The Blooming Solopreneur

Have you ever heard of a grave tender? Until 2017, I hadn't either. Today, gravesite beautification is still one of the primary services I offer through Serene & Green—and it's work I find incredibly meaningful. Grave tenders are essentially cemetery visitors for hire. We visit gravesites on behalf of people who can't—or simply prefer not to—do the work themselves. That might mean tidying and...

What if the goal of this next chapter isn’t simply to be happy? A recent New York Times opinion piece by Mark Edmundson, “There’s Something Better Than Happiness,” got me thinking about our cultural obsession with comfort—especially as we approach retirement and later adulthood. I don't agree with everything in the piece. I believe deeply in rest. In doing nothing. In beach chairs, naps, leisurely...

Sometimes the big dream has to wait. Maybe your job is too demanding to launch the business you've been thinking about. Maybe financial responsibilities mean retirement isn't realistic yet. Maybe family commitments are taking up most of your time and energy. There are seasons when waiting is actually the wise choice. But there's a difference between waiting passively and preparing actively . In th...

For the past eight years, I thought I was building a side business. I was learning how to find clients, price my services, host workshops, and grow Serene & Green. But looking back, I can see I was building something much bigger. I was building evidence. Evidence that I could create opportunities for myself. That I could earn income on my own terms. That I could solve problems I'd never faced...

Let’s go back - way back - back to the very beginning of my passion for flowers, from my great-aunt Ethel’s snapdragons to the tiny backyard garden where it all began. You'll hear how this love of blooms eventually led to the creation of my floral business and my discovery of the Growing Kindness Project—a nonprofit dedicated to spreading joy through flowers. As a proud Growing Kindness Ambassador...

In this episode of The Blooming Solopreneur, I dive into a powerful shift in how we think about work, aging, and purpose. Inspired by a recent talk from Australian author Bec Wilson, I explore the idea of our 50s and 60s as Prime Time—not the end of our working years, but the beginning of something intentional and fulfilling. You’ll hear: How I turned down a top job to lean into flexibility and fu...

In this episode, Betsy shares why she believes that personal, in-person service businesses are the ideal starting point for midlife women ready to dip their toes into entrepreneurship. Drawing from her own experience starting Serene & Green—a gravesite care business launched with just the tools in her garage—Betsy walks through the four big reasons service-based businesses offer flexibility, l...

Being a solopreneur can be tough—but it’s also deeply rewarding. In this episode, I’m sharing 7 of the most meaningful and often overlooked rewards of building a business on your own terms. From flexibility and confidence to rediscovering joy and purpose, these lessons have shaped my journey—and might just inspire yours. If you’re a midlife woman considering a side hustle or in the early stages of...

Running a business solo doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Today, I open up about the often-unspoken experience of loneliness as a solopreneur—and the practices I’ve embraced to stay connected, motivated, and grounded. From forming a rock-solid accountability partnership, to volunteering in my community, to investing in lifelong friendships, I share real-life strategies for making this path feel...

What if the business you’re building isn’t just a way to earn money or fill your time—but a powerful path to mattering ? In this short, heartfelt episode, Betsy shares a lightbulb moment sparked by a faculty meeting speaker, Zach Mercurio, author of The Power of Mattering . He defined mattering as the opposite of loneliness: the experience of feeling valued and adding value. This got Betsy thinkin...

In this short and heartfelt solo episode, host Betsy Block reflects on the winding path that led her from a notebook full of business ideas to finally launching the side hustle she now loves. If you’ve ever spent years thinking about starting something, second-guessing your ideas, or waiting for the “perfect plan,” you’re not alone. Betsy shares her own journey—how a simple idea from 2014 took fou...

Fall isn’t just pumpkin spice season—it’s prime time for laying the groundwork for the life and business you want in 2026. In this episode, we tap into that “back-to-school” energy so many of us remember from childhood—the fresh notebooks, the sharpened pencils, the sense of possibility—and explore how adults can use this seasonal shift to reset routines, refocus goals, and create real momentum be...

