Former writing instructor Connie Inukai is now a second-act businesswoman and grandmapreneur. She retired from a successful 40-year career teaching Technical Writing at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland to pursue her true passions. At the age of 68, she started a business, began writing, looked after her two young grandkids, and invented Tip ‘n Split, a technologically advanced device to assist diners with low vision. Connie exemplifies how second-act business owners can flourish by focusing on what is most important to them. She is now a well-known entrepreneur, businesswoman, Grandmapreneur, and author.
Connie’s entrepreneurial path began with her unique creation, Tip ‘n Split. It was a portable phone that allowed customers to read minute details on menus and bills more easily. Furthermore, it promptly divided the cost and calculated the tip. The following year, she published a book, How I Got My Product, on QVC, The Today Show, The View, and More…In Retirement: It’s All About the Buzz. Connie also became a public speaker in order to inspire other baby boomers, like herself, to pursue their interests after retirement.
At one time, we were all kids” – Connie
Write Your Selfie: The Power of Litheness
Being in the high-risk category of the COVID-19 pandemic, Connie could rarely leave the house. Therefore, she decided to make good use of her free time by writing her “life story” through pictures in order to create a memoir for her children and grandchildren. Connie didn’t produce a standard “memoir,” though. Instead, she combed through shoeboxes and photo albums stuffed with images from her past, using pictures and captions to make it easier to write and read. She believed that now was the right time to write and tell her story because she was a retired writing instructor.
Connie believes that everyone has a tale to tell. Therefore, to assist people in getting started and writing “their” stories, Connie created Write Your Selfie. It is a course that encourages people to write their life stories in a fun and easy-to-read format so that future generations can enjoy learning about their ancestry and life lessons. Connie uses her writing expertise to assist fellow Baby Boomers in creating their own unique life narratives to pass along to children, grandkids, and future generations.
Connie’s Important Tips for Every Generation
Know your client. Not everyone is your customer. Learn what they desire, then provide it to them. With Write Your Selfie, Connie concentrates on those who want to leave a legacy for their children and grandchildren. A memoir for their parents might be something millennials are interested in writing.
Let others handle what you can’t, and concentrate on your areas of strength. For instance, Connie writes well. She has taught writing for over 40 years but does not know SEO, digital marketing, lead magnets, or most other technical terms. Now, her staff assists her with those. Connie began her career later in life. She met her mentor, Lindsey, through a Facebook group. Lindsey, while being half her age, possesses the abilities she requires to succeed in today’s entrepreneurial world.
With her inspiring journey, Connie advises retirees, irrespective of age, to pursue their interests and live the life they have always desired. And if you can’t do it alone, create a group and take on a mentor.
