‘Late Boomers’ Release Creative, Entrepreneurial Talent

Like many senior adults, Peter Mark Roget (shown above) was forced to retire from his job due to his age. He was nearing 70, and London’s Royal Society said it was time for him to go to make way for younger scientists. It’s a situation many Baby Boomers have faced, being forced to retire before they were ready.

Rather than retire to Florida or Spain or the English countryside, Roget instead turned his attention to a project that had interested him most of his adult life, writing a book about words. At age 73, he published the first edition of the Roget’s Thesaurus and continued to oversee future updates until his death at age 90. Roget’s Thesaurus became the crowning achievement of his career and the one he’s best remembered for.

There’s something about reaching retirement age that unleashes a powerful rush of late-in-life creativity and entrepreneurship in many senior adults. Perhaps it’s the fact that, even if some employers no longer appreciate them, seniors know they have a lifetime of experience and wisdom to share and they aren’t yet ready to turn it off. Maybe it’s because seniors aren’t willing to accept being put out to pasture yet, so to speak. They are not ready for the rocking chair – or even the shuffleboard court. Maybe someday, but not now. They want to remain engaged in their professions or otherwise making a positive contribution to society. Maybe it’s because seniors realize that time is fleeting, and whatever else they hope to accomplish in life, the time to do so is now. Or perhaps, like Mr. Roget, this is the first time in their life they have had the spare time to pursue personal dreams now that they are no longer tied to an office desk working an 8-to-5 daily grind.

The Baby Boomer generation is now entering this creative phase of life. Many late bloomers, or in this case let’s call them “Late Boomers,” are going to be making significant contributions to business and society in the years ahead, a trend we’re already beginning to see. According to a survey conducted by the Small Business Trends Alliance, Baby Boomers now account for 41 percent of all small-business and franchise owners. Many said their motivation for starting these businesses was to be their own boss or dissatisfaction with corporate life. According to AARP, the percentage of new-business formations by those in the 55-64 age group nearly doubled over the past generation, from 14 percent in 1996 to 25.8 percent in 2018.

Of course, late-in-life creativity isn’t restricted to starting a business or doing freelance work. Some turn to writing, painting, or other creative endeavors. Here are some well-known examples of late bloomers who achieved their best creative work late in life:

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  ‘Grandma Moses’ didn’t start painting until age 76.

  Laura Ingalls Wilder, a school teacher for much of her adult life, didn’t write her first book until she was 64. “Little House in the Big Woods” became the inspiration for the popular TV series “Little House on the Prairie.” She continued publishing books until age 76.

• Anna Mary Robertson Moses didn’t start painting until age 76. With no formal art training, “Grandma Moses” as she is known today, produced more than 1,000 paintings over the next 25 years, before dying at age 101.
• Clara Peller worked for 35 years as a manicurist until she was discovered by an advertising agency. At age 82, she first starred in the now-famous TV ad series for Wendy’s, shouting “Where’s the beef?” She became an instant hit and boosted sales for the fast-food chain. She even got to appear in a segment of the TV comedy show, Saturday Night Live.

Late-in-life creativity and entrepreneurism are something I suspect many of us Baby Boomers are experiencing, or at least contemplating. It’s an interesting phenomenon. I guess I’m part of that trend too. While it’s so far just a hobby blog and not a money maker, I launched This Retirement Life when I was in my mid-60s. The blog, along with other writing I do for work and pleasure, is part of my late-in-life contribution. I’m working on my first book, which I hope to publish this fall. I would never have found the time for such as an all-consuming pursuit during my full-time working career or while the kids were at home. I could not imagine not having work or creative projects to fill my time. Besides faith and family, my creative work is what gives me purpose and identity in this stage of life.

Are you a “Late Boomer?” We’d love to hear from you. Your story may inspire others to put their doubts aside and pursue their dreams. Please share your comments below.

(Note: Feature photo of Peter Mark Roget is from famousbio.net.)

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