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12. Get In the Groove: Empowering Modern Aging with Susan Feldman
Description
Do you ever feel invisible, underrated, ignored, forgotten, or irrelevant? Today, Dine Gilman welcome Susan Feldman, a true pioneer and retail innovator, who shares her journey from founding the antique furniture online marketplace, One Kings Lane, to creating Get In the Groove, a platform dedicated to empowering women over 50, curating items from pro-aging businesses and changing the conversation around ageism.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention
Susan takes us back to her retail lightbulb moment when she was trying to decorate her new home while juggling work and parenting. She realized there was a need for a platform to buy antique furniture online, leading her to invent One Kings Lane. Diane chimes in, sharing how she found real treasures on the platform and had them delivered, making her home truly unique. Susan later sold One Kings Lane to venture into a new realm.
Paving the Way for Modern Aging
With her entrepreneurial spirit, Susan started GetIntheGroove.com to fill another void in the market. She noticed the lack of dedicated spaces for women over 50 and wanted them to feel visible and empowered. Drawing from her experience with One Kings Lane, she curated a space that offers a variety of products and resources tailored to the needs of middle-aged women.
Defying Aging Stereotypes
Diane and Susan discuss how baby boomers are transforming the economy with their “nest eggs”. They emphasize that today's over 50s are healthier, wealthier, and more vibrant than previous generations. Susan shares how Get In the Groove aims to change the conversation around aging and ageism, especially during the challenging storm of menopause and the other life transitions women may go through after 50.
Embracing Pro-Aging
The hosts dive into the concept of pro-aging and the guilt some people feel around using treatments like botox. Susan advocates for doing what makes you feel good and not judging others for their choices. She highlights the lack of advertising and attention given to older consumers by companies.
Empowering the Next Generation
Surprisingly, Get In the Groove's Instagram attracts a substantial following from those under 35. Younger individuals appreciate seeing options for aging and find it a positive experience. Diane and Susan discuss how they wouldn’t have had open conversations about the menopause with their mothers but it is different now with their generation speaking about it.
The Light at the End of Menopause
Diane quotes Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick, who once said to a young male reporter, "Young man, aging is not for sissies." Susan adds that aging brings challenges, but by banding together with other women, staying curious and active, and pursuing new experiences, we can make it an enjoyable journey.
Susan’s details and links
Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok: @getinthegroove1
Twitter/X and YouTube: @InTheGroove1
Pinterest: @inthegroove0810
Connect with Diane
Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube: @thedianegilman
Website: thedianegilman.com