Why women peak in business at 60 is no longer a question—it’s a growing reality that’s reshaping leadership, entrepreneurship, and what it means to thrive in midlife.
In recent years, a quiet revolution has been unfolding in boardrooms, startups, and consulting firms across the United States. Women in their 60s are not winding down, they’re rising up. Far from retiring or stepping back, many are hitting their professional stride, launching businesses, leading organizations, and mentoring the next generation. This trend challenges long-held assumptions about aging and gender in the workplace and offers a powerful blueprint for younger women navigating their own career paths.
The Data Behind the Rise
The numbers tell a compelling story. According to the Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship, the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity in the US is among people aged 55 to 64. Women in this age group are increasingly represented among new business owners, with many leveraging decades of experience to build ventures that are both profitable and purpose-driven.
In corporate leadership, women over 60 are also gaining ground. These women often bring a unique blend of strategic insight, emotional intelligence, and resilience that makes them invaluable in navigating complex business environments.
So, what’s driving success? Confidence, financial stability, and strong professional networks all play a role in it. Many women in their 60s have spent years cultivating relationships, honing their skills, and building relationships that now serve as springboards for leadership and entrepreneurship.
Why Women Peak in Business at 60—and Why It Matters
For many women, their 60s represent a convergence of opportunity and readiness. After decades of balancing work with caregiving responsibilities, whether for children, aging parents, or both, this stage of life often brings a newfound freedom. With fewer domestic obligations, women can focus more fully on their professional ambitions.
Accumulated experience is another key factor. Women in their 60s have often weathered multiple career cycles, economic downturns, and industry shifts. This depth of knowledge allows them to make informed decisions, mentor others, and lead with clarity and conviction. They’re also more likely to take calculated risks, whether by launching a startup, pivoting to consulting, or stepping into a high-stakes leadership role.
Importantly, this phase of life can also be a time of reinvention, especially for women embracing new purpose and direction in their 60s. Many women use their 60s to pursue long-held passions, transition into more meaningful work, or even return to school to deepen their expertise or pivot into helping professions. Online education, such as online PMHNP programs, business management courses, or any course that allows women to upskill while maintaining their workload, is increasingly popular among midlife women. It’s not just about climbing the ladder; it’s about defining success on their own terms.
Navigating Persistent Challenges
Despite these gains, women in their 60s still face significant hurdles. Ageism remains a problematic issue, with older professionals often stereotyped as out of touch or resistant to change. Gender bias compounds the problem, particularly in male-dominated fields where leadership is still equated with youth and masculinity.
Health considerations can also impact career trajectories, especially in high-pressure roles. Despite this, women are proactive in managing their well-being, integrating wellness practices into their routines, and advocating for more flexible, inclusive work environments.
To overcome these challenges, women often rely on peer networks, mentorship, and strategic positioning. They highlight their value through thought leadership, build visibility through speaking engagements and publications, and align themselves with organizations that prioritize diversity and inclusion. Their success is not just personal, it’s systemic, pushing companies to rethink how they support talent across the lifespan.
Lessons for Younger Women
The rise of women in their 60s offers a powerful message to younger professionals: your career doesn’t have an expiration date. These role models demonstrate that ambition, creativity, and leadership can flourish at any age, and that setbacks or detours don’t define the final outcome.
Younger women can learn from their resilience, adaptability, and long-term vision. They can also benefit from intergenerational mentorship, gaining insights into negotiation, strategic thinking, and work-life integration. By seeing older women thrive, they’re more likely to envision expansive, sustainable career paths for themselves.
Inspirational Examples
Across industries, women in their 60s are making headlines for their achievements. Take Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and CEO of the ActOne Group, who continues to lead one of the largest minority-owned staffing firms in the U.S., and does so well into her 60s. Or fashion icon Vera Wang, who launched her brand at 40 and remains a creative force decades later.
Consultants like Carla Harris, a longtime executive and senior advisor at Morgan Stanley, are widely recognized for their leadership in corporate America and their advocacy for inclusive business practices. Entrepreneurs such as Robin Chase, co-founder of Zipcar, continue to be influential voices in the mobility space and are known for promoting sustainable innovation and bold, future-focused thinking. These women represent what’s possible when experience, purpose, and vision converge — and they offer powerful examples of what leadership can look like well beyond midlife.
These women are not anomalies; they’re part of a growing cohort redefining what it means to lead, create, and succeed later in life.
A Changing Social Landscape
Cultural attitudes toward aging and leadership are beginning to shift. Media portrayals of older women are becoming more nuanced, and workplace policies are slowly evolving to support career longevity. Organizations are recognizing the value of experience, and some are actively recruiting older professionals for their wisdom and stability.
This shift has profound implications for the future. As more women in their 60s succeed, they pave the way for inclusive, age-diverse workplaces. They challenge stereotypes, expand possibilities, and inspire systemic change.
For the next generation, this means entering a workforce that increasingly values contribution over chronology. It means seeing leadership as a lifelong journey, not a race against time. And it means knowing that the best may be yet to come.
Women in their 60s are not just speaking, they’re leading a movement. And the ripple effects are only beginning to be felt.
Resources:
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Kauffman Foundation. Who Is the Entrepreneur? New Entrepreneurs in the United States, 1996–2021.
Highlights the rise in entrepreneurship among adults aged 55–64.
https://www.kauffman.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kauffman_Trends-in-Entrepreneurship-Who-Is-The-Entrepreneur-2021.pdf -
Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship. Rate of New Entrepreneurs by Age Group.
Interactive data showing the highest rates of new entrepreneurs are in the 55–64 age range.
https://indicators.kauffman.org/indicator/rate-of-new-entrepreneurs -
AARP. Women Entrepreneurs: Starting a Business During COVID-19.
Discusses the growth of women 40+ launching businesses during recent years.
https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/work-finances-retirement/employers-workforce/women-small-business-entrepreneurs/ -
AARP. Older Adults Becoming Entrepreneurs.
Documents the increase in entrepreneurship among Americans 50 and older.
https://www.aarp.org/work/small-business/older-adults-becoming-entrepreneurs/ -
National Institutes of Health (PMC). Older Women Entrepreneurs: Motivations Beyond Necessity.
Peer-reviewed article exploring why midlife women launch businesses, often driven by purpose.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10737094/ -
Forbes. 50-Plus Women Are the New Entrepreneurial Superpower.
Business analysis of the rising influence of women over 50 in the entrepreneurial space.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/biancabarratt/2021/07/28/50-plus-women-are-the-new-entrepreneurial-superpower-heres-why/ -
Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. Senior Entrepreneurship: Catching a Second Wave.
Global research on late-life entrepreneurship trends, including gendered perspectives.
https://www.ageing.ox.ac.uk/blog/Senior-Entrepreneurship-Catching-a-Second-Wave
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