Mary Bryant Shrader on Building a Thriving Solopreneur Business | The Encore Network

I recently took part in a webinar hosted by The Encore Network, an organization dedicated to helping people over 50 launch businesses. The Solopreneur event featured panelists from diverse backgrounds—some who launched new ventures after retiring from long careers and others who left successful careers early to build their own companies.

The Encore Network

The Encore Network reached out to me after Mary Cronin, one of their program coordinators and a business professor at Boston College—my alma mater—saw an article about me in Boston College Magazine. I was delighted to join because I enjoy supporting people over 50 who want to start businesses and share practical guidance from my own experience.

Sharing My Experience on the Solopreneur Panel

On the panel I answered questions about why I started a YouTube channel, the challenges I faced, where I sought help, and the greatest rewards of running my own business. My driving motivation has always been a passion for preserving traditional cooking skills—teaching others to make bone broth, cultured dairy, ferments, sourdough, and more. That made the “why” easy to explain.

There are many challenges to building a business, and I could have spoken about them for hours. Still, the rewards are clear. Starting a business later in life can restore a strong sense of purpose and relevance. As we age, it’s common to feel overlooked, but launching a business—or embracing other meaningful roles such as caregiving or volunteering—provides new ways to contribute and thrive.

For many, starting a second or third chapter that includes business ownership offers multiple benefits: personal fulfillment, creative expression, and the chance to share skills with others. At the end of the webinar, the moderator asked panelists to give our best advice for starting a business later in life. I recommended making the business a family affair when possible—bringing loved ones into the work to share talents, leverage strengths, and grow closer together.

Making Business a Family Affair

Nothing I do with Mary’s Nest would be possible without the love and support of my husband, Ted, who is always eager to help. As the business has grown, our son Ben has stepped in to help occasionally, and we look forward to involving his future spouse someday. Working together for the family’s benefit is deeply rewarding and strengthens our bonds.

Learn More About Solopreneurship

If you’d like to explore the Encore Network or watch the webinar replay, their resources are worth checking. The Solopreneur webinar offered practical insights and inspirational stories from people who built businesses later in life. One fellow panelist, Traci Townsend, launched a YouTube channel called Fitness with Traci to help women over 50 get fit and strong—another great example of sharing skills and experience in midlife.

Enrich Your Life and the Lives of Others

If you’re 50 or older and considering a business, know that your experience and talents are valuable. Starting a business can enrich your life and the lives of those you serve. I’m excited to take part in future webinars and to continue documenting the journey of building a family-run solopreneur venture in the 21st century. This is an excellent time for people over 50 to share knowledge and passion through entrepreneurship.

Start Your Traditional Foods Journey

Alongside my YouTube cooking school, I write cookbooks to preserve traditional cooking techniques. My first book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook, published by Penguin Random House, is filled with recipes and guidance for building a traditional foods kitchen. It’s a practical resource for anyone eager to learn these skills, and I’m looking forward to releasing another cookbook with PRH in 2025.

Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List

To help you stock a traditional pantry, I offer a free 36-page Traditional Foods Pantry List. It’s a comprehensive guide with links to recipe videos and helpful articles to support your cooking journey.

Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy

If you want more traditional foods videos and community support, consider joining the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy. Members get access to exclusive videos, members-only perks, and a special badge for YouTube comments.

Shop for items used in this blog post or video

Favorite Kitchen Supplies

• Favorite Aprons
• Spice Grinder
• Countertop Burner (used on my kitchen island in many recipe videos)
• Handheld Vacuum Sealing System
• Vacuum Lids
• Whisk
• Silica Gel Packets (help keep moisture from building up in mixes)
• Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
• Fat Separator (useful for decanting bone broth)
• Flour Sack Towels
• pH Strips (for checking the acidity of vinegar)

Recommended Reading

• The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
• Nourishing Traditions