TACTICAL WISDOM
Starting a Mid-Life Business and the *$#@ing Mentors Who Came Before Us
As a woman in my fifties, I have a long list of things I could complain about. Gray hair, aching knees, and the occasional brain fart go with the territory. Restaurants print menus with teeny tiny print, and my home thermostat sets at a wonderfully comfortable 65 degrees. When my sons and their respective girlfriends come to visit, I hand them snuggly warm blankets at the door, so they don't freeze to death.
When I was in my mid-20's, I was blessed to have a mentor and eventual dear friend who happened to be the same age I am today. Today happens to be her birthday, and she is no longer with us, so I guess Margo is on my mind for a good reason. I remember vividly the day she said to me, "Lora Sue, with every decade you peel off the calendar in your life, the less you actually give a *$#@ what people think about you." I will never forget the absolute shock I felt hearing her, a woman my own mother's age in her stiletto heels and shoulder-padded power suit, using that word! Sure I used that word occasionally, heard it in the movies constantly, but from her? Can old people talk like that?
Oh my how the decades have changed me since then. As it does for everyone, life has a way of taking its course and shaping and molding us along the journey. My dearest blessed Margo's voice is as fresh in my head today as it was 28 years ago. I've survived and thrived through all of these decades and can honestly tell you that what I think of me is far more valuable and necessary than what others think of me. We gain that as we age, and it's wonderful!
In my current profession, I've had the opportunity of mentoring some truly amazing younger women and men over the years. I sometimes wonder whether my voice will ring in their ears someday with a tasty tidbit of knowledge I've left behind. I will forever equate Margo with the first grown-up person I ever knew that used the *$#@ word regularly but also as the woman who taught me that I had the strength within me to tough it out with the "big boys" as she used to describe our work environment of the '90s. She never let the fact that she weighed about 110 pounds, or had prematurely gray hair, or was a woman and a mother stop her from taking on the day and whoever came across her path with enthusiasm, professionalism and intelligence. We call that "leaning in" today; I just call it Margo.
As my fellow gray-haired and feisty business partner Brenda and I forge ahead in this new pursuit, I'm probably going to let more *$#@ words fly than she will. She tends to be a bit more on the analytical and mannerly side of life. But we will make a fearless team, of that I am confident. If you are looking down watching us today, Margo, thank you for taking that 25-year old under your wing all those years ago. Now watch us fly!
EXCITING NEWS!
It is our pleasure to introduce you to Tactical Health and Insurance Content Writing, LLC!
Tactical's value proposition is to bring timely, transparent, reader-friendly life to subjects like dementia care and science, geriatric medicine, the complexities of Medicare, and overall healthy aging. Tactical's partners Brenda and Lora blend 40 years of serving the senior market in health and insurance professions. We've earned this gray hair, and we are ready to blend our knowledge with your needs to reach more senior market readers and B2B clients.