After three successful but very demanding decades in corporate America, Melinda yearned for the flexibility and independence of owning her own firm. She now provides consulting services to tech startups, invests in new ventures, and is developing the first truly portable bike helmet—while enjoying more time with her family.
When Sheila counseled Saudi women during her one-year stint in the Kingdom, she knew she had to share what she’d learned. Talking to Martin Scorsese about her experience was the catalyst to writing what would become her first novel, East of Mecca.
In your work with women in midlife and beyond, what challenges do you see that are unique to these women?
Many! But the most detrimental challenge I see is a woman who does not believe in herself or embrace her unique gifts, strengths, and talents to share with the world. Once a woman truly believes in herself, creates a plan, receives support, and puts herself out there, magic happens!
One too many lost mittens was the “aha” moment for Kari and her husband to start their own clothing line, Liam & Isla, featuring kids’ mittens that snap-onto jackets—no more searching for lost mittens!
You are holding the second annual BAM—Bloggers At Midlife—conference for women next month. How did you come to organize BAM?
My business partners and I saw a need for a conference focused on women over forty and fifty. I attend a lot of blog conferences, and very often the brands and sessions are targeted to younger women. It’s nice to go to an event and know all the sponsors value where you are at in life.
After her 25-year career as a radio personality ended, Catherine had to figure out what was next for her. She leveraged her skillset into a successful coaching and speaking business, where she empowers others to craft powerful content and deliver it well.
Adopted by a white family as a black child, Catana struggled with issues of racial identity. With her late husband actor Fred Tully’s encouragement, she wrote a memoir about her experience, in the hopes it will help other multi-racial adoptive families.
Carol has endured so much trauma, from cancer to rape to financial ruin, it’s hard to believe she has not only survived, but has turned her story into one of inspiration as a motivational speaker and interviewer.
When both her parents were diagnosed with dementia, Vicki was thrust into a caregiving role and coped with the ups and downs of the disease by writing a journal. She would end up turning that into a memoir and speaking out to raise awareness of dementia.