One-Person Company: Age Isn't an Issue, Value Is

Realizing the Need for a One - Person Company

The moment I realized that the end of the career path is unemployment, the idea of starting a one - person company just wouldn't go away.

In China, it's hard for me to imagine what industries and positions a person over 40 can get into. There are indeed some jobs, but most of them offer poor pay. In fact, in the future, many jobs may not even require human labor.

Jobs like security guards, cleaners, nannies, delivery drivers, and ride - share drivers have absorbed a large number of workers. Many of them have been unemployed before or are older workers that many companies don't want.

My dad changed his job once. When he was young, he worked in Shenzhen. Then he went back to our hometown and learned a trade in the decoration industry. But when he was in his 40s and 50s, there was less and less work in this field, and the market was shrinking. So he switched to being a taxi driver.

Recently, with the rise of driverless taxis and what I heard during the Spring Festival at home, the taxi business is not as good as before.

This made me think. If this path also becomes unavailable, what can a person in their 50s do? Considering that we may not retire until 70, what can they do or how can they make money in these 20 or more years?

Some people say, "When you're in your 60s, why work? Your children are grown up, and you can retire, take care of your grandchildren, or just find a simple cleaning job."

Let's not talk about big principles. Just let me share what I've seen in my hometown.

Real - Life Examples

Example A

A retired person used to drive a bus. He made money when he was young, but his income stopped after retirement. Unless he has a high pension, he can't just relax at this age in his 60s. After all, having no money means having no status anywhere. So he has to do odd jobs.

Example C

Grandpa C is probably over 70. He started working as a cleaner in the village, collecting garbage door - to - door, when he was in his 60s, and he's been doing it for many years.

Example D

As I remember, D never had a proper job. He opened a store, worked odd jobs, and then worked as a bus conductor. But now those old - style buses are gone, replaced by electric buses, and that job position has disappeared.

The Importance of Making Money and Creating Value

Making money is about survival. From birth to death, we always need to solve the problem of making a living. The so - called "pension" is essentially about worrying about this issue and trying to make up for it over time.

From 40 to 60 years old, there may be fewer and fewer available jobs. Robots and unmanned machines are gradually replacing human labor.

This made me realize that for most people, there will come a day when no one will offer them a job. They have to create their own job.

Creating a job means creating value. If you can handle a task on your own without relying on others, there's nothing to worry about.

Occasionally, I see videos of people over 60 on the Internet. Some of them are selling products online, and some are giving lectures.

There's a saying that the people you can attract are mostly those of your own age and with a similar educational background.

Does this mean that even if you're in your 60s or 70s, you can still attract your peers, create value, and make money through social media?

What kind of value can you create? Your experience is valuable. For example, you can teach others how to stay healthy, live a healthier life, and exercise together.

Sometimes, value doesn't depend on your ability but on your creativity. Many people think they need to be very skilled and better than others to provide value or help them. But in fact, value is not always related to the size of your ability. As long as you take action, you create value.

For example, organizing an event or leading a group of people to do something. Maybe you're not very professional, and there are people more capable than you in the group. But you win because you take the initiative, while most people just wait for others to organize.

So, value is about creation, not just ability.

Solving the Unemployment Problem with a One - Person Company

Going back to the beginning, with a one - person company, as long as you can create value, help others, and make them willing to pay, regardless of where you are, when it is, or what age you are, you don't have to worry about unemployment.

Daily Reading & Writing by Xiaolu 2025.05.22 [Day 626]