Crowdfunding, fear and getting over it

The past four weeks have been a whirlwind with the launch of a new Startup School for Seniors cohort and a crowdfunding campaign to host an Advantages of Age Awards Ceremony. I enjoy a challenge, but it may be a step too far and did push me outside my comfort zone.?

I may, on the surface, appear to be confident; however, having failed twice before when trying to crowdfund, I went into our most recent effort with much fear. I've had issues with my ability to confidently ask for money, to the detriment of my bank account.?

It's an issue I've been working on for the past six months, stepping into my ability to ask for what I'm worth and charge an amount commiserate with the value I add to any interaction I have. The result is that I've stopped offering advice or contacts for free that are business related because I've heard often enough now to believe that I save people a tremendous amount of time and money after a 30-minute call.

Nevertheless, if you've previously failed to achieve a goal, it's common to bring all that fear to bear when trying again. I've encountered enough people coming to Startup School for Seniors with a poor track record when starting businesses, and I recognise the mindset change that needs to take place. Still, it's one thing to help others and much more challenging to help oneself.

I'm very grateful for having Rose Rouse as my partner in crime on the crowdfunding campaign; she has edited the website and managed the Advantages of Age Facebook group for six years and is emotionally astute. She knows me well enough to tell when there's an underlying issue, and she stepped up and took on most of the responsibility for raising the money. At the same time, I moved through feeling confident enough to share my vulnerability around it. The result is that we not only managed to achieve our goal but over-raised it. So now we can bring on board the agency to help us find sponsors and partners to ensure we produce a polished ceremony, can hire an events organiser and the prestigious Wilton's Music Hall as our venue.?

It has been incredibly moving to read many of the comments that accompanied the contributions, revealing a depth of support for what Rose, Mark Elliott and myself have been doing for many years to help defy society's expectations of what it means to grow older. Whether through the Arts Council-funded activities we have delivered around taboo subjects such as Death, Sex and Older Style to the multiple cohorts of Startup School for Seniors we run, we are a powerful voice in the pro-ageing movement generated by our small team.?

I'm incredibly grateful to everyone that contributed - no matter what size. I know this is only the beginning, but we have more great news to come shortly. If you're around on 17th March, we'll be hosting a sixth Advantages of Age Anniversary party in London along with the respective birthdays of myself (62 years) and Rose (70 years). I encourage you to come along and celebrate with us. There will be dancing, performances, conversation and cake!