Let’s get one thing out of the way before we begin talking about The Fifty Factor, the new organization aimed at helping mid-career women find a new career or life focus.
You don’t have to be 50 years old to be a part of it.
So said Kim Keating, the founder.
“It’s for women in their 40s, 50s and 60s,” she said. “The Fifty Factor is a coaching and connecting hub to help women explore their mid-life purpose, prep for returning to work, consider entrepreneurship, or pursue new career aspirations.
“Our goal is to empower women with the tools and resources and connections they need to start their journey.”
Keating said The Fifty Factor will operate through a series of events in workshops, both in groups and individualized — in-person and online.
The first event will be Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. at Bell Works, featuring Laurice Duffy, a certified empowerment coach. (Get more details, register here)
“It’s for women who want to figure out what’s next — and how to get there,” she said.
Keating, 53, came up with the idea for The Fifty Factor while in the middle of a successful career as a marketing executive at a manufacturing company.
“I was kind of feeling a little bit uncertain in my own career,” she said. “Not necessarily where I worked, but the trajectory. I realized that being in my 50s was younger and more vital than I thought it would be. I started to think, ‘What else could I do if I had 10 or 20 more years of working?
“I started to read about the concept of a 100-year life, and that we might have multiple careers. I started reading about women who were pursuing second acts, trying out new things — re-exploring passions they had put on hold.”
From there, Keating said her marketing and communications background came into play.
“I thought: ‘I need to connect midlife women to the resources they need to make these things happen,’” she said. “I want to share the stories that make this more commonplace, so that it’s not a reinvention, but a natural progression.
“Midlife is really not an age, it’s just where we are in our stage of life.”
BINJE recently spoke with Keating about The Fifty Factor. Here’s more of the interview, edited slightly for readability.
BINJE: Give us your elevator speech?
Kim Keating: Whether you’re redefining your career, returning to work, or yearning to do something else but unsure of where to start, The Fifty Factor can help you jumpstart your journey. We provide in-person and online coaching, mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities you need while connecting you with a community of mid-life women who are supportive and will inspire you.
BINJE: Is it geared toward women in the workforce?
KK: Not necessarily. It’s for any woman who is in the middle of a life transition and looking for their next step. It certainly can be for a woman in the workplace, but it’s also for woman who may be looking to get back into the workplace. It’s for women looking to adjust to a big change, whether that be a divorce, a death in the family, kids leaving the house.
BINJE: Let’s talk about your events. Tell us about your first event?
KK: Laurice Duffy is a women’s empowerment coach who helps women explore what comes next by helping them explore themselves. She’ll help attendees:
- Explore your mid-life purpose and values;
- Lean into your mid-life talents, strengths and abilities;
- Consider what’s next for you after a career break;
- Remove self-imposed barriers that may impede your journey;
- Connect with mid-life women who will support and inspire them;
- Create a path forward that’s truly yours and brings you joy.
The event is for women who are ready to relaunch or kickstart their career after a break, pursue a second act or monetize a passion — or even step out of retirement.
The goal is to help women discover their midlife purpose after a significant life change.
BINJE: How often will you hold these types of events?
KK: The goal is to do at least one a month in 2026, but they will be part of a number of workshops both online and in-person.
BINJE: Anything else?
KK: We want to work with the business community to help women reconnect with the business world. We’re not calling them internships, but returnships. We’re not just working to help women gain confidence and clarity, we’re working to help them on their new journey.
BINJE: But you don’t have to be 50 to participate.
KK: Not at all. Turning 50 is a significant moment for women, but it’s not a requirement to join. We’re just looking for women who are ready to find a new path.
