My mind is awhirl now with all of the ideas I have in starting a new business. As my friend, Pat, says, “I am beginning my second act.” A number of years ago I had a wonderful friend, Millie. Millie was in her 80’s at the time and was one of the happiest, most content women I have seen. Her secret was to accept each stage in life and make the most of it. I have strived to live by that for the last 20 years.
Now I am following my passion by starting my own business after navigating the corporate world for 29 years! I am making pillows from wedding dresses. I take someone’s dress that has been hanging in their closet for 10, 20, 30, 40 years and turn it into a beautiful pillow that they can give to a daughter, granddaughter, niece or keep for themselves. My customers have tears in their eyes when the see what I have created.
Therefore, my advice for all women today is think about what you have always wanted to do and follow your passion. If you can’t make a total change as I have done, do something in a small way that gives you satisfaction and takes you on your journey of your “Second Act.”
ElderChicks 
Marilyn, what a wonderful idea. I think you must be very talented and original to think of this and then follow through.. Go Girl !!!!
Thanks!!
Smart lady! I found that I stay happy when I am productive. . keep up my free lance writing skills and volunteer at things that truly interest me. Kudos, Marilyn. . wonderful idea.
Great idea. I just attended a wedding in which the bride wore her mother’s and grandmother’s veil, only rearranged it to tuck the top under her upswept in the back and nothing over her face. There’s a lot of sentiment for veils! Lois
Great idea and good luck. Someone recently told me about her plan to turn handed down mink stoles into teddy bears.
Marilyn, this is a beautiful idea. Best of all, you inspire us to think about something we can do or always wanted to do . . . and to DO it! I just clicked on “business” in your post and saw your web site. The pillows are gorgeous! Congratulations!
Marilyn, did you always know what shape your business would take? I am still working full time and trying to imagine starting my own business. Just curious if you knew what path you would take, or if it was something you had to explore and figure out? Your idea is beautiful!
No, I did not know. When I was thinking of “what I wanted o be when I grew up” I was having lunch with my accountant. I told her that I was thinking of retiring, and her response was, “What did you want to be when you were a little girl?”. I said, “I wanted to be a dress designer.” She suggested that I could do that by going back to school.
Several days later i was having lunch with another friend, an Interior Designer, who knew that I had a very strong background in sewing. She suggested that I look into designing and making pillows from vintage fabric. I also liked that idea. When I discussed it with some another friend, she asked me if I would make a pillow for her from her wedding dress. That is when the light bulb came on. As I did my feasability study, everyone I talked to thought it was a great ideas; and asked me to make one for them.
I have two suggestions for you. Number one is decide what you really enjoy doing, then go to About.com and download the information on marketability and feasability studies. The next step is to write your business plan (About .com also has a free course on how to do this). Then start with small steps and work when you can until you can afford to quit your job. If you want to discuss this more with me, feel free to contact me at ma@marilynarnolddesigns.com. I would love to help you further. There is nothing more exciting that following your passion and developing a business.
Marilyn,
What a great idea. I felt sorry as I read your idea of what you do with wedding gowns that I had gotten rid of mine after my second daughter married and had no interest in wearing it . What a wonderful keepsake to hand down. Who would have known about your creativity!
Linda Botton