In this episode, I’m getting real about something many of us struggle with—falling off the wagon. Whether it’s your side hustle, your creative project, your workout routine, or something else you were excited about… sometimes life happens, and we stop. No fanfare, no plan—just pause. And the longer the pause, the harder it feels to begin again. I share my personal story of taking a 6-month break f...

In this episode, we’re talking about that uncomfortable in-between space so many women experience in midlife—when one chapter is ending, but the next hasn’t fully revealed itself. Whether you’re navigating an emptying nest, a career shift, or a deeper sense of restlessness, this “messy middle” can feel disorienting and lonely. But what if it’s actually a launching pad for something new? I’m sharin...

Did the close of 2024 leave you in a state of exhaustion? You may not be the only one who started 2025 without a full battery. Not everyone starts the new year ready to hit the ground running, and that’s OK. Just take a look at nature - winter is a season of rest. It serves a purpose, and doesn’t last forever. Your energy will return!   🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 LINKS + MENTIONS: Serene & Green https://...

Are you sold on the idea of starting a side hustle but stuck on finding a good idea? Let me help you get unstuck! Following on last week’s episode, I’ll dive deeper into questions upi can ask ChatGPT to refine their side hustle suggestions so that you can find the one that is perfect for you!   🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 LINKS + MENTIONS: Serene & Green https://www.sereneandgreen.com/ 🌟 Grab my freebie:...

Are you sold on the idea of starting a side hustle but stuck on finding a good idea? Let me help you get unstuck! I’ll guide you through a series of questions to consider in order to find a business that suits your personality, skill set, and personal resources. From there, you can craft a detailed prompt to use ChatGPT as your Side Hustle Advisor.   🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 LINKS + MENTIONS:   Serene...

If you’ve thought of “midlife” as a period of time or a range in years, this podcast episode may surprise you. Whether you’ve in your 30’s or your 60’s, if you’ve starting asking the bigger questions about your life and your purpose, welcome to midlife! Tune in to learn more about the questions that define the midlife years.   🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 LINKS + MENTIONS: 🌟 Grab my freebie: Ignite Your Spark...

Daydreaming is not some useless waste of time. It’s been stigmatized and associated with laziness but when done with intention, it can generate fresh ideas and brand new perspectives. Daydreaming helps you connect with your subconscious mind, allowing you to uncover desires and ideas that might otherwise stay buried in the busyness of daily life. Deliberate daydreaming requires finding the mental...

The days following a major life event, client project - or national election - can feel exhausting, and it’s tough to bounce back! The stress and fatigue can leave you feeling like you went out on the town and had one too many. I call this an energetic hangover. You can’t put your life - or your job - or your business - on hold, but you also need to recognize the reality of the situation and take...

In this mini-episode, we dive into the concept of JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out—and how it can transform your journey of building a side hustle or small business you’re truly passionate about. For women in midlife, embracing JOMO means confidently saying “no” to commitments and activities that drain energy, making room for the things that bring real joy and purpose. When you’re immersed in a busines...

This episode blends the practical, goal-oriented mindset with the aspirational dreaming that can fuel your side hustle journey. I'm a big believer that everyone needs to set goals in life. Otherwise, how do you know where you’re headed? I think it’s especially critical at midlife & beyond, because having goals you are working towards can keep you from feeling stuck. When you get focused on ach...

I started my first side hustle in 2018, as my boys were moving through high school. A chapter in my life was rapidly closing, and getting older suddenly felt very real. I’d dabbled with some entrepreneurial ideas over the years, but the idea of a creative outlet - and something that was all my own - captivated me. Keeping up with a full-time job while building a business is challenging, but the ti...

Juggling a full-time job with a side hustle requires more than just good time management; it also takes mental agility to switch gears between two very different types of work. You might be deep into a creative flow with your side hustle, only to realize you need to shift to your corporate mindset for an afternoon meeting. This constant back-and-forth can be mentally exhausting and overwhelming if...

As you consider starting, or if you're in the early stages of building, a side hustle, the journey is just as important as the destination. A side hustle isn’t just about making money—it’s about reclaiming your time, your decisions, and your sense of purpose. It’s about creating something that is truly your own, something that reflects your passions, your values, and your unique vision for the fut...