Welcome to the Peer Suite weekly edit, the 5-minute newsletter where professional women get the latest trends, opportunities, and advice.

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Inside today's edition, you will find:

• The next in-person Peer Suite event on how to how to build visibility, influence, and impact in your career
• What midlife female founders are teaching us about reinvention and risk
• 50 start-up ideas you can build with AI

The Take: Why midlife might be the perfect time to start your business

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I’ve just finished reading the HSBC x Noon Midlife Female Entrepreneurs report, and if you’ve ever felt like you were running out of time to start something new, this will make you feel the opposite.

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The report features insights from over 320 women and shares that midlife does not need to lead to a career slowdown, instead it can be a pivot point. We are increasingly seeing women starting businesses in their 40's and 50's leveraging years of experience that has led to a clearer vision and purpose.

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Some key takeaways:

• Most of them are self-funding, with very little access to external investment. Only 8% have received money from the government or charitable grants and only 2% have received any VC money
• Confidence and self-belief still come up as major barriers, even for women with 20+ years of experience
• Many women are motivated by freedom, purpose, and the ability to create on their own terms
• Respondents stated their main challenge so far was the lack of a network and peer support system to bounce ideas off, validate decisions, or gain sector-specific insight

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This report was a reminder of something I’ve felt for a long time, that starting later isn’t a setback. It’s often an advantage. These women are bringing everything from their deep experience, along with challenges and wins, to build something new in a way that works for them.

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Secondly, the need for peer support networks such as Peer Suite are vital throughout your career, whether you are looking to start your own business or not!

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Try This:

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Reflect on your 'why': If you’re thinking about starting something, ask yourself what you want your day-to-day to look like. What problem are you excited to solve? What kind of freedom are you seeking?

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• Write your timeline, not someone else’s: It’s easy to feel like you’re behind. But midlife founders are proof that timing is personal, not fixed. Jot down the experiences, skills or life lessons that make now a great time for you.
• Speak to someone who’s done it: Whether it’s a friend, a Peer Suite member, someone in your network or me (!), talk to a woman who has started a business. Ask what helped, what surprised her, and what she'd do differently.
• Know where to find support: If confidence or funding feels like a blocker, you’re not alone. So start by making a list of communities, resources, or grants to explore and come join the conversation in our member chat if you need help finding them. Reminder, you can access the Peer Suite funding and grants database here.​

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If you’re a founder or thinking about becoming one, this report is worth reading.

• What if instead of chasing goals, you paused to appreciate the ones you’ve already achieved? This idea might just be the reframe you need.
• As DEI programs face corporate cuts, 70% of neurodiverse adults say stigma at work is growing, and employers risk losing more than just talent.
• Sam Altman shares OpenAI’s next move: a memory function that stores your personal data and context. Helpful? Maybe. Creepy? Definitely a bit.
• ​50 startup ideas you can build with AI Y Combinator shares the AI-powered business ideas they’re most excited about right now.

{In-Person} Personal Branding 101: A Keynote for Professional Women: A practical and inspiring keynote by Petra Gatto on the power of personal branding, designed for women ready to lead with confidence. Learn how to build visibility, influence, and impact in your career. Followed by curated networking and Peer Suite signature matched introductions to other guests. Sign up here →​

{Virtual} Member Connect and Networking 21st of May at 4 pm: Join me for a 45-minute mid-week virtual networking session to meet other brilliant Peer Suite members. I will also be staying on for an additional Q&A session at the end. Sign up here →​

{In-Person} Finance 101 - An Elevated Wealth Workshop for Women: In partnership with Talo, Peer Suite will be hosting an intimate Finance 101 event, designed for women who want to feel more confident about managing their money, building wealth, and making smart financial decisions. Date and RSVP coming soon

🌸 It's not too late to plan your visit to The Chelsea Flower Show. Public tickets are still available for Thursday, Friday and Saturday Plan your visit →​

🌸 Hop in a rickshaw or join a walking tour to explore Chelsea in Bloom in full floral glory. Rides run daily from Sloane Square and can be booked on the day. Details here →​

🌸 In celebration of Belgravia in Bloom 2025 and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, The Goring has launched its new Bloomin’ Lovely afternoon tea, available from 5 May until 1 June. Book a table →​

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Welcome to our newest Peer Suite members 👋

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​Tatiana Malysheva SVP, Senior Repo & Stock Loan Trader at StoneX

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​Tabitha Bear Multimedia Storyteller Tabitha Bear Studios, LLC helping people meet the world one story at a time.

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Head to the Members Suite to connect with them and other Peer Suite members.

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When you become a Peer Suite member, you are joining a network of high-achieving professional women and founders in finance, law, tech and beyond who are connecting through our private chat, curated 1:1 introductions and at our members-only events.

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If you’re thinking about starting something new, whether it’s a side project, a full business idea, or just a quiet pivot, I’d love to hear about it. Hit reply and tell me what you’re working on or dreaming up!

Your friend, Rebecca from Peer Suite x

Want to partner with Peer Suite? Click here to get in touch.​

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