For Subscribers

Still Up to Date A dating site for the 50-plus crowd

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

What: Online dating service for people age 50 andup
Who: Miriam Hipsh, founder of FiftyPlusConnect.com
Where: New York City
When: Started in March 2005

After reading an article about internet dating, Miriam Hipshdecided she wanted to find out more. But when she attempted tocreate a profile on one site, Hipsh, 59, got to a question aboutbody art and realized the site was clearly not targeting a matureaudience.

"It wasn't speaking to me," says Hipsh. Instead ofdiscouraging her, this realization piqued her entrepreneurialinterest.

After some research, Hipsh discovered that there weren'tmany dating sites targeting her age group, and she knew fromtalking with friends that there was a market for such a site. InMarch 2005, after a year of researching and developing her idea,she launched FiftyPlusConnect.com, a dating website tailored to theover-50 demographic.

"I don't want people to feel that by the time they hita certain age, it's over," says Hipsh, who became a singlemother at 48 when she adopted a 6-month-old baby.

Hipsh financed the startup costs of her business--approximately$30,000--using personal investments and the help of friends andfamily. She gave up her job as a reading tutor to work full time onthe website from home. She also hired a webmaster, who built anddesigned the site, and now maintains it. Hipsh describesFiftyPlusConnect.com as a "quiet site," mean-ing it'sinviting and warm, not flashy or busy. With large fonts andsoothing colors such as beige and blue, the site's design issimple and user-friendly.

By early 2006, over 5,000 people had joined at no cost. InMarch, Hipsh started charging $18 a month for a subscription to thesite and projects 2006 sales to reach the low six figures. In thefuture, she plans to add reader content, diversify the chat roomsand possibly retail FiftyPlusConnect.com items.

Most important, Hipsh wants to continue encouraging people toseek out love and happiness at any age. "I embrace my age, andI embrace experience," says Hipsh. "I lovelife."

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

UnitedHealth Group's Former CEO Is Returning to the Role — and Receiving a $60 Million Award

Stephen Hemsley is back in charge after leading UnitedHealth Group from 2006 to 2017.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Some Starbucks Employees Aren't Happy With the New Dress Code

Some Starbucks employees are walking out over the changes.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Money & Finance

The Recession Mistake That Cost My Business $1.5 Million — and the Decision That Put Us Back on Top

Two recessions, two very different responses: One cost me millions, and the other grew my business 10% that same year.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.