41 Ideas to get you thinking
If you’re in your early 50s or beyond and thinking about starting something new, you’re not alone. More people than ever are choosing to launch second-act ventures after a corporate career, a break from full-time work, or even early retirement.
The scale of what you decide to do will depend upon your ambitions and resources, but the following is a list of 41 relatively low-cost ideas to help get you thinking.
What you do need is:
A clear path that fits your experience and lifestyle
A smart idea that plays to your strengths
A bit of help to get moving without wasting time or money
1. Equipment Rental
Rent equipment which people might only need occasionally and which might also be too bulky to store. For example, car top-boxes, e-bikes, small marquees, inflatables for children’s parties.
Why it’s worth considering:
Ideal for practical types
Local service with repeat business
Diverse opportunities
2. Guided Walks or Local Tours
Turn local knowledge into an experience.
If you know your area well — its history, nature, or hidden gems — you can offer walking tours or themed experiences. Perfect for storytellers and those who enjoy time outdoors. Combine with apps to create hybrid or self-guided tours and experiences.
Why it’s worth considering:
Low cost to start
Fresh air and exercise
Engaging and social
3. Online Education / Course Creation
Teach what you know to a new audience.
Platforms like Teachable, Podia, Udemy or even YouTube make it easy to share knowledge through online courses, coaching programs, or video tutorials. If you enjoy explaining things or mentoring others, this could be your thing.
Why it’s worth considering:
Passive income potential
Can start small and grow
Ideal for knowledge-sharing professionals
4. Batch Food or Drink Brand
Create a unique product with local flair.
From hot sauces to craft beer, jams, or non-alcoholic drinks — launching a food or drink brand can be a fulfilling creative outlet. Start at markets or online and grow from there. You could also consider approaching local manufacturers with spare capacity to make your recipe or brand.
Why it’s worth considering:
Tangible product
High personal pride
Great local customer base with potential to expand
5. Coaching or Mentoring
Support others with life or career change.
Life coaching, career coaching, retirement transition support — all growing fields. If you’re a good listener and enjoy helping people work through challenges, this can be very rewarding.
Why it’s worth considering:
Deeply meaningful work
Can be online or local
Flexible and scalable
6. Herb or Small-Scale Produce Grower
Grow and sell to local markets or restaurants.
Great for gardeners with access to land (or even a large balcony). Herbs, chillies, salad greens, and edible flowers are especially popular.
Why it’s worth considering:
Seasonal and flexible
Low-tech and sustainable
Increasing demand for local produce
7. Genealogy Research Service
Help people trace their family history.
If you’re detail-oriented and enjoy research, this can be a fascinating business. Use genealogy websites and archives to create family trees and heritage reports for clients.
Why it’s worth considering:
Engaging, detective-style work
Often very rewarding emotionally
Niche with growing interest
8. White Label or Dropshipping Brand
Sell products online without holding inventory.
Use platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or Amazon to sell goods under your own brand, often sourcing them from wholesalers or print-on-demand providers.
Why it’s worth considering:
Home-based
No need to invent a product
Can build something valuable long-term
9. Service-Based Local Business
Use practical skills or interests to serve your community.
Think pet care, gardening, tech help for older adults, or meal prep. If you prefer real-world interaction, these low-cost, high-demand services can fit perfectly around your schedule.
Why it’s worth considering:
Easy to start small
Can be social and hands-on
Often scalable
10. Event Planning or Micro-Wedding Coordinator
Specialise in small-scale events like milestone birthdays or intimate weddings.
Why it’s worth considering:
Very rewarding and people-focused
Good if you’re detail-oriented
Growing market for small, elegant events
11. Franchise Opportunity
A ready-made business with brand and support — but not for everyone.
Franchises can include cleaning, coaching, food, senior care, or van-based businesses. They often include training, brand recognition, and operational support. But they come with a price.
Why it’s worth considering:
Built-in support and marketing
Proven model
But also keep in mind:
Expensive upfront (can range from £20k–£100k+)
Ongoing fees and rules
Less flexibility — a concern for many 50+ entrepreneurs
Always do proper research
12. Floristry Business
Create arrangements for events, gifts, or subscriptions.
Whether from a home studio or market stall, floristry can be creative, hands-on, and locally rooted. Training is available online and in person.
Why it’s worth considering:
Visually rewarding and creative
Low initial costs
Popular for weddings, funerals and gifting
13. Mobile Food or Catering Business
Turn your love of cooking into an income stream.
From baked goods to home-delivered meals or pop-up events, food ventures can be creative and scalable, especially if you offer something slightly unusual, like paella, which can also be used by pubs when they don’t have a chef available. You'll need basic certifications, but startup costs can be relatively low.
Why it’s worth considering:
Social and rewarding
Flexible scope
Endless niches to explore
14. Antique or Specialist Dealer
Sell vintage or niche items you’re passionate about.
Start with what you know — whether it’s books, vinyl, watches, or furniture. Sell via marketplaces, fairs, or your own site.
Why it’s worth considering:
Start from your interests or collection
Flexible scale
Thriving resale market
15. Freelance or Consulting Business
Use your career experience to advise or support others.
Whether your background is in HR, marketing, operations, bookkeeping, compliance or sales, someone out there needs that knowledge — and will pay for it. You can package your expertise into part-time freelance work or structured consulting services.
Why it’s worth considering:
Leverages what you already know
Can be entirely home-based
Flexible hours and scope
16. Fitness Instructor or Wellness Coach
Offer in-person or online classes tailored to 40+ clients.
