Makeup Millions to Morning Coffee: How One Woman Lost Everything at 45 and Found Herself Again

This is your Women Over 40 podcast. I’m 45 and I’m starting over. And this is really humbling to admit, because for years I owned a very successful makeup brand, Makeup Geek Cosmetics. I grew that from the ground up, no partners, no loans, just me hustling my way to a multi-million dollar company. When COVID hit, it obliterated everything. I lost it all. And during that time, I also had my daughter. It was a lot to process, but I knew I couldn’t stay stuck. What helped me most was something simple: every morning, I sit with my coffee and write down all the things I’m grateful for. It sounds like some woo woo advice, but it grounded me. I stopped waiting for the perfect moment to feel good about myself. I started dressing in quality pieces, not because I was trying to impress anyone, but because I wanted to feel good now. Reinventing yourself after 40 isn’t about chasing some grand, dramatic change. It’s about listening to that quiet voice inside that says, “What if I tried something new?” For me, it was about rediscovering my creativity. I started experimenting with makeup again, not for business, but for fun. I tested hundreds of drugstore products, sharing my findings online, and found a new passion in helping other women feel confident in their skin. I’m not alone. Women like Vera Wang didn’t design her first bridal gown until she was 40. Julia Child became The French Chef at 50. J.K. Rowling went from welfare to worldwide fame in her 30s and 40s. These women didn’t let age define their limits. They listened to their curiosity and followed it, no matter where it led. For many of us, our 40s bring a sense of restlessness. The chaos of our 20s and 30s settles, and we start asking different questions. What do I want to contribute? What brings me joy? For some, it’s starting a new business, like Shinde, who rebuilt her family’s nursery, Ashokvatika Nursery, after years of working as a costume design assistant. She found her passion in horticulture, growing decorative houseplants and educating herself about sensory gardens and even using AI to improve plant care. Others, like Rochelle Potkar, an award-winning author and screenwriter, found a deeper commitment to their craft in their 40s. She calls herself a journeywoman, embracing the long, winding road of life with perspective and playfulness. She’s pitching movie and TV scripts with gusto, no longer afraid of judgment or failure. Reinvention isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about building on it, using our experiences to create something new. It’s about giving ourselves permission to explore, to fail, to try again. It’s about finding our tribe, whether that’s an online community, a local meetup, or a supportive friend. Thank you for tuning in. If you’re ready to explore new passions and reinvent yourself after 40, remember, it’s never too late. Subscribe for more stories and inspiration. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. For more http://www This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.