Career Change at 50: Why I Swapped the Boardroom for a Business in a Box

Ady Jones, Avon Man in a Hat™
Dec 17, 2025
2 min read

By Ady Jones (Avon Man In a Hat)

Do you remember the "Sunday Night Dread"?

You know the feeling. The knot in the stomach around 6 pm on a Sunday, because you know the alarm is going off at 6 am Monday. The commute. The stakeholders. The targets set by someone who has never done your job.

For 40 years, that was my reality. I was a Project Manager. I lived my life in Gantt charts, Prince2 methodologies, and corporate boardrooms. I was successful, sure. But I was also tired.

When I hit my 50s, I looked at the ladder I was climbing and realised it was leaning against the wrong wall. Making a career change at 50 feels risky, but for me, staying put was the bigger risk."

Why a Career Change at 50 Was My Best Strategic Move

Leaving the corporate world is terrifying. You worry about the pension. You worry about the loss of identity. Who am I if I’m not a "Manager"?

It turns out, I’m still a manager. I’m just managing my own freedom now.

Jackie and I decided to build a business on our own terms. We chose a model often overlooked by professionals: Direct Sales (specifically with Avon).

Why? Because it’s a "Business in a Box."

No Risk: I didn't have to mortgage the house to buy stock.
Scalability: We used our corporate skills to build a successful business.
Social Connection: Instead of boring meetings, we have coffee mornings.

The 50+ Advantage

Here is the truth that no one tells you: People over 50 make the best entrepreneurs in this industry.

We have resilience. We have life experience. We know how to talk to people. We aren't looking for a "get rich quick" scheme; we are looking for a sustainable, enjoyable income that tops up the pension pot and pays for the holidays.

Your Invitation for 2026

If you are sitting at your desk this January, staring at a spreadsheet and thinking, "Is this it?", I want to tell you: It doesn't have to be.

You don't have to retire to the sofa. You can switch gears.

If you want to use your skills to build something for yourself, alongside a community of like-minded adults, let’s have a chat. No pressure. Just a coffee and a conversation about how the "Man in the Hat" and "The Couple" made it work.