Whether it’s yoga, walking groups, or over-50s fitness, many clients prefer trainers who understand their life stage.
Why it’s worth considering:
Rewarding and energising
Scalable from 1:1 to group sessions
Online and offline potential
17. Jewellery Maker or Repair Service
Handcraft or restore personal items with value.
Start with courses or kits and grow into custom commissions, repairs, or small-batch collections.
Why it’s worth considering:
Creative, detailed work
High perceived value
Great for local markets or Etsy
18. Digital Product Creator
Sell templates, planners, or guides online.
Design digital tools others can download and use — like budgeting sheets, CV templates, or wellness planners.
Why it’s worth considering:
Passive income potential
No inventory or shipping
Great for creative problem-solvers
19. Elder Tech Support or IT Tutor
Help others learn to use digital devices or tools.
Run sessions on Zoom, phone, or in person. Focus on basic phone, tablet, or internet use.
Why it’s worth considering:
Simple, practical help
Strong demand among older users
Can lead to repeat business
20. Virtual Assistant or Remote Admin
Support entrepreneurs or small teams with admin.
Manage calendars, emails, bookings, and documents — all from home.
Why it’s worth considering:
Low barrier to entry
Suits organised professionals
Steady part-time work
21. Home Organising or Downsizing Help
Help clients simplify, sort, or move.
Support seniors, busy families, or those downsizing with decluttering, packing, or home setups.
Why it’s worth considering:
Very satisfying results
Word-of-mouth business
Ideal for empathetic, practical people
22. Freelance Writing or Editing
Use your language skills for content or copy.
Write for blogs, businesses, publications, or offer proofreading and editing services.
Why it’s worth considering:
Location-independent
High demand across sectors
Easy to build a portfolio online
23. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Business
Offer regular or vacation care for pets in your neighbourhood.
Why it’s worth considering:
Flexible hours
Low startup costs
Demand is growing as people travel more
24. Property Management for Short-Term Rentals
Help owners manage their Airbnb listings: bookings, cleaning, and guest communication.
Why it’s worth considering:
Low overhead if done locally
Good for organised communicators
Potential recurring income
25. Sustainable Living Consultant
Advise households or small businesses on eco-friendly practices.
Why it’s worth considering:
Emerging industry
Ideal for values-driven professionals
Highly customisable
26. Retreats or Group Experiences
Organise themed retreats — writing, wellness, art — in inspiring settings.
Why it’s worth considering:
Immersive and transformational
Can be high-value
Many niches to explore
27. Online Marketplace Seller (eBay, Etsy, Vinted)
Resell clothes, electronics, or vintage items through established platforms.
Why it’s worth considering:
Flexible hours
Can start from home clutter!
Good learning path into e-commerce
28. Specialist Tour Organiser
Organise specialist tours based upon culture, religion or shared interests. Create blogs and content for websites too.
Why it’s worth considering:
Opportunity to travel
Rewarding and people focussed
Growing market for specialist tours
29. Digital Marketing Freelancer
Offer services like email marketing, social media, or basic website building.
Why it’s worth considering:
High demand across industries
Often project-based
Great fit for past marketers
30. Online Community Host or Moderator
Create or manage groups for professionals, hobbyists, or local networks.
Why it’s worth considering:
Can grow into paid memberships
Meaningful peer connection
Ideal for people-focused organisers
31. Photography Business
Shoot portraits, events, or nature — or sell stock photos online.
Why it’s worth considering:
Creative and flexible
Low-cost equipment options now available
Ideal if you already enjoy photography
32. Bespoke Gifting or Hamper Business
Create and deliver thoughtful, themed gift boxes for clients, birthdays, or holidays.
Why it’s worth considering:
Ideal for detail lovers
Can start from home
Strong repeat customer potential
33. Podcast or YouTube Channel
Share expertise, interviews, or entertainment via audio or video.
Why it’s worth considering:
Creative expression
Can lead to sponsorships or product sales
Home-based and scalable
34. Online Marketplace for a Niche Hobby
Build a micro-platform for crafters, collectors, or enthusiasts to buy/sell items.
Why it’s worth considering:
Ideal for hobbyists
Community-focused
Can become a hub with recurring revenue
35. Personal Chef or Dinner Party Host
Offer in-home dining experiences or meal prep for busy families.
Why it’s worth considering:
Personal and satisfying
Low overhead
Perfect for confident cooks
36. Language Tutor or Conversation Partner
Teach English or another language online or in person.
Why it’s worth considering:
Flexible scheduling
Global demand
No formal teaching degree required in many cases
37. Professional Declutterer (KonMari, Swedish Death Cleaning)
Help people simplify with purpose — especially seniors or those moving.
Why it’s worth considering:
Therapeutic and useful
Word-of-mouth potential
Often leads to follow-on work
38. Sewing, Repairs, or Upcycling Business
Fix or customise clothes, cushions, curtains — or turn old into new.
Why it’s worth considering:
Sustainable and unique
Low material cost
High creative satisfaction
39. Senior Companion or Support Service
Non-medical support for older adults — errands, conversation, organising.
Why it’s worth considering:
Very rewarding personally
Often paid privately
Helps families and clients
40. Online Print Designs (Cards, Posters, T-Shirts)
Sell your own designs using print-on-demand platforms.
Why it’s worth considering:
No inventory
Passive potential
Great for graphic or typography lovers
41. Speech writer or Ghost Writer for Biographies
If you enjoy writing, you could try commercialising it by writing speeches or ghost writing biographies for self-publishing. Consider creating video biographies too.
Why it’s worth considering:
Low overhead
JHome-based
High creative satisfaction