A few months ago, I blogged about starting a business at 60. This blog attracted quite a bit of attention from people who were considering doing the same !
I’ve been on quite a learning journey for the last 8 or so years… I’d always worked in the public sector until the age of 55, and always wanted to start a business of my own but just got caught up in building a career in education. However, Ron gave me the push I needed to set up my own education consultancy business in 2012. Whilst I am still working in education – about a day per week – I’m enjoying our commercial business – the farm shop – so much more. OK, a salary doesn’t arrive in the bank account automatically on the same day every month, regardless of the amount of work you have or have not done….. but I get such a lift when something in the business Ron and I set up actually works ! So, for example, the pork pies have given us a great start, the Sunday lunches are really successful….. the courses are doing really well… Grill Cider Sunday with Jaspels is attracting new customers…… the café/bistro is developing… all of this is based on what Ron and I have planned.
We’ve had an advantage on younger people who are starting a business……..we’ve been able to use the knowledge, skills and understanding that we’ve acquired over the years, we can better understand and withstand risk… There have been disadvantages, too: we are frustrated that we don’t have the energy to work 12 hour days and then go out socialising ! Long term planning isn’t an option……… But it continues to be great fun !!
Ron and I have learned so much in the last four or five years about setting up a small-holding and a farm shop. We are happy to share our experiences with anyone who is interested in doing something similar – at any age. Just give us a call if you would like a conversation…. For those of you who need some in-depth discussions, please take a look at our website http://www.bryncelynfarmshop.co.uk/consultancy/
That’s all for now ! I’ll blog again soon !
2 Comments
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It’s great to see what you have both done and hoping to do . Lovely couple, so keep up the good work…..and make sure you have some chill time too x
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Really inspiring to read your blog. You have gave me some encouragement!
Good luck for the future. Will be coming to visit your farm shop.
Kind regards
Lynne Humphreys