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

I would suggest getting a specific qualification related to your previous work. You could train as an accountant for example?

The market is really saturated for writers and virtual assistants and the pay is not great - you'd be better off having a specific service like accountancy to offer at a set price so you don't end up managing someone's Instagram account for £10 per hour as a VA.

Tarot cards.

I've considered this. It seems to easy money and I was always pretty good at it. Unfortunately I don't believe in any of it for a second so it would be unethical.

OP have you seen the Career Shifters website?

@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.

I totally agree with this. Setting up and running your own business is hard, really hard, and unless you are passionate about what you are doing you are unlikely to sustain the energy levels needed to make it a success. If you don't already know what you are great at, love to do and how you can make a real difference in people's lives, I'd suggest thinking again.

People suggesting OP should be a writer - there is really not much money in writing professionally!

OP id try to go back to financial services if I were you. See if you can find a recruiter who you can explain your situation to and who could advise on best path to take

@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.

I have to agree with the above. Getting a successful business off the ground is incredibly hard work and if you don't have the passion for it or a plan to follow then I'm afraid it's not going to work.

With your background in financial services, could you take the ACCA or bookkeeping courses on an intense programme and then you could work as an independent / freelance bookkeeper from home?

Do you want to do finance? Or something else entirely?

What kind of finance did you do? On my last job I worked with a SE part qualified accountant who charged £75 per hour.

Can't see that tarot cards is any more unethical than, say, working for a cosmetics company that sells miracle face creams.
Fools and their money have to be parted one way or another.
If you've got the chat and the crystal ball, go for it!

Thanks for all the ideas! I'm going to look into a few. When I mention setting up a business, I mean just working for myself. I've no desire to hire anyone else. So I suppose I would be a consultant or contractor...just need to find a niche now

I'd suggest engaging the services of a Life Coach or Careers Advisor

Im going to suggest something a bit different. Join groups for freelancers on FB, Insta and Linked In. Get some recent work experience freelancing. Start connecting with friends, former colleagues and people who you know and trust, and ask them for an opportunity to help them out using your skills with admin and finances. I wouldn’t worry about developing the perfect idea just yet, or spending tonnes. You already have some skills and can add more, but the main thing is to try working for yourself. It took me a couple of years of trying different things before I found something that worked really well for me. I set myself a target of making a few hundred a month and then reviewed up to equal my former wage. Just want to offer a different view to having to have it all worked out before you start.

Blogging? Virtual assistant?