It’s never too late to start a venture you’ll love

MY ADVICE to people who are starting out as an entrepreneur is to find what you love, get out there, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

My biggest tip is to start small, but think big. It’s important not to lose sight of the wider picture, even when going about the day-to-day of running a business.

It is never too late to start a business, and retirement is a great time to give it a shot. If you’ve retired after decades of experience in the workplace, and are considering starting a company, good news — you have a head start. 1DO

WHAT you love. You already have enough experience to know what you like doing, so you’re in the perfect position to try to channel that passion into a business idea. You now have the time to pour your focus into your start-up, and if you are having fun and enjoying yourself, it won’t feel as much like you’ve gone back to work. 2GET

out there. Building a network can be tricky for new entrepreneurs, so you really do have to get out of your comfort zone and make those connections. Meet lots of people and be on a mission to learn as much as you can — this research will help you to come up with ideas, understand your market and manage risk. 3DON’T

be afraid to ask for help. The more years you have under your belt, the more you realise that things come and go and everyone has ups and downs — and that we all need a little help sometimes.

Of course, any worthwhile challenge is not going to be easy, but it’s satisfying turning an idea into a reality. I might be 68-years-young, but I have no intention of slowing down. The opportunity to take on new challenges is what gives me energy and the drive to get up in the morning.

Why don’t you give it a go?