July 2021 Second Act of the Month Award
Each month, we give the 50PlusToday SECOND ACT Award to an individual who made an intentional decision to change gears in this phase of life. It’s our goal to recognize and support people who reinvented themselves at age 50Plus and we choose recipients who are creative, innovative, and inspiring to others. Their pivot might involve a new career, business, community effort, or lifestyle. A successful, happy, and meaningful life means different things to different people; reading what others did might start you thinking about your next journey! The bottom line is that the second half of your life can be as good as, if not better than, the first! We hope to inspire our readers with success stories from others.
Andrea’s Journey
50PlusToday asked Andrea Peskind Katz questions about why and how she chose to make her career change. Here’s what she told us:
50PlusToday: What did you do before starting your entrepreneurial journey?
Andrea: I spent close to two decades in commercial real estate, selling large office buildings. I worked in Dallas for a New York-based firm. 13 years ago, I retired from my first career. I had young twins at the time and managing a large sales team and traveling were incompatible with the home life I wanted. It was a hard decision after such a long happy career, but it was time.
50PlusToday: Tell us about what you are doing now (and for how long).
Andrea: Now, I run the Greatthoughts.com website and the Great Thoughts Great Readers Book Salon.
50Plustoday: What passion led you to start this new endeavor?
Andrea: I always loved to read. It’s my daily escape. Even when I was working 80 hours a week, I was also always reading. Every December, I sent my friends an email of my Top Books of the Year. Once I retired, I was at the pediatrician’s office when a woman I didn’t know told me that her friend had sent her my top books email. She then forwarded it to all of her friends. Unbeknownst to me, my email had literally gone viral and been shared many times. Thus, the idea for Great Thoughts was formed!
“I always loved to read. It’s my daily escape. Even when I was working 80 hours a week, I was also always reading. Every December, I sent my friends an email of my Top Books of the Year. Once I retired, I was at the pediatrician’s office when a woman I didn’t know told me that her friend had sent her my top books email. She then forwarded it to all of her friends. Unbeknownst to me, my email had literally gone viral and been shared many times. Thus, the idea for Great Thoughts was formed!”
50PlusToday: How does your age and experience help in your success?
Andrea: They say your first career is for money and your second is for love. That is certainly true for me. I read and review books because I love to. I was very driven in my real estate career and did not retire until I achieved my financial goals. That then afforded me the opportunity to be with my kids and grow Great Thoughts. I still coach young women and tell them to create the life they want or work towards the life they want and to invest wisely. Save your money!
“I still coach young women and tell them to create the life they want or work towards the life they want and to invest wisely. Save your money!”
50PlusToday: What unique skills did you have from previous job/business/lifestyle that help you in this new position?
Andrea: Well after two decades in sales, clearly, I am not shy. When I started Great Thoughts, I approached it like a new deal to pitch. I researched all the big publishers and contacted each telling them I was in Dallas and ready to review all their big fiction titles. Literally, the books then piled in. In my sales career, I learned to use my time wisely and partition my day boasted on priorities. I still do that, carving out my “book” time.
50PlusToday: What advice would you give someone in this age group searching for their meaningful second act?
Andrea: Do what you love. Life is too short to spend time doing things you don’t like IF you don’t have to. I know that I am very privileged to be able to spend my time doing what I love.
50PlusToday: What is your favorite quote?
Andrea: My favorite quote is from Robert Frost: “My goal in life is to unite my avocation with my vocation.
50PlusToday: Finally, can you tell me three random facts about yourself?
Andrea: 1. Cheese is my favorite food.
2. If I win the lottery, I am buying an awesome beach house in Southern California!
3. Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday!
Nominate someone for the 50PlusToday Second Act Award who’s created an awesome second act! Complete this form to submit their name for consideration!
Leslie Farin is the Publisher and Founder of 50PlusToday. She is an experienced communications and marketing professional passionate about working with older adults and their families. She works with a team of writers to provide essential and cutting-edge information related to the 50Plus community.
