Changing careers in your 40s, 50s, and 60s

Did you know that older entrepreneurs are more likely to be successful than younger ones? Despite the stereotype of a young, driven entrepreneur in their 20s who overcomes all odds, the statistical likelihood of success as a new business owner continues to increase with age, right up until the age of 60!

Here are a few examples of successful women who found their chance to shine in later life:

• Martha Stewart published her first cookbook at age 41 and launched Martha Stewart Living seven years later

• Tarana Burke founded the Me Too campaign, which gained widespread attention when she was 44

• Arianna Huffington founded The Huffington Post at 55

• Kamala Harris became vice president at 57

• Grandma Moses began her wildly successful painting career at 78

• Gladys Burrill began her marathon running career at the age of 86 and set the World Record for the oldest woman to finish a marathon at the age of 92!

At Newborn Mothers, many of our most determined and successful graduates started their postnatal support careers in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. While some of them had worked in tangential fields like childcare, midwifery or lactation support, others came to us after decades in roles like:

• Corporate sales

• Music education

• Therapy & counselling

• Social work

• Graphic design

There are some good reasons why switching careers or starting a business comes more easily the older you get. Here are the top four:

Reason #1: You have a stronger sense of self

Remember when you were in your twenties, and you didn’t really know what you wanted to do with your life? It felt like the world was your oyster, but it was also kinda overwhelming. I like talking to people—should I go into sales? I like being in nature—should I look at marine biology? I’ve always been good at making things—should I take a carpentry class? Get a sociology degree? Pursue a master's in linguistics? How about teaching or accounting?

Now you’re older and wiser. You know what you’re good at. You know what you like. You know exactly the sorts of tasks that make the afternoon slip away in a haze of comfortable productivity. And you also know the tasks that make your teeth itch—the ones you can’t wait to outsource!

Knowing yourself means that when you start your postpartum biz, you won’t waste time trying to do it all. You’ll work smarter, not harder.

Reason #2: Many of your existing skills are transferable

If you’ve worked in a career or at home for a number of years, you are probably downright brilliant at certain things! Some people think that their skills are specific to the industry they’re currently in, but that’s rarely the case. 

In my own case (Antonia’s), I was nearly 40 when I decided to become a postnatal doula. My years of working in the tech industry helped me quickly get my business off the ground and running. I did all my own website development, graphic design, and copywriting, not to mention sales and marketing. Plus, my decades of experience in adult education gave me all the skills I needed to guide anxious new parents through the early postpartum months or prepare them beforehand with workshops and classes.

Read more about Antonia’s journey: From patchwork career to postpartum care professional

Reason #3: You may already have lots of networking contacts

Postpartum support businesses often rely heavily on word-of-mouth referrals. For clients, being cared for by someone in their own home, especially during the vulnerable postpartum phase, requires a lot of trust. New and expectant parents are far more likely to hire someone who is a friend of a friend or even an acquaintance of an acquaintance.

As an older person with years of experience, you probably have developed connections with many people inside and outside of your industry. You’d be surprised at how even the most tenuous relationships can lead to new clients.

Reason #4: You’re more confident

Have you noticed that as you age, you become more sure of yourself, clearer in your direction, and frankly intolerant of anything that distracts you from your big goals?

Here’s what Aniita told us when she joined our professional membership after graduating from the Newborn Mothers course:

I’m a certified NLP and hypnotherapist, relaxation therapist, and certified in birth preparation as well. For many years (I'm 64 years old), I've worked with children and families in nursery homes and preschools, always with private clients. I want to integrate the postpartum work as well in my biz.... that's why I’m here. My goal is to skip the day job and make a living only from my own business. I’m a mother of two adult sons and a grandmother of two girls.

Can you hear the confidence in her words? Is it any surprise that this self-assured, cool-headed woman is running a successful business in Denmark?

When we checked in with Aniita recently, she said she is out of her day job and focusing on her business, which is great news. You can learn more about her services on her website MindBodyBirth.

Why starting a postpartum support business might be perfect for you as an older entrepreneur

Enjoy work-life balance

Unlike birth doulas, postpartum care providers don’t need to be on call. You can choose the hours you want to work. Imagine being able to design a schedule that leaves lots of time for playing with your kids or grandchildren, spending time on your hobbies, and just enjoying life.

