Crazy to Start a Company at 60+?! Not For Me.
My journey to co-founder of a venture-backed startup.
When I was young, I was a shy person and often lacked self-confidence. Consequently, although I didn’t speak up much, I always had my own way of being “heard.” It was through the way I dressed! Every special occasion — be it a holiday, birthday, or the first day of school — was an opportunity to wear something special and display my unique perspective!
I attribute this love of fashion to my mom. She loved fashion herself, and so, when I would get dressed, she would allow me to stand on her bed so I had a full length view of myself in her mirror. Each occasion and new outfit was special and fashionable.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I relished the thought of entering a room and “being seen” without uttering a word. And this is what I did!
As I have grown older and gained more confidence , I am no longer shy and afraid to speak up (in fact, people would probably never guess I ever had a problem speaking up!). My growing confidence was instrumental in my successful pursuit of a career in the male dominated world of engineering. As a women, I not only had to be seen, but heard loud and clear!
Despite the conservative dress in the tech world, my desire to be seen through fashion did not change. Even my co-workers (mostly male) called me the “fashionable techie”.
Today, every day is an opportunity to show my unique style and be seen (and heard!). As I’ve aged, I’ve experienced how feeling comfortable and confident on the outside actually translates to feeling confident and alive on the inside.
While for me, outfits have become an expression of myself, I also intimately understand that many woman my age do not feel seen or noticed despite feeling on the inside perhaps the best that they’ve ever felt. More recently, I have asked myself “Why is this?” Why is it that the only women the world seems to see and notice for all that they are — nuanced, alive, thriving, worthwhile consumers — are Millennials and Gen Z? Why are we, the 50+ woman, invisible?
From where I sit, it is so obvious. We are vibrant, alive, energetic, confident, empowered and have the largest disposable income of any demographic!
This juxtaposition bothered me to the point that I have decided to make a lasting change. In the past ten years of my career, I have been immersed in the startup world — joining them, founding them, consulting for them, and mentoring them!
Today, I am thrilled to be marrying my 40 years in business, my love of fashion, and my mission to empower and support women to feel on the outside how she feels on the inside.
Our company name is VIENVIE — or VNV for short. Vim and verve. What two better words to describe us?!
Here’s to expressing the life, love, enjoyment, confidence and authenticity we have in spades on the inside to the world on the outside… without saying a word!
