Dr Isabella Moore CBE, a trailblazer in business and champion for empowering entrepreneurship in later life.
Empowering Entrepreneurship For Individuals Over 50
Dr Isabella Moore CBE unveils Later Creator, a programme empowering over-50s with entrepreneurial training, emotional support, and resources while addressing ageism, confidence, and societal barriers to business success.
At the age of 77, Dr. Isabella Moore CBE continues to redefine expectations, proving that innovation and growth know no age limits. The Warwickshire grandmother and trailblazing entrepreneur is set to expand her legacy with the launch of her latest initiative, Later Creator, a bespoke e-learning module designed to empower people over 50 to unlock their entrepreneurial potential.
The programme, to be officially unveiled on September 11th, embodies Dr. Moore’s decades-long commitment to fostering enterprise while challenging societal perceptions of age and entrepreneurship. Later Creator serves as a beacon for aspiring older entrepreneurs, spotlighting emotional support, skill development, and community-building at its core.
An Event to Drive Change
The launch event will bring together a distinguished panel of experts in business, education, health, and politics to delve into pressing topics about later-life entrepreneurship. Key discussions will address:
- Motivations for starting a business later in life.
- Tackling ageist perceptions that hinder older entrepreneurs.
- Overcoming barriers such as limited access to finance, digital literacy, and self-confidence.
- Understanding the critical role of support organisations.
- Advocating for improved government policies and investor perspectives on older entrepreneurs.
Dr. Moore’s training initiative features three tiers of support, ranging from online and app-based learning to full in-person mentoring programmes. A unique emphasis on soft skills, like confidence-building and dealing with personal limitations, complements the practical business strategies covered by the course.
A Legacy of Trailblazing Achievements
Dr. Moore has built an extraordinary career, marked by her entrepreneurial vitality and contributions to commerce. The founding director of Comtec Translations in Leamington, she bought back the company at age 60 alongside her daughter, Sophie, showcasing her adaptability and determination.
Her accolades include being awarded a CBE for services to commerce in 2003, honorary doctorates from Sheffield Hallam and Aston Universities, and becoming the first female president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the British Chambers of Commerce. She’s also been a vehement advocate for women’s enterprise, having chaired the panel for the first Women’s Business Council.
Passion Fueled by Research
Dr. Moore’s PhD explored the gendered nuances of later-life entrepreneurship, unearthing motivations, challenges, and societal perceptions that older entrepreneurs experience. This foundation led her to create the Olderpreneur Alliance three years ago, a social enterprise supporting over-50s in navigating the entrepreneurial world.
Through her research, Dr. Moore identified critical gaps in existing business support systems. “Older individuals often feel patronised and uncomfortable working with younger advisors who may not acknowledge the unique challenges they face,” she shared. Confidence, or the lack thereof, remains a pivotal barrier. “You can draft the perfect business plan, but if your inner voice tells you, ‘You can’t do this,’ progress stalls.”
Later Creator addresses these concerns with a focus on empowering individuals to overcome self-doubt, harness their existing skills, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Bold Steps for an Inclusive Entrepreneurial Future
Dr. Moore’s mission is clear: to foster a societal shift in how older entrepreneurs are perceived and supported. By championing their ambitions, she aims to ensure that age becomes an asset rather than an obstacle in business ventures.
With the launch of Later Creator, Dr. Moore is blazing a trail not only for herself but for thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs in their golden years. The initiative promises to reshape perceptions of age and creativity, illuminating the transformative power of experience, resilience, and determination in entrepreneurial success.
