Second Shift: Trading retirement for a new career

Our Second Shift series features people working more than one job or have a creative way of making money. This week, meet a 71-year-old who launched her own company two years ago. Want to be featured? Email Emily.Laurence@metro.us.

Name: Norma Krieger
Age: 71
Residency: Brooklyn
Lives with: Her daughter
Number of jobs: One

You were actually living in Saint Croix when the idea for your company came to you, prompting you to move to New York.

Yes. I was raised in New York City, but I was recruited by a four star hotel in Saint Croix and I was living what some people would call an idyllic life. I worked as a manager on 350 acres of beachfront property and had an apartment right on the beach. But once you’ve had an accomplished career, at some point you want more. I was looking for a new creative challenge and had a desire to do something bold and profound. When you’re a New Yorker, that’s in your genes.

What did you decide to do?

Well, I thought about my life and my background and got really excited thinking about [launching] a company. My company is called Krieger Creative Group and it’s multi-faceted and multi-disciplined. We sell fine arts and do branding with amazing artists in the U.S. and the Caribbean. I started by connecting with others and defining the offered services. We made a plan and between six and 12 months implemented the tools needed to do business and build our brand.

So your company started in Saint Croix, but then you relocated to New York?

Yes. I relaunched it in New York. Saint Croix just wasn’t a good fit for the company. We repackaged, changed the strategy and redefined our target market. We just launched an art salon where we have invitation-only events, such as discussions with artists.

Are you happy or do you at times feel overwhelmed having your own company?

I’m extremely happy. My company provides a lot of opportunities for me to experience and learn myself. For instance, I recently worked as an assistant producer on a documentary film with one of my filmmakers. I also recently self-published a few books. I’ve even explored acting.

Has anything in particular been a helpful resource to you?

Life Reimaginedis such an incredible resource to myself and others because they have a variety of ways to access guides and solutions meant to help others. For our parents, retirement for them meant the end. That’s no longer the case. Life Reimagined is a great community of other people who are vibrant, creative and motived. Their seminars and guides help people live successful lives.

Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence