I launched an app at nearly 60 instead of retiring. I didn't let my lack of tech experience intimidate me, and I'm more fulfilled than ever.

"Retirement was never really in my vocabulary - not in the way people expect. I turned 60 this year. I never thought I'd be launching a tech company at this stage in my life, but here I am, building a startup I love, working 60 to 70 hours a week, and feeling more fulfilled than ever. I've always been an entrepreneur"

"After graduating, I started my first business in the fitness industry, a fitness store that expanded throughout Northern Ontario. I ran that company for over 30 years. When the pandemic hit, I sold it in a seven-figure deal and made enough to retire comfortably. Everyone assumed I'd do that. My daughter had just given birth to my granddaughter, and I'd wrapped up a decadeslong business. However, it just didn't feel right. I knew I still had more to give."

"I started working with one of the local Chambers of Commerce. That eventually led to the idea for my new venture, the Chamber Perks App, which helps the Chambers of Commerce deliver more value to their members. It felt like the perfect next step: solving a real problem, supporting small businesses, and doing it on my terms. I had no background in tech, but I didn't let that intimidate me"

Karen Hastie, 60, sold her decades-long fitness business during the pandemic in a seven-figure deal and secured financial independence. Instead of retiring, she began consulting and mentoring small businesses and working with a local Chamber of Commerce. That collaboration inspired the Chamber Perks App to help chambers deliver more value to members and support small businesses. Hastie launched the app despite having no tech background, leveraging decades of entrepreneurial experience and outsourcing technical work. She currently works 60–70 hours weekly, feels fulfilled, has an exit strategy, and plans to transition to a more hands-off role within a few years.

Read at Business Insider