Starting a Digitally enabled start-up at age of 50

I turned 50 this year. A round number. Is it?

After over 25 years of work, many people start drawing up what would be the perfect retirement plan. Then, there are those who are signing up to book clubs and creating timetables for spending time with their grandchildren. Well, this is not what I have in mind. Or at least not yet! Having served the Finance sector in various capacities, I am taking a route now, that many in my age would not; I started a digitally enabled company, Klass Academy.

A startup is no mean feat, but to me, there can be no better time for it. Now you could ask, what made you do this now?

First, my father used to say, “Learn my Daughter, no one can take your knowledge from you”. He said that, because after World War II, our family lost everything, the lucrative business, viticulture, and many lands. Knowledge and perseverance spurred them on and carried them through. The importance of learning accompanied me, all my life. 

Second, the Fortune 500 company I have worked for, has decided to move my position as Director of Global Credit from Switzerland into another country.. After some hesitation, I decided not to move but stay and start a new adventure, in Geneva.

Third, I see that the Finance sector goes through many changes; in terms of communication, outsourcing,  automatization, process improvements, blockchain and I could continue listing. Changes are fast – learning new competences is an opportunity for everyone.  

When I started to dream about my e-learning venture, I did not know that a worldwide epidemic would develop, and digital training will gain a particular importance. I just knew that learning was essential. I also saw that learning was hard for many. There was so much pressure and so little time everywhere.  In this information overload, I was looking for ways to help people self-improve even if their time was short. And here I am today… feeling positive. Together with my partners, we founded Klass Academy. We offer Digital Training, Virtual Coaching, and Live Courses in flexible micro-units combined with games. You can learn even in 3 minutes. For example between two meetings people can prove their knowledge in virtual competition with their peers; it is a fun competition for improvement.

We found our niche. We focus on Finance, Sales, and Order to Cash education. In simple terms, we educate people about what Credit means and how to communicate with clients having payment problems. 

Now I admit, it took some courage to venture out as an entrepreneur, even with 3 decades of executive experience. A startup is a delicate venture and there are many challenges to break even.

I chose to take the bull by the horns, by going into digital. It is a simple word “ digital”– but there is an entire new world behind; creating scripts, shooting films, editing, rendering videos, connecting YouTube with a learning management system, coding interactive exercises, implementing security plugins –  all to have that entertaining and meaningful learning material on our website.

But it is not enough to produce, it is compulsory to get in touch with customers, daily. And the means to do so? Of course, they are digital too. Most people of my age are not highly active on social media. I am clearly a late comer too, but I am not shy to learn. I see market influencers thriving through it, and that inspires me, so I am keen on figuring out these platforms for myself. Frankly, editing articles, using hashtags, sharing, building on referral networks, and google analytics was a discovery for me. However, today I feel comfortable navigating on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Instagram and Tick tock may come later.

Then there are funny moments as well. For example, when my Millennial daughter created a meme of me as Lagertha, the Shieldmaiden from the series, Vikings. Do you know the story?

Vikings were on a quest for a better life and conquered England in the 9th century. Lagertha was a legendary leader, flighting in the front line. Thanks to her efforts with other peers, cultures merged, people united, sailing, and land cultivation technology was improved and broadly spread. When my daughter showed me the meme, I was glad. It is good to be a connector, and perhaps, just like Lagertha I am one; connecting those who love learning and those who have an interest in the Finance world.

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If you are curious to learn Finance using digital technology, If you want to know Credit Management, Cash Collection, or you are one of those who dare to make a change, write me, show some support, and follow us on social media.

Remember; productivity is the result of good technical knowledge, continuous learning, and happiness. These are the notions I live by and this is what we believe in, at Klass Academy.

What sets us apart from some other young startups, is that we have many years of experience and a lot of knowledge to share.