
She ditched retirement to launch a startup at 60. Despite no tech experience, founder-CEO works 70-hour weeks with a clear exit strategy
Published on: Sept. 9, 2025, 6 p.m. | Source: The Economic Times
At 60, Karen Hastie of Ontario, Canada, defied traditional retirement by launching the Chamber Perks App, a platform supporting local Chambers of Commerce. With no tech background, she relied on decades of entrepreneurial experience, building a skilled team and working 60-70 hour weeks. Free from financial pressure, she reinvested earnings to grow the business, expand services, and plan a strategic exit. Karens story proves that age is no barrier to purposeful entrepreneurship.