It’s not everyday you see a woman venturing into the world of business at 70-years-old.
But 69-year-old retiree Jenny Holten saw a gap in the market ten years ago, and decided to stuff it full of her delightful bread.
You see, Jenny is coeliac. And when she retired, came to the realisation that gluten free baked goods weren’t all that easily accessible.
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So. From her little home kitchen in Perth, WA, Jenny kickstarted her gluten-free, artisan bakery Strange Grains. Within six weeks, she couldn’t keep up with demand, and had to move into a commercial kitchen. Last year, she made a cool $1M in profit.
Last night, she pottered onto Shark Tank, Channel 10’s show whereby entrepreneurs dangle their (usually crummy) start-up companies in front of Australia’s most successful investors (the ‘sharks’) in a bid to win some of their hard earned cash.
When I say she ‘pottered’ in, I’m not kidding. Entrepreneurs on the show usually enter the room of investors (the tank) sweat-covered and shaking. Jenny doddered in as if walking into the kitchen to put the kettle on.
“I’m 70 next year,” she told the five sharks. “I started a little retirement business to keep me from getting bored at home.”
“I don’t know what a CEO is but I think I need one.”
Top Comments
What this woman has achieved is extraordinary. Most of the feminists getting indignant on her behalf (for being called "grandma") are really missing the point. Building a multi millon dollar business from scratch? They couldn't achieve what she has, most of us can't. And yes, the fact she's a retirement age grandma does make it all the more noteable.
Wow, could this article be any more patronising? Newsflash: women over the age of thirty don't suddenly lose their faculties. Why act so surprised that a grandmother (OMG!!1!) has business sense?
Good point. Hilary Rodham Clinton is the same age ... 69. Grandmother. Should be president of the USA right now!!!! Fierce.
Patronize her sharks ! - I dare you ......
Why did they even feel the need to call her the 'grandma'? Even grandmother would have been somewhat better. If it's an older man do we suddenly see everyone referring to him as the grandpa who did this? Like some cute old fuddy duddy which diminishes their position? Pfft, of course not.
Because loads of grandmothers are starting new businesses and then go onto network television to pitch for and get a multimillion dollar investment?
It's not patronising, it's emphasising why this is an unusual situation worth celebrating.
especially considering the majority of us will be working into our 70's