I turned 45 last November, and my father asked me over my birthday lunch together ‘oh how does it feel to be 45’. And honestly, I hadn’t even thought about it. I had no negativity associated with being that age, and so I answered him with ‘great’. I’m extremely fortunate to be married to the man I’ve loved for more than 25 years, we have a teenage daughter who I could not be prouder of, we live in the beautiful Cotswolds that I get to enjoy walking with my dog every day. All that, and a business that sustains me mentally, financially and creatively. And it’s one that has only been in its current format in my 40s. I also came across a statistic that the average age of start-up founders is actually 45 in the US – so actually instead of becoming less valued maybe I’m actually at my peak?!

Why I believe it's never too late to start a new career

Isn’t it time we thought about the old ways where age was valued? Experience seen as something to benefit from. Life lessons that should be revered. The pursuit of youth in recent times is a far cry from how our ancestral communities grew and thrived. The ‘elders’ looked up to and listened to precisely because of their more advanced years. Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that everyone has something to give, whatever birthday they have reached - young or old.

I work with women in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties and beyond – some of the eldest of them have only just begun their entrepreneurial journey. I strongly believe there is no barrier to beginning – whether you’re hesitant because of your age or your background or your skillset. Everything you need to know can be learnt and experienced along the way. What’s more, you get to build it the way it works for you – hate social media – there are other ways; don’t want to sell at fairs, get an online shop etc etc.

Imagine how you might feel to be living your best life in 6 or 12 months’ time?

Don’t let your age become a barrier to that. It can also be daunting to consider changing career direction, perhaps you’ve been in the same career all your life and changing now seems too much of a hurdle to consider. Or perhaps you’re fearful of people’s reactions to you making such a big leap into the unknown?

Thoughts on beginning your own creative business by coach Kate Cullen

The fundamentals of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur don’t change simply because you’ve reached another birthday. In fact, the older you are the more likely it is that your life experience can help you advance more quickly than someone younger who has yet to find their own ways of doing things. What they may make up for in energy and freedom, older entrepreneurs match in experience, resilience, and knowing themselves. We all approach the journey differently – no one way is the right way, or the wrong way.