In a world increasingly focused on financial independence and early retirement, entrepreneurship is gaining popularity across all age groups. But what happens when retirement actually arrives? Many older adults are choosing to start businesses to fill their time, pursue their passions, or supplement their savings.
While media often highlights young founders and sensational tech startup stories, the reality is that more than half of all small business owners in the United States are over the age of 55. With age comes experience—and data suggests that older entrepreneurs are more likely to succeed. In fact, a 50-year-old founder is twice as likely to build a company that goes public or gets acquired compared to a 30-year-old entrepreneur.
Meet 11 inspiring entrepreneurs who started after 50 and discover how their life and professional experience gave them a solid foundation for building successful businesses from scratch.
11 Successful Entrepreneurs Who Started After Age 50
From roasting coffee beans and raising alpacas to developing inclusive skincare, these founders prove that it’s never too late to pursue an entrepreneurial dream. Each of them chose to start a business instead of fully retiring—leveraging a great idea and decades of life experience.
1. Carl Churchill
After serving in the military and working for other startups, Carl Churchill chose entrepreneurship later in life. When the 2008 recession hit, Carl lost his job, and his family had to rely on dwindling emergency savings—even selling personal belongings to make ends meet.
They decided to change their strategy: they withdrew funds from their bank account and began selling coffee beans. Today, Carl and his wife Lori run Alpha Coffee together. They’ve expanded the brand from their basement to two physical locations. The Churchills have also regained financial stability—they work hard seven days a week to maintain their business and lifestyle.
“We’re very happy with where we are,” says Carl. “We’re paying our mortgage, improving employee benefits, and contributing to our community. Our kids are proud of us and what we’ve built.”
2. Trisha Trout
In 2008, Trisha Trout was 50. She and her husband Timothy had just built a new home and were raising two teenage sons. But in June, Timothy was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away that fall.
As the primary breadwinner, Timothy had supported the family. Now, Trisha was on her own. Financial strain forced them to sell almost everything they owned—including their house.
When Trisha realized that life insurance payouts wouldn’t last forever, she turned her hobby into a source of income. She now runs Prairie Sage Soap Co., a business she built from the ground up. “Starting a small business requires total commitment,” she says. “It was exactly what I needed to move forward while grieving.”
Now a grandmother at 64, Trisha finds joy in life’s simple pleasures. “I appreciate the small things—like feeding birds and squirrels, and being able to visit Starbucks almost every day.”
3. Katonya Breaux
Katonya Breaux noticed a lack of clean, effective sunscreen options for people of color. In 2014, she decided to create her own. After two years of experimentation, she launched Unsun Cosmetics, a mineral-based sunscreen brand that quickly gained editorial praise. It’s sold online and in over 5,000 CVS stores across the US.
“If you’re going to start a business, do something that truly matters—something that makes noise and gets people talking,” says Katonya. “Don’t just make what’s already out there. Create something unique.”
4. Rob Urry
After retiring at 52, Rob Urry bought a 40-foot fifth-wheel trailer and planned to travel around Utah and neighboring states. While outfitting the trailer with lighting, he was disappointed with the products available. So, he decided to design his own.
Rob left retirement behind and founded Kogalla, a brand that creates high-performance lighting products for adventurers and travelers. “After the excitement of retiring faded, I felt the need to create and build something,” he says. “I always wanted to start my own company but struggled to take the leap.”
Though his career as a music executive prepared him for entrepreneurship, there was still a learning curve. “My advice to other entrepreneurs is this: if you don’t want to handle social media, SEO, email, and web design yourself, find a business partner who has strong experience in those areas.”
5. Nonna Nerino
For years, Nonna Nerino hosted down-to-earth cooking classes from her home in a small Italian village. When the pandemic hit, however, this popular tourist attraction suddenly lost all its customers. Family and friends suggested she try virtual classes—and Nonna Live was born.
Now, with help from her granddaughter Chiara Nicolanti, 86-year-old Nonna live-streams her cooking process to fans worldwide. The business has even expanded into physical products—like bottled golden olive oil made from region-specific olives.
For Nonna, adapting to technology was the biggest challenge. “She has a strong soul,” says Chiara. “She didn’t always listen to me and insisted on doing things her own way.”
6. Rowena Montoya
Rowena Montoya and her husband Frank once enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle—traveling often, raising five children, and helping family members in need. At the peak of their financial success, Rowena often joined Frank on business trips, bringing homemade caramels for his clients.
But in 2009, the financial crisis in the US forced Frank to close his company. While Frank worked to rebuild, Rowena realized her caramels could become a business. With significantly reduced household income, she turned her hobby into a venture. JulieAnn Caramels are now sold in stores across the US and have even been featured on home shopping networks.
“I don’t give up easily,” says Rowena. “I taught that to my children, and now the tables have turned—they’re the ones cheering me on. I can’t quit because that’s not what I taught them.”
