New career or is it too late?

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I know people have other things to worry about at the minute but any suggestions much appreciated.

To start I’m 36 and a single mum.

I had a business selling products to a niche market, I’m also skilled in that creative industry and won awards for my work. However I could never get the retail side of things to quite take off until I went online. Then business was really starting to boom, I closed the retail shop to go fully online as it was draining money - this was on the cards regardless of how online went.

Unfortunately I have been thrown an extreme curve ball and my online business has reduced by about 95% - this is not my fault and out of my hands, what was supposed to be fixed in a week as turned into 4 months. So I’m basically at another company’s mercy until it’s fixed. I’m so annoyed after years of struggling I finally catch a break only to have it snatched away from me.

Speaking to my parents and they were asking what I’m going to do for career when this is all over, that clearly the business isn’t working for me. I mentioned working for them in admin for the family business but they said no because I’m too scatty. Now they weren’t being unkind at all and I’m sure if I was really stuck they would give me a job - they are amazing people.

Truth is I am very scatty, I know that. But I’m also somewhat intelligent, I have a law degree and post grad in accounting. I couldn’t be a solicitor or an accountant because I am too disorganised for that. I thought about training to be a barrister but hate the thought of being self employed again. Also I don’t know if I have the right personality, I’m too meek. Also have taught before , but again I’m too meek to be a good teacher.

What should I do? Forget the business altogether and find a career or get a part time job hoping things will take off again. Am I too old to start a new career? What can an unorganised pushover really do?

If the business is what you really want to do, I'd stick with that and get a part time job to support it.

It's not too late to change career if that's what you want though.

Hi, I giggled at your phrase "unorganised pushover"... I would honestly recommend a career in accounting, if you have the qualifications already. It's well paid work and very varied, yes you have to be organized but there are millions of ways to manage and mitigate poor organisational skills. Rather than label yourself as useless think about all the good selling points you have.
Disorganised people often excel in a crisis, they can think on their feet and cope better with change than people who like sticking to rigid routine. You sound pretty unflappable to me.

Anyone who can drag a business through hard times has a lot going for them. If you feel you are more of a team player than a tough negotiator, look for a role where you can contribute to a group.

I'm thinking a role in management accounts may suit you, assuming your IT skills are not too shoddy.

I personally would not recommend training as a barrister, it's a very tough road at the start.

Don't be disheartened you are definitely not too old to try a new career