Support: You Don’t Have to Go It Alone

Just because you’re doing something for yourself doesn’t mean you need to do it by yourself.

Seek out mentors, join mastermind groups, and connect with others on similar paths. Consider hiring a coach to help you clarify your vision, build momentum, and stay accountable when doubt creeps in.

If you’ve been feeling the nudge to do something more purpose-driven and personal in this next phase, entrepreneurship might just be your path. Not to hustle harder, but to live truer.

You don’t have to have it all figured out, just be brave enough to explore what’s possible.