Startup Story

As the world’s population ages, the 50plus generation are looking to make a difference in the next productive phase of their lives, Lynda Smith is a thought leader in this space and founded 50Plus-Skills in South Africa. Lynda is a pioneer and has started a few businesses during her 40 years in business. She dreams about bringing social change while empowering others to grow.

LoA chatted to Lynda Smith this month to learn more about her work to empower the 50plus Generation

What does your company do?

50 Plus-Skills is an online skills community, founded in 2017 that provides a platform for individuals, aged fifty plus, to connect with and provide their skills, time and services to business, civil society, academic institutions, NPOs and government. The community engages with one another to learn, serve, and earn while having fun.

“I envisage a place where older individuals with wisdom, skills and experience can engage with younger generations to support our economy.”

What inspired you to start your company?

I have had this dream to build this Skills Bank since 2007. I envisage a place where older individuals with wisdom, skills and experience can engage with younger generations to support our economy. This group also may need to work for longer and will need to build entrepreneurial skills and start their own businesses.

What makes your business, service or product special?

We focus on the over 50 demographic and engage in peer to peer learning and offer people a place where they feel a sense of belonging.

Tell us a little about your team

We are a group of 7 who care about South Africa. We are young and old and have different skill sets. A true inter-generational team wanting to help to bring economic change in our nation.

“We focus on the over 50 demographic and engage in peer to peer learning and offer people a place where they feel a sense of belonging.”

“I love to see our members reimagine their future and discover what it is that the future holds for them. Discovering one's purpose in the second half of life is critical to happiness and financial well-being.”

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

Yes I have always been an entrepreneur. I have started several businesses during my 40 years in the workplace. I have been part of 4 national teams in South Africa and enjoy working with a small team to design and develop social solutions.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

We are in the early stages and would love to see our community growing across each community in South Africa and beyond. We believe we have a model that can be duplicated and can make a significant difference to individuals as well as communities.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

I love to see our members reimagine their future and discover what it is that the future holds for them. Discovering one's purpose in the second half of life is critical to happiness and financial well-being.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Surround yourself with a strong network of people and take the time to build relationships that matter. Our relationships are an asset that stays with one throughout your life.

Contact or follow 50 Plus-Skills

Why LoA loves it….

With age comes wisdom, and for all those who are 50plus, they have a wealth of experience, insights, knowledge and expertise that can be tapped into by the next generation coming up behind them. But this is one age group that also has a lot of exciting new skills they can acquire to provide them with a wealth of new opportunities as they move through the next phase of their productive lives. Lynda Smith is creating a real community to bring people, skills development and opportunities together, and who knows what can happen as a result. As we are all living productive lives for so much longer now, this type of community is one that is set to grow, creating a genuine peer to peer network of like minded people who want to network and make a difference. This is a model that should inspire replication across the world, and as a result, change lives. — Melanie Hawken, founder, Lionesses of Africa