I Thought I Was Too Old to Start a Business—Until I Built One in My 70s
If you had told me at 68 that I’d be running an online business at 74, I would’ve laughed and asked you to pass me the remote. After all, I had already lived a full life. Raised a family. Worked three decades in admin. Retired. Cooked a hundred Sunday roasts. My days were supposed to be for knitting, not selling.
But that’s where this story begins. With a pair of knitting needles. And a mind that just wouldn’t sit still.
One rainy afternoon, I was making a little baby blanket for a neighbor’s granddaughter. I posted a photo of it on Facebook, thinking nothing of it. Within an hour, I had three messages: “Do you take orders?” “Can you make one in blue?” “Do you sell on Etsy?”
And just like that, something woke up in me. Maybe I wasn’t done yet. Maybe retirement wasn’t the end of my story—it was the start of a new chapter I never saw coming.
From Hobby to Hustle
I’d been crocheting, sewing, and knitting for most of my life. Over the years, I made everything from doll clothes to wedding shawls. But I never thought of it as more than a hobby—just something to keep my hands busy and my heart calm.
After that Facebook post, I decided to test the waters. I listed a few pieces on Etsy—baby booties, soft blankets, kitchen sets. I didn’t expect much. But within a month, I had sold out. Then came the custom orders, the repeat customers, the little notes saying, “Your blanket made my baby’s first birthday special.”
I was working again. But this time, I was doing what I loved—and I was in charge.
Why I Decided to Make It Official
As the orders kept coming in, I realized I needed to get organized. My granddaughter, bless her, sat me down and said, “Granny, you need to form a business. You can’t just run this out of a notebook anymore.” She was right.
I wanted to do this the right way—to protect myself legally, to have a business bank account, and maybe even hire some help down the line. But I was overwhelmed by the idea of filing paperwork and figuring out legal terms.
That’s when she introduced me to InCorp.com. And thank heavens for that.
Forming My LLC with InCorp.com
InCorp.com was a godsend. I’m not exactly tech-savvy, but their website was easy to use. It walked me through everything—step by step. I filled out a form, chose my business name (“Granny Made Goods”), and within a few days, I was officially a business owner.
Even better, they offered the best registered agent service I could find. As someone on a fixed income, every penny mattered. Their registered agent service made sure I wouldn’t miss legal notices or compliance documents—and they handled it all professionally and affordably.
Granny Made Goods: One Order at a Time
With my LLC formed, I started taking things more seriously. I created packaging, printed thank-you cards, and upgraded my yarn selection. I also hired a neighbor’s college-age daughter to help me with order fulfillment and listings.
What started as three blankets on Etsy became a full-fledged online store, with themed collections for every season. Baby showers, birthdays, holidays—you name it, I crocheted for it. I even started getting bulk orders for corporate gifts and boutique shops.
My Business Growth by the Numbers
Here’s how Granny Made Goods has grown since that first Facebook post:
| Metric | Month 1 | 6 Months | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orders Fulfilled | 5 | 150+ | 520+ |
| Monthly Revenue | $125 | $2,100 | $6,800+ |
| Products Offered | 3 blanket styles | 15 SKUs (blankets, scarves, kitchen goods) | 30+ rotating seasonal items |
| Team Size | Just me | 1 part-time helper | 3 helpers + 1 packaging partner |
The Role InCorp.com Played in All of This
Let me tell you—InCorp.com made it all possible. I didn’t have to figure out tax codes or corporate filings. They helped me form my LLC quickly, explained everything in plain English, and provided ongoing support for anything I didn’t understand.
Their cheapest registered agent service was perfect for someone like me who wanted to stay compliant without overcomplicating things. It gave me the confidence to grow without fear of missing a legal detail.
Advice from a 70-Year-Old Business Owner
If you’re reading this thinking you’re “too old” to start something new, let me say this loud and clear: You’re not.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Age is not an expiration date. It’s just a number. If your mind and heart are still working, so are your opportunities.
- Turn your hobby into something real. People will pay for handmade, heartfelt work. Especially if it’s good.
- Make it official. Forming an LLC with InCorp.com gave me protection, pride, and a professional edge.
- Ask for help. My granddaughter helped me with tech. My neighbor helped with packaging. Don’t do it alone.
- Enjoy the process. This isn’t just business—it’s joy, purpose, and something that gets me out of bed with a smile.
What’s Next for Granny Made Goods?
We’re launching a spring line of baby blankets, attending our first craft fair, and working on a video series where I teach basic crochet to beginners. I’ve even been invited to speak at a local community center about senior entrepreneurship.
But no matter how big this grows, I’ll never stop making things with my hands. That’s where it all started—and it’s still where I feel most like myself.
So if you think it’s too late, hear it from someone in her 70s: It’s not. It’s never too late to build something beautiful. Especially when it’s stitched together with love.