This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karen Hastie, the 60-year-old founder of the Chamber Perks App in Ontario, Canada. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Retirement was never really in my vocabulary — not in the way people expect.
I turned 60 this year. I never thought I’d be launching a tech company at this stage in my life, but here I am, building a startup I love, working 60 to 70 hours a week, and feeling more fulfilled than ever.
I’ve always been an entrepreneur
After graduating, I started my first business in the fitness industry, a fitness store that expanded throughout Northern Ontario. I ran that company for over 30 years. When the pandemic hit, I sold it in a seven-figure deal and made enough to retire comfortably.
Everyone assumed I’d do that. My daughter had just given birth to my granddaughter, and I’d wrapped up a decadeslong business. However, it just didn’t feel right. I knew I still had more to give.
I asked myself, “What do I really want to do with this next chapter?” I’ve always been passionate about helping small businesses, so I began consulting and mentoring entrepreneurs in my community.
I started working with one of the local Chambers of Commerce. That eventually led to the idea for my new venture, the Chamber Perks App, which helps the Chambers of Commerce deliver more value to their members. It felt like the perfect next step: solving a real problem, supporting small businesses, and doing it on my terms.
I had no background in tech, but I didn’t let that intimidate me
I know what I bring to the table: decades of experience running and growing a successful business. I also know you don’t have to do it all yourself; you just need the right people around you.
I built a strong and capable team from scratch. My CTO, who has experience working in Silicon Valley with tech startups and unicorn companies, is based in Calgary, and my daughter’s company handles all our marketing. She’s been in social media marketing for years, so it’s a natural fit for us to work together.
Working in tech at my age was an adjustment
Tech is dominated by younger people, so I hired accordingly for my account manager and developers. Some challenges I’ve faced while working with younger employees include adjusting my work habits to accommodate their needs, learning to respect their work-life balance, and avoiding micromanagement.
When I pitch our app, I’m doing what I’ve always loved: talking to people, solving problems, and creating value. My clients are Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade around the world, starting with 400 in Canada and 7,500 in the US. I start my day at 8 a.m. by meeting with clients, speaking at conferences, and working with my team.
I enjoy what I do, so it doesn’t seem like work. My daughter’s generation prioritizes work-life balance differently than mine. I’ll easily work a 60 to 70-hour workweek and not consider that long, but when you love what you do, it’s enriching.
I’m often asked by my peers, “Why not just enjoy retirement?”
I love to golf and travel, but that isn’t fulfilling for me. I need purpose. For me, retirement means having the freedom to do work you love without the pressure of providing for your family.
That’s the most significant gift of building my first business: I don’t have to stress about money anymore. I’m doing this because it matters to me. The company was bootstrapped and has no debt. All the money we’ve made for the past 2 ½ years has been reinvested into the company.
We’re now launching the second suite of services, a CRM for chambers called Chamber Member Pro. These two services are expected to grow over the next year, and I’ll then provide myself with a salary. The long-term goal is to grow, scale, and sell.
I do have an exit strategy
Whenever I mentor small-business owners, the first question I ask is, “What’s your exit strategy?” Most don’t have one. With Chamber Perks, I’m already thinking ahead.
This isn’t another 30-year run for me — God willing, I’ll still be around at 90, but the plan is to position the company for an acquisition or a more hands-off role for me within the next few years.
My advice to anyone thinking about launching a business later in life is to find something you love, surround yourself with people who complement your skills, and don’t be afraid to take the leap.
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