Wait! I Thought You Retired!
I DID Retire, But…
I DID Retire, But…
I got my first paid job when I was a freshman in college, and I have been working consistently (part- or full-time) ever since. Even when I was a teacher and had summers off, I almost always worked another job for several of those off weeks.
Throughout all of those years, I actually had three separate careers: first as an educator, then as a sales professional, and finally, as an entrepreneur, where I combined the experiences and expertise of my first two careers.
For many people, including me, “retirement” has a new definition.
There is no way to write one definition describing today’s retirement. It’s traveling. It’s community volunteering. It’s starting a business. It’s a second job or working in the gig economy.
Retirement? What’s That?
It’s all these things that throw old ideas about retirement out the window. The notion of retirement has changed. It’s no longer defined by a date or an age. It’s more of a mindset. And it’s not about leaving one’s job. It’s about planning a future and the pursuit of passions.
When I officially retired last fall, I actually did stop everything business-wise, closed down everything in my businesses, and just pursued some of my hobbies. I actually finished some knitting projects and did some home repairs.
But less than three months later, a few people asked me to do some projects with and for them. Those went well, but then I went back to my knitting.
Then in January, not only did more people start asking me to work with them or for them on new projects but my husband and business partner suggested that we start a new podcast! (I had previously “retired” the podcast we had been doing weekly for four years and over 200 episodes, but all episodes are still available on all podcast spaces.)
The YB2C Live! Podcast for Entrepreneurs
The YB2C Live! Podcast for Entrepreneurs features the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and…yb2clive.libsyn.com
As I started researching recording and producing a new weekly podcast, I was reminded that there were many other ways hubby and I could and should contribute based on our previous experiences and expertise.
I started working on my ideas, and by May, we had a completely new company, the TeamOwens313 Global Creative Community. Because, yes, I am STILL retired, I worked on setting up the new community little by little. My team and I are continuing to add additional components to the site, but it is now live and we are excited!
The TeamOwens313 Global Creative Community
AND...we are LAUNCHED! Please enjoy this short video about the TeamOwens313 Global Creative Community! We would love to…teamowens313gcc.com
Retired, But Still Working!
So, what is it like being retired but still working? In a word: WONDERFUL!
Developing a new company and podcast based on all of our previous companies and podcast episodes has been exciting and invigorating.
I’m still learning new things just as I did the first four times I started a company from scratch.
I am working on the things from my previous businesses that I enjoy the most.
I can still take the time to relax, rejuvenate, read, write, and work on my hobbies.
Even though as a full-time solopreneur, I pretty much set my own schedule, as a “retired by still working” solopreneur I feel I have even more control over my own schedule, and I am actually working the equivalent of about three days a week.
Still Helping Others Help Themselves
I really enjoy helping writers to become published authors. The first step is to make sure your completed manuscript is ready for your editor.
How to Prepare Your Manuscript for Your Editor
Writing "The End" is NOT the end of your job as an author! Learn how to get your manuscript professionally edited and…www.teamowens313gcc.com
Solopreneurs and very small business owners often need assistance with their social media branding and marketing efforts. This course is helpful to create your digital assets.
YB2C Accelerator Course Designing Your Brand Visuals
Your brand is more than your logo. Your visual brand starts with a visual communication strategy that leads to a…www.teamowens313gcc.com
Working for Myself vs Working for Others
A primary reason I started my first business in 2008 was that I had previously experienced being unemployed, laid off, downsized, and underpaid when I was working for others. I decided that I never wanted to be in that vulnerable position ever again.
Like many people, I had my share of “bad bosses.” When I started working for myself, I realized that I was the best boss I had ever had!
I learned early on that even as a self-employed person, or even especially because I was a self-employed person, I had to save 20% of my gross income for retirement. Many people have money taken from their paychecks for retirement by the companies that they work for, but as a self-employed person, you have to do that yourself, because the company you work for is yours!
When I became self-employed, I also knew that I would never fire myself or lay myself off. That gave me a sense of control and confidence that I could not have as an employee of others.
Being self-employed is not easy by any means, but it is different, and that difference is what I enjoy and what I love.
The point of retirement is to have the ability to do what you want when you want, and that is what I am doing, and I am loving it!
I now have the best of both worlds: I am working in a less stressed manner, and I am loving being able to work less and do more of the other things I love to do.
So, when will I finally really retire? Who knows? Watch this space!
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