To start my own business at 45, although no idea what in...looking for inspiration

[Greengrotbag]

I've been a SAHM for several years now, did a part-time contract job for a year, but that's gone now. I really miss working and having a purpose, especially since my children are 8 and 10 now. I feel my identity has disappeared, all my friends have careers and I'm annoyed with myself for just going from job to job rather than building something. My background is financial services, treasury and risk. But I'm not actually qualified in anything. I used to get really good jobs but now when I send my CV I don't even get replies. So I'm thinking I should start my own business...but no idea what in.
I do enjoy writing, researching, engaging with people and developing relationships. I'm comfortable with numbers and IT. I hated all the corporate BS that went along with my old jobs.
I don't mind retraining but I'd rather not spend more than a year or so doing that.
Any ideas please?
Thank you

What about setting up as a virtual assistant?

Online TEFL??

Get yourself on a dog grooming course and set up in that!
I'm in an affluent area of Edinburgh, and there just aren't enough groomers here. The demand really is incredibly high.
My dog has an appointment next Sunday - finally! - which I booked 6 weeks ago at least.

Have you looked at any “Re-entry” programmes for banking/financial services. A lot of firms have these programmes for people who have taken a career break- starting with a 6 month paid job trial, whilst they assess what level you should come back at and then they help you find an appropriate perm role.

Join the Facebook group "Life begins at 45" its a facebook group run by a business coach for women 45 and older who have decided later in life to change careers and start businesses.

Thanks for the ideas. Unfortunately I'm not a dog person Eat 😄 I think I'd ideally like something WFH hence wanting my own business...and possibly leveraging off some of my experience in FS. Need to find that niche.

Start a blog and YouTube channel?

Probably quite a crowded market as a great many people I know have decided now is the time to set up their own business WFH.

I do enjoy writing, researching, engaging with people and developing relationships. I'm comfortable with numbers and IT.

Get yourself on a dog grooming course and set up in that!

OP what do you enjoy writing about and researching?

My background is financial services, treasury and risk

Get yourself on a dog grooming course and set up in that!

Oops, sorry, not the most appropriate suggestion from me.
What can I say, I love dogs
Good luck OP, whatever you decide to do.

Tarot cards.
Buy some interesting earrings, a headscarf and a few dreamcatchers and crystals to dot around.

OK thanks everyone

I think to be successful in your own business it has to be something you have a real passion for and a clear plan on how you're going to grow and maintain interest. Just thinking 'oh, I should set up my own business' isn't going to cut it unfortunately or we'd all be doing it.
If you need to ask what you should do then it's highly unlikely to be a success.

Watching with interest as I am in much the same position (I do have a job but would like to work for myself) - similar background and interests to you.

I have just signed up to People Per Hour as I would like to pursue writing but I don’t know how I will get my first writing job on there without having previous experience.

I think looking for "re-entry" roles (sometimes called "the on ramp") is a great idea. Treasury, and in particular risk, typically have pretty solid demand. However, if you've been out of the workforce for a while you may just be getting screened out through general applications.

I’d continue job seeking, as there’re much higher odds of that earning you a good income (vs setting up a business).

Sending CVs unlikely to work, would look at job seeking tactics like networking etc.

@Meowchickameowmeow

I think to be successful in your own business it has to be something you have a real passion for and a clear plan on how you're going to grow and maintain interest. Just thinking 'oh, I should set up my own business' isn't going to cut it unfortunately or we'd all be doing it. If you need to ask what you should do then it's highly unlikely to be a success.

Sorry, but... This. Everybody loves a successful "and then I quit and became my own boss!" story, but "I'd quite like to have a nice well-paid business of my own from home but I don't know what" isn't a great starting point. Who wouldn't? What matters is what you can give other people that they want to pay for.

Did you work with freelancers in your old job? Why would someone hire you as a freelancer, over - sorry, but it has to be said - someone whose experience is up to date? You need to identify a spot in the market that isn't filled that you can profitably address, and unless people like your old employer are in the habit of employing self-employed people and your skills are in enough demand for people to be willing to accept rustiness, that's an unlikely prospect. At least there is an established, defined market for dog grooming.

I think you probably need to start from the perspective of having spotted a need and then upskill yourself to meet it, or else consider returners programmes or apprenticeships and go to work for someone else. Anything that fairly low skilled people can do self-employed from home is going to be swamped and thus probably pay significantly less than min wage, when averaged out.

If I were you I'd look at apprenticeships in tech.

I'm always hearing and making requests for financial advisers who are truly independent and can think outside the box, eg for vulnerable adults like my mum who always used to do all her own finances without the slightest issue but is now quite forgetful and wants more help. I think that's a potential niche. You'd have to be knowledgeable about both finances and the effects of cognitive change, sympathetic and to set up very clear systems including paper based options - lots of silver surfers out there but my mum only copes with paper copies.

Mortgage adviser.

Given ypur job background and IT experience i would consider doing some kind of bootcamp/training course in IT, either programming, data or cyber security. The salarys are reasonable to excellent, plenty of work from home opportunities and when you have some experience you could consult/freelance.

Have you thought about volunteering? You sound well-placed to be a governor at a school or college, or a trustee at a charity, or CAB, or a charity supporting people in debt. It would be good to have something 'current' on your CV so you are not solely relying on past achievements.

I also suggest looking at the National Careers Service website for job profiles. Maybe a chat with a careers advisor.

Consider training/gaining qualifications alongside volunteering.

Apply for an apprenticeship - a job with training.

Can you be one of those pa type people who run other busy people's lives. Sort out their banking, household stuff, paying staff, birthday presents...... Not sure what they are called.

Look at self publishing on amazon op, Kdp. I didn't even know it was a 'thing' until I read it on here and started looking into it.

If you're a good writer and researcher you can write self help books on anything without being an expert - and from there it's all about knowing how to market them effectively to sell. There are loads of you tube tutorials about it.

From what I've learnt in the last few weeks, many jump into KDP and expect it to be a get rich quick scheme so fail...but if you're willing to spend time on it it seems like something that could work.