Do fulfilling and meaningful work

The World Health Organisation has acknowledged that the postnatal period is a critical life phase for mothers and newborn babies; however, it’s also the most neglected period when it comes to quality care. By choosing a career that helps to fill this gap in care, you’ll be making a real difference.

Many of our graduates tell us that after years in a job that wasn’t aligned with their values, they absolutely love the fulfilment and satisfaction that comes with supporting postpartum families.

For example, Newborn Mothers graduate Katie Cortes reflected on how disillusioned she felt after over two decades of hospital midwifery. She says:

“I used to go to work and just constantly be on the hamster treadmill, filling in notes and doing all the clerical side of the job and not really spending a lot of time with mums and babies and that's where I got the real joy from my job. So I started to think about becoming my own boss, but I didn't know what on earth that could possibly look like.”

These days, Katie helps mothers find peace as a sleep consultant in her business, Katie's Babies. She also teaches the sleep module in our Postpartum Education and Care Professional training.

About her new career, Katie says she has,

“...so much more job satisfaction now. People will call me months down the track and say, Hey, how you going? Guess what's happening? They'll shoot me through the next issue that needs dealing with or to say they're pregnant again. They've had enough sleep, that little bit of magic.”

Listen to Katie’s story on the podcast: Creating a Sleep Business

There’s never been a better time to change careers

Some people feel a little nervous about re-training and starting a whole new venture, and no wonder! It can be a big commitment, especially if you’re already balancing lots of needs.

Here’s a story you might find inspiring. Jo emailed us, asking:

“I am a qualified social worker currently working with the Victorian Department of Education. Reading about this course is rekindling something inside and I’m drawn to it. I currently work three days per week, my 3 children are grown up, but juggling needs of unwell parents and parents in laws. Wondering if there are big time consuming assessments or manageable ones?

I guess I want to dive deep but not have assessment guilt if I have too many time constraints.

With my social worker and community development background and my friendly personality I think I would be good at it, but to be honest, I’m finding it hard to make the jump.”

We replied and let her know there is definitely no assessment guilt here at Newborn Mothers!

Most of the lessons are under 20 minutes, and the workbook activities are practical and designed to develop your skills. 

To graduate, there is a completion quiz demonstrating that you understand the scope of the role and can practise safely. 

You also get lifetime access so you can take as long as you need to complete the course.

So Jo enrolled, and six months later, she emailed again:

“I have just completed the quiz, and just wanted you to know that this course has been perfect for me. My daughter is 39 weeks pregnant and I've been able to share her journey with her in a deeper way. She has officially asked me to be her post-partum carer, along with her husband in the weeks following. This course has assisted me to feel confident in my role.

I'm so glad I went on this journey and enrolled in the course, and now I'm beginning to explore new paths for the future... exciting!“

So within the space of half a year, Jo had completed the course, become a Postpartum Education and Care Professional, and shared her daughter's pregnancy journey in a deeper way. Now, Jo is confident to provide her daughter's postpartum care and explore new paths for her future.

Age is just a number

Embrace switching careers late in life and make the most of the new opportunities! Your life experience, diverse skillset, and wisdom make you unique in the postpartum support field.

Sarah, one of our graduates, told us recently:

“For some women, the fact that I am 60 will be what attracts them to me. I am finally coming to the end of my permanent job as a Montessori under three parent and child educator and looking forward to making "Prepared Parenting" a reality.”

As a woman in your 40s, 50s or 60s, there’s never been a better time to choose meaningful work that makes your heart sing. If you want a career that lets you set your own hours and make a living while helping people, you are invited to join the postpartum renaissance.

Ready to explore a career in postnatal care? 

Download the guide and learn how to start a postpartum business providing valuable support to new families, PLUS create flexible and meaningful work for yourself.

Newborn Mothers Postpartum Education and Care Training includes 12 modules on caring for new families, including mental health, breastfeeding and sleep support, plus a bonus module on business and marketing so you can actually get clients and get paid. If you want to transform the lives of Newborn Mothers and make a living while doing so, then this training is for you.