The Rise of 50+ Women Entrepreneurs in Canada: Reinvention, Resilience, and Impact
- jvstryan
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
In a society that often equates innovation with youth, a quiet but powerful shift is taking place across Canada — and it’s being led by women over 50. With decades of experience, deep-rooted resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose, this demographic is embracing entrepreneurship like never before. These women aren’t just starting businesses — they’re rewriting the rules of what success looks like in the second half of life.
Why More Women Over 50 Are Choosing Entrepreneurship
The decision to become an entrepreneur after 50 often stems from more than just financial motivation. For many, it's about independence, legacy, and fulfillment. Some are pivoting after corporate careers. Others are turning lifelong passions into purpose-driven businesses. And some are responding to life transitions — empty nesting, retirement, or a desire to create more flexible lifestyles.
In a 2022 report by the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada, entrepreneurship among older women is on the rise, with more than 30% of female small business owners now aged 50 or above — and the numbers continue to grow.
The Unique Strengths of 50+ Women Entrepreneurs
What makes this group so powerful?
Experience: Years of work, life, and leadership experience translate into strong decision-making and risk management skills.
Networks: Longstanding relationships across industries often help open doors more easily.
Clarity of Purpose: Many midlife entrepreneurs are clear about what they value — and build businesses that align with those values.
Resilience: Having weathered personal and professional challenges, they bring a grounded, steady mindset to the unpredictable world of business.
Real Stories of Canadian Women Redefining Entrepreneurship
Joanne, 58, Toronto After taking early retirement from the banking industry, Joanne launched a financial literacy consultancy for women. Her goal? Help the next generation become more confident with money. She now speaks at schools, leads workshops, and mentors young women.
Deborah, 63, Vancouver Deborah turned her passion for wellness into a home-based skincare brand using locally sourced ingredients. What began as a weekend hobby is now a growing e-commerce business with customers across the country.
Monique, 55, Montreal Monique started a French-language tutoring service for immigrant women, offering flexible lessons tailored to working mothers. Her platform is both a business and a mission-driven project that promotes inclusion.
Resources Supporting Women 50+ Entrepreneurs in Canada
Canada offers a supportive ecosystem for women-led businesses, especially those founded later in life:
Women’s Enterprise Centres in BC, Alberta, and beyond offer funding, mentorship, and training.
Futurpreneur Canada – Side Hustle Program helps older entrepreneurs test ideas without full commitment.
SheEO (now Coralus) is a global community of women supporting women-led ventures through lending and collective support.
Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier to access startup capital.
Final Thoughts: It’s Never Too Late to Start Something That Matters
Entrepreneurship in your 50s, 60s, or beyond isn’t about chasing success the way you did at 30. It’s about building something meaningful, on your own terms. For many women, it’s the most empowered, creative, and impactful phase of their professional lives.
So whether you’re starting small, scaling up, or simply exploring the possibilities, remember: the entrepreneurial spark doesn’t fade with age — it often gets stronger. In Canada, women over 50 aren’t just launching businesses — they’re launching a new definition of what’s possible.
