[USER]

I am planning my exit strategy and will not leave any customers hanging, but I do not want rumors started before I announce.

I opened up a bridal shop in 2019, had a great first year and then the pandemic happened. I had to shut down for 16 months and used up all of my emergency funds to stay afloat during this time.

I have been playing catch up for the past 3 years and I am just exhausted at this point.

I have not paid myself in over three years and I am just done. I am planning on either liquidating the business or selling to someone who has more working capital to keep going.

I come here to ask for any suggestions on a career change for a mid 30s woman who has been in the bridal industry for the past 12 years and needs a change.

I am open to going back to school or doing a training program but I am not sure what field would make the most sense.

I have no savings, no retirement, nothing to fall back on at this point and that is so scary.

My husband has a great job and healthy savings/retirement but I’d like to be able to contribute as well.

TL/DR: if you had to do a career change in your mid 30s in 2024 what field/industry would you choose?

TIA

[Gina]

I give talks to women about changing careers. I have done it multiple times w 4 kids (now all grown) and a very mentally ill husband. You can do it.

Here’s my path in part. Am almost 60 now and still not done w learning new things!!!!

Mid 30s: I changed from NASA scientist (MIT-geophysics) to tech owner (9/11 killed that biz) to resid real estate to biz broker to certified sr housing professional to commercial real estate and now I take biz owners from their businesses thru eternity by providing tools and strategies to build value before exiting.

Then move em thru my mature living resource org. Sell the home when it’s time.

Oh … and somewhere in there founded a holistic health center and bought a women’s clothing boutique (still own that)… and was exec director of a habitat for humanity affiliate during covid doing a FULL turnaround strategy to keep them alive.
That was trippy….

Got my MBA, all sorts of certifications for biz when I was in my early 50s.

So. Find something you are passionate about and run with it. You might go back and take a job for a bit, maybe in retail, until you find the something to run with.

Do you love numbers? Law? Art? Entrepreneurship? Relationships w customers?

Are you detail oriented and could be a transaction coordinator for a realtor team, or maybe go into real estate. Or… I have many ideas.

Read loral langmeiers book Cash Machine

[Leslie]

Can you work at David’s or be a bridal consultant at a big salon near you? Or work for a special events facility?

[Mikaela]

Definitely on the opposite end of the glamour spectrum, but I always recommend the agriculture industry! Poultry and feed, specifically are 2 areas that are always needing good people

[Travis]

If you have any interest in the medical field, take a look at Imaging Tech positions. Radiology, Mamography, & Xray all pay really well with just an associates degree and a certification.

I would look for a community college with a radiololgy program that includes the cert.

That should be the fastest path.

[Lisa]

At 36 I became an accountant. The best 2nd career choice I made.

[Caro]

One of my daycare mom friends just created her own wedding day planner business!

That’s adjacent to what you did. She even keeps the kids home with her during the week now and works weekends.

I’ve been really impressed by her hustle.

That being said, it’s committing to weekend work

[Rita]

If you like travel and don’t mind being away from your family (not sure if you have kids) intermittently most major airlines hire.

Flight attendants don’t start out making much but it definitely gets better and the travel benefits are great.

Plus, most have 401K. No training necessary and once established after some years you can do bridal stuff on the side.

[Kaitlin]

I went into court reporting and I love it. I will be making $70k in central Pennsylvania in my first year.

If you have any interest in the judicial system and have or can learn strong grammar and editing skills, there’s 100% job placement if you can get through the training programs.

[Rebecca]

What area are you interested in? Maybe some career or aptitude tests will help you focus on what you love. You may need a break after you sell.

[Deborah]

Would you consider a trade? Thinking your business ownership and self-driven approach are easily transferable. Plus, with the demands of bridal, I bet you’re detail-oriented.

There are training opportunities, and it would be different, which if sounds like something you’re seeking.

Plus, once established, you could again become your own boss, if that’s something you wanted to do again.

[Rhonda]

This was me in my 30’s. We did Dave Ramsey’s program and got rid of our credit card debt. He always tells people who are facing job loss or an internal conflict like burnout, why can’t you make a change and make more money?

Since I made that mental shift, I have more than doubled my income.

Your 30’s is a perfect time to transition. Also maybe worth talking to a career counselor about things that interest you.

Mine was medical, I was already an RN making a nice income. But I didn’t want to settle.

I set a clear goal in an industry that I knew was highly profitable and compatible with my skills, background and passion.

I am so happy I made that change.

Best decision I ever made to get over the fear and go for it.

Good luck!

[Andrea]

Military?
I absolutely have loved my nearly 20 year career in the Coast Guard. It’s a great opportunity when you just want to start over.

I was almost 30 and went Officer. They are taking up to age 41 (42 by graduation).

My husband has followed me with his remote job.

It’s been great. We didn’t have kids until nearly 40 and now nearing retirement before 50.

It’s a great way to find adventure while having good health benefits and retirement plan.

You just have to be willing to move a lot.

We’ve loved it.

[Sahar]

Do you still want to do sales? In any field?
Maybe go to a bridal show and see what others are doing and see if it’s something you want to do.

Put this information about you in ChatGPT and see what it suggests.

[Katelyn]

I mean instead of having an in person bridal shop, what about just working from home if you have the space? Or doing in home work and traveling to the client?

Not sure the type of space you need but have you considered this? That way you have less overhead.

And as a business owner you can claim office space and partial utilities from your home on taxes.

Just another option if someone else hasn’t mentioned it.

[Sarah]

If I had to do a career change, I’d go into healthcare. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that healtcare will always have work.

Also, I have always wanted to be a nurse.

My life just went the route of finance.

[Author]

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