Making the Midlife Leap
Entrepreneur US|Startups - Fall/Winter 2024
After getting laid off in her early 50s, Keri Gardner decided she wanted to control her own fate-so she bought a franchise with her 401(k).
KIM KAVIN
Making the Midlife Leap

Sometimes, building the life you want requires a big risk. That's what Keri Gardner realized when she cashed in $100,000 of her retirement savings to buy a franchise. It was November 2020, and she had just been laid off from her executive role at a health company. A franchise recruiter called her and asked, "Do you want to work for anybody else?"

Gardner replied, "Absolutely not. I work really hard. I want to do it for me."

This story is from the Startups - Fall/Winter 2024 edition of Entrepreneur US.

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This story is from the Startups - Fall/Winter 2024 edition of Entrepreneur US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

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