7. Sonja Detrinidad
After a successful 16-year career in mortgage lending, Sonja Detrinidad noticed the industry changing—stress levels were rising. To distract herself, she took on a zero-budget landscaping project at home and blogged about it. Soon, others began seeking her plant-sourcing advice.
After receiving requests via WhatsApp, Sonja left her job and began selling plants full-time. She quickly shifted to a formal ecommerce model and launched Partly Sunny Projects in March 2020. “I thought, ‘Who’s going to buy plants during a pandemic?’” she says. “The answer was: everyone.”
Today, orders far exceed what Sonja can handle alone. Her husband helps when he can, and she recently hired employees. Much of her success stems from her popular TikTok account, where she’s known for authentic plant-related content. “I’m a menopausal woman in my 50s,” Sonja says. “I don’t have the energy to be anything but real.”
8. Jaswant Kular
Jaswant Kular wanted a simple way to pass the art of traditional Indian cooking to her daughters. She found that many products on the market contained additives, artificial ingredients, and high levels of fat. At 60, she began creating her own spice blends.
After positive feedback from friends and family, Jaswant’s products were featured at a food festival—and sold out completely. She co-founded Jaswant’s Kitchen with her daughters, and today the products are sold online and in over 100 stores.
Jaswant spent considerable time perfecting her recipes, but she believes it’s her life experience that made her entrepreneurship journey successful. “I couldn’t have done this when I was younger,” she says. “I didn’t know what the world needed. It took all these years of experience to bring me here.”
Her advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs in her age group? “Conquer your fear. You’re about to enter the best time of your life. It’s time to live on your own terms. It takes hard work, but the rewards are greater.”
9. Colleen and Jim Seiler
Colleen and Jim Seiler had over 25 years of experience selling odor-control products. In 2011, a friend was diagnosed with cancer and needed medical marijuana to manage symptoms. She wanted to mask the smoke odor and reached out to Colleen and Jim for help.
In 2013, the couple (both over 50) delayed retirement and launched Kushley, a brand offering a line of organic consumer products designed to eliminate smoke smells. Colleen says they “hit the streets” to promote the brand, introducing it at trade shows and conferences.
While technology posed the biggest operational challenge, Colleen believes the key is to “embrace and hire young people who are fluent in today’s tech.” Her advice for others in a similar position: “Make sure you’re doing something you love at this age. Now is the time to shine.”
10. Carole Baskin
Before becoming a household name thanks to the hit series Tiger King, Carole Baskin was already a serial entrepreneur. Her primary venture, Big Cat Rescue, is a nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to rescuing wild cats from captive and abusive situations. It was founded in 1992.
At 55, Carole launched a second for-profit store to support legislative efforts aimed at protecting wild cats. This business wasn’t a retirement project—nor is it even her full-time job. She’s been investing in real estate since she was 19 and continues to do so.
Carole sees her age as an asset because she’s learned what matters over time. “The success of a serial entrepreneur comes from trying and failing,” she says. “With every success, you gain inspiration. With every failure, you gain even more!”
What’s her advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs over 50? “Just do it! Your kids are grown and gone. Now is the time to truly explore and change the world.”
11. Bernie Rothrock
After retiring from a 30-year teaching career, Bernie Rothrock accepted an invitation from his brother-in-law Tom to help manage his alpaca ranch. When Tom passed away, most of the herd was sold, but the new owner allowed Bernie to keep 11 alpacas. Bernie considered them pets—with no intention of making a profit.
“Alpacas are incredibly cute, neat animals,” says Bernie. “Our grandkids love them.” It was Bernie’s son Drew who suggested he turn his free time into a business. Since alpacas need shearing during hot summers, Bernie decided to turn the wool into products. He launched Maximus & Penelope, named after two of the alpacas, and now sells alpaca wool socks through an online store.
At this stage in life, Bernie is happy to break even and set aside extra money for travel and a peaceful retirement. Growth isn’t his main goal—he’s still getting used to being a business owner. “I didn’t really have an entrepreneurial drive,” he admits. “It just happened organically.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 50 too old to start a business?
Starting a business at 50 is not too late—in fact, it might be the perfect time. With more experience, fewer expenses, and often better access to capital, older entrepreneurs are well-positioned for success. You have the skills to be your own boss, and the risks are often lower.
What businesses can you start at 50?
Entrepreneurs over 50 can start any type of business. Many are inspired to turn a hobby into a brand, solve a problem they’ve noticed, or create an additional income stream for their later years. Consider businesses that align with your life experience, such as health products, coaching services, or niche retail.
Who are some successful entrepreneurs who started after 50?
Well-known examples include Bobbi Brown (Bobbi Brown Cosmetics), Arianna Huffington (HuffPost), and Edith Cooper (Medley). Other successful founders who started after 50 include Julie Wainwright (The RealReal), Ray Kroc (McDonald’s), and Bernie Marcus (The Home Depot).
Whether you're looking to turn a passion into profit or explore a new chapter in life, these stories show that it’s never too late to begin. 👉 Discover more entrepreneurial strategies that can help you launch a fulfilling venture at any age.