I started a business at 50, in the midst of a pandemic. Yes, yes, you read me correctly! My spouse and I left our financial stability, our respective jobs and all the security that went with it to found our virtual yoga business. The concept was rather daring, due to the use of technology for the targeted clientele, but the results were quickly impressive!
We were born in the midst of a pandemic and are experiencing exceptional growth. At 50, we chose to live a dream that we had wanted to achieve for a long time: to dive into the business world. We had a professional background in tourism marketing and information technology respectively, but wanted to take up this great challenge that corresponded to our choice of life. While some are discussing “early retirement” around us, I can tell you that we have never worked so much… with pleasure! But what is the link with our age? Honestly, none!
Recently, a report presented the portrait of this Sherbrooke resident who, at age 84, returned to the job market to join the team of a clothing store. She is adored by the clientele, has a healthy lifestyle discipline, is always on time, has plenty of stories to tell and is emancipating herself in her new job.
Testimonials from our customers who, despite their age, remain active, healthy and perfectly “connected”, we receive them every day! Our clientele ranges from 45 to 88 years old. Indeed, our 88-year-old oldest is in great shape, never misses a yoga class and inspires us enormously! Besides, here’s another myth to deconstruct: our customers are quite skilled with technology! We must stop drawing dubious parallels between age and an individual’s ability to create, reinvent themselves… and continue to dream!
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ISABELLE CYR
Isabelle Cyr and her spouse
We don’t know the stories of all our clients, of course, but a strong bond seems to unite them: they reach a point where they no longer have anything to prove to anyone and simply want to continue developing their full potential. potential. Like us, these women and men seek to reinvent themselves, to move more and, better, to learn new things and stimulate their creativity as much as possible. Starting our business made us realize what great stories they have to tell and how much we all deserve to benefit from even a tiny spark of their knowledge. As entrepreneurs, we also learn that being active in what you love contributes to maintaining this full physical and mental autonomy. Before, I worked 70 hours a week. Today, I work as much, but I do it for myself and with the greatest recognition of what is happening to me!
Our company is here for good because it’s great to realize how much good we can do for our apprentice yogists aged 50 and over. We understand that the entrepreneur also has a social mission. Ours is to counter this ridiculous idea that we give way with age and to support these people who are only looking to light up to new things. Our clientele fascinates me, it also teaches me how precious our seniors are. Growing old, as entrepreneurs, but just getting old, it’s wonderful!