10 Women Over 50 Who Are Redefining the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Debra Ponzek, 56, Owner and Operator of Connecticut-based cooking school Aux Délices.

"I feel fortunate to be in my 50s and remain so passionate about what I do! The biggest gift of this age is a sense of confidence and real satisfaction. In this decade, I can reflect upon and celebrate my accomplishments and find a great balance between work, family, friends, and other activities that I love."

Robin Lail, 78, Founder and Owner of Lail Vineyards.

"In business, it was important for me to be a leader in order to lay more bricks in the path for women following me. I have defined myself as a vintner, but I am first and foremost a storyteller. What I have to share is this simple ideology: If you believe in your capacity to excite, to make magic happen, and to help people look at things in new ways, you are virtually indomitable."

Wardrobe: Non-Iron Fitted Dress Shirt, BROOKS BROTHERS, $98; Naveah Long Velvet Jacket, LAFAYETTE 148

Adaora Udoji, 50, award-winning journalist working across platforms in emerging technology.

"At this age, I realize I'm never going to get it right all the time, so I try to do my best, learn from things, and keep on moving. The pain of getting it wrong doesn't last nearly as long as it used to, and I'm digging that. Life is about being perfectly imperfect, and I know for certain more is possible today than I ever realized before."

Wardrobe: High-Low Pin-Up jeans, PARKER SMITH, $188; Sammy Leather Jacket, TOMMY HILFIGER for similar styles, $445; Daisie pumps, STEVE MADDEN, $90

Debera Johnson, 63, Founder and Executive Director of the Brooklyn Fashion + Design Accelerator at Pratt Institute.

"Having been an active part of the environmental, civil, and women’s rights movements in the late '60s, I can bring a perspective about the past to the present challenges facing this generation. The apparel industry has finally started to address the serious impact that fashion has on the planet. They are beginning to consider the lives of the factory workers who make clothes. It’s exciting to be able to mentor change-makers and innovators who are redefining the industry."

Wardrobe: Earrings, H&M, similar styles found at HM.com

Jean Chatzky, 53, financial expert and bestselling author of Age-Proof.

“At this age, I’ve received the unexpected gift of candor. I love the feeling that I can say whatever I want to say, whenever I want to say it. I’m able to take off the gloves, and I'm more comfortable opening up about my career, and my life — the ups and downs. Talking openly, about money but also about life, is what we need to do to help each other."

Lisa Laird Dunn, 57, Vice President and World Ambassador of Laird & Company, which holds U.S. Distillery License #1, issued immediately after Prohibition’s repeal.

"I faced insecurities as a young businesswomen, but I now have confidence in myself in an extremely male-dominated industry. Yes, women are accepted and applauded in the business world these days. Then we go home and take on the majority of the responsibility of caring for our families and homes. We place an enormous amount of pressure upon ourselves and expect to do it all perfectly. At this point in my life, I can accept everything will not be accomplished perfectly, and that’s okay."

Wardrobe: Dress LAFAYETTE 148, similar styles available at lafayette148ny.com; Ebb + Flow Slides earrings, TOKEN JEWELRY

Savona Bailey-McClain, 56, Founder and Executive Director of the West Harlem Art Fund and host of State of The Arts radio show.

"I bring art into open public spaces so people will feel less intimidated by it, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Along the way, I’ve learned so much about different cultures — we’re all blended. I’m always art-centric, and in my 50s, I want to travel more, meet more people, and have some fun."

Wardrobe: Carson Moto Jacket, available at DIA & CO, $95; Montreal Color Skinny Pants, MORGAN & WALKER, $69 available at DIA & CO; Top, ELOQUII, $60

Vicki Saunders, 53, Founder of SheEO and author of Think Like a SheEO.

"In my 50s, I’m saying things I was trained not to say out loud for decades — I'm so much better when I'm bolder. It took me a while to build up my confidence and give myself permission to create the change I want to see. I needed to get in community with other women, get radically generous with each other, and create a global network of women supporting women. We need women's leadership and innovation desperately to create a world that works for all. That's what SheEO.World is all about."

Wardrobe: Sol Lariat, SELAH VIE JEWELRY, $59

Mandy Cabot, 64, Founder and CEO of Dansko.

"After a lifetime of running my own business, I've learned it's okay to be inconsistent and it's okay to fail. You have to be brave enough to act; action changes who we are and what we believe is worth doing. At this age, I have met so many fellow travelers, adventurers, philosophers, and change-makers who are just beginning the next chapters of their lives — high adventure, meaningful non-profit work, and no-holds-barred activism. My 96-year-old dad once told me that life, for him, began at age 60. I get it."

Wardrobe: Easy Tee, ANN TAYLOR, $59; Women’s Mid Rise Boyfriend Chino Pants, LANDS' END, $60; Carla sandals, DANSKO, $140

Jessica Rosenblum, 52, promoter, club producer, and DJ manager.

“Fifty-two feels good! I’m healthy both physically and mentally, which is definitely worth celebrating. I have an inner calmness and a sense of self-realization. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore."