Ep 6: Midlife Entrepreneurship For Women
Midlife is often a period of profound transformation, especially for those ready to redefine their careers and personal lives.
In this episode of The Soulful CEO Path, host Kristin Constable interviewed Brenda Rigney, a business coach who supports midlife women transitioning from corporate careers to entrepreneurship.
Here are 5 focused steps from their conversation on how to create an aligned, impactful path in business and life by leaning into core values, embracing change, and redefining success on your own terms.
1. Reconnect with Your Core Values
At midlife, it’s natural to question whether your current path aligns with your values. Stepping away from a corporate career often means re-evaluating what truly matters. In many cases, the traditional markers of success, like titles and paychecks, become less fulfilling, and personal values take center stage. This transition allows you to design a career that aligns deeply with who you are.
Begin by identifying your core values and how they manifest in both your personal and professional life. Perhaps community, creativity, or flexibility resonates with you now in ways it didn’t earlier in life. Once you clarify these values, use them as a compass for making business decisions that reflect your true self.
2. Embrace the Concept of a “Second Act”
The idea of a “second act,” as inspired by women like Jane Fonda, invites midlife individuals to reimagine life beyond traditional norms. Brenda spoke passionately about viewing midlife not as a time of crisis but as an opportunity for reinvention. This second act is a chance to build something truly aligned with your vision and desires.
For those considering entrepreneurship, this means designing a business that serves your lifestyle and personal growth goals. A second act doesn’t have to mean starting over completely; it’s about carrying forward the experiences and lessons from your first act and applying them in new, meaningful ways. Whether it’s starting a business or exploring a new passion, midlife is the perfect time to create something that reflects who you’ve become.
3. Honor Your Unique Needs in This Phase of Life
Midlife brings physiological and emotional changes, and honoring these shifts is essential for creating a sustainable, fulfilling career. It is important to alignin your business with the natural rhythms of your body and life. For example, many women in midlife experience changes in energy levels, sleep patterns, or even cognitive focus due to perimenopause or menopause.
Building a business around these shifts can help reduce stress and create a healthier, more enjoyable work-life integration. If you find that you’re more productive during certain hours, structure your schedule around that. Create a business model that supports regular breaks, or prioritize tasks that align with your strengths. Recognizing and honoring your unique needs allows you to build a business that truly supports you at this stage.
4. Redefine Success on Your Own Terms
Midlife is a time to break free from the expectations and metrics of success that defined earlier stages of life. Transitioning from corporate life meant letting go of the traditional definitions of success—titles, office hours, and rigid routines—and reimagining what success looks like. Chose to create a business that supported her personal relationships and allowed her the freedom to spend time with loved ones without sacrificing her professional goals.
Take time to consider what success means to you now. For some, it might mean financial independence; for others, it could be flexibility, creative freedom, or the ability to make a positive impact in their community. This redefined vision of success will guide your business decisions and give you permission to build a career that feels both meaningful and aligned.
5. Surround Yourself with Supportive Mentors and Peers
Midlife transitions are often smoother when you have a support system of mentors and peers who understand this stage of life. Connect with others who have navigated similar transitions. Whether it’s a coach, a peer group, or a mentor, having people who encourage your growth and provide guidance can make a significant difference in this journey.
Seek out communities of like-minded individuals, whether they are also in midlife entrepreneurship or share similar values and goals. Surrounding yourself with supportive people provides encouragement, accountability, and a sense of belonging as you navigate this new path. These relationships often serve as a foundation, offering insights and perspective that remind you of your own resilience and capacity for growth.
Navigating midlife entrepreneurship is an opportunity to build a business that reflects your true values and aspirations. By reconnecting with your core values, embracing a second act, honoring your unique needs, redefining success, and surrounding yourself with support, you can create a career path that feels aligned, fulfilling, and impactful.
🎧 Listen to the full Soulful CEO Path episode with Brenda Rigney here:
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