We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Corp. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.

Andrea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The Bloomified idea came to me during perimenopause several years ago. I found myself in a state of bewilderment as I was looking in the mirror at my puffy eyes, new wrinkles, and hair that was losing its luster. But it was more than the superficial changes that struck me. It was this feeling of not being aligned. The me who I had always been didn’t seem to fit anymore, but I didn’t know who I was yet becoming.

I realized that I wasn’t alone in this liminal “space between”, and there were countless other women going through the very same experiences, silently. These midlife changes, both physical and existential, weren’t being discussed beyond quips about botox.

That moment was a turning point, and it ignited a fire within me to create a community of support where women could come together, share their stories, and affirm each other’s experiences.

Thus, Bloomified was born! An intentional pro-aging online community, bringing women together to connect, surrender and embrace the transition, as well as resist and rebel against the anti-aging cultural messaging.

Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a pro-aging advocate on a mission to bring women in midlife together to change the narrative, celebrate aging, and embrace the midlife transition as a sacred path of transformation.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Education tucked under my belt, and certifications in Positive Psychology and Meaning and Valued Living, I love exploring the worlds of learning and empowerment, grounded in courage and introspection.

You might also stumble upon my musings in Bella Grace Magazine, where I love to share little nuggets of meaning and magic in my writing.

I’ve always been a creative with ​a passion for embracing life’s transitions, self-discovery, and designing a purposeful life. I’ve had various jobs over the years, but I always seem to be called back to using my creativity to help women find magic and create meaning in their lives.

In my late 40s, I spent a few years in a Coming of Age phase, muddling through aging and changes and figuring out who I wanted to be next.

I found myself depressed, stuck, and not aligned. I had heard that “the cure for stuck is still”, so I stopped thinking and started feeling. I tuned into my body, allowed my heart to open, and my gut to take the lead. It led me all the way to a personal transformation!

I made the decision to leave my job in the real estate business in order to get back to my creative passions again and answer the call to leadership, with a focus on the midlife experience. I got busy making some MIDLIFE MAGIC. ✨

The name Bloomified came about because I believe midlife is a significant transition period and the most powerful chance to bloom.

I created a 6-week course curriculum called Bloomified: Finding Magic in Midlife, dedicated to inspiring women in midlife to explore who they wanted to become next, and help them redesign exciting new stories about their futures. My course idea grew and evolved into a (beta version) course community since it seemed important for women to be able to explore, grieve, comfort, belong, and celebrate in this aging journey together. It was a rewarding success! The feedback was positive! Women who were reaching menopause were hungry for this type of connection; a place to come together and talk about all the changes they were going through. Bloomified was inspiring them to resist the cultural narrative, change their language around aging, and step into their power!

What I’ve learned since then from my research on aging and midlife, particularly from reading Jungian psychology, is that this “space between” is a universal midlife experience. A transition stage that has us moving from an extrinsic or ego experience towards an intrinsic or spiritual quest for meaning. ⁠
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Where the first half of life asks us, “What does the WORLD ask of me?”, the second half of life asks us, “What does the SOUL ask of me?” ⁠
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“At midlife, the soul demands that we let go of our old roles, identities, expectations, and fears, and asks each of us that we step into our LARGENESS.”
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This call towards growth, purpose, and meaning is my VERY FAVORITE part of the midlife experience. I am an old soul after all! And this is what excites me MOST about the Bloomified mission. ⁠

In the latest iteration of Bloomified, I just opened a brick and mortar space in Royal Oak, Michigan, which will continue the work around pro-aging advocacy, empowerment and community. I’m adding a retail element with inspirational pro-aging products connected to the mission (jewelry, cards, books, apparel, candles, etc), and self-discovery classes and pro-aging workshops.

In a society that diminishes the worth of an older woman, reclaiming herself as the star of her story is a rebellious act! I’m honored to serve as a midlife midwife of sorts, and a pro-aging renegade leading this magical midlife revolution!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

At 53, I have enough years behind me, that I’ve pivoted many times. Each time, it’s been a result of feeling out of alignment, listening to my body, and following my inner compass.

A significant pivot was when I had a really good job as an Operations Manager in real estate. I loved the job itself, as well as my boss. I made a solid living, had attained expertise in my role, and had some freedom in my days. BUT, my body started telling me it was time to move on and forward. I felt restless and disconnected. With so many creative ideas and dreams that were still nudging me, I felt I had more to offer and was ready to grow. As I was approaching 50, I thought, “if not now, when?”

Leaving behind my real estate role was a necessary step in my own growth and alignment with my purpose. It’s incredible how embracing change can lead us to the most fulfilling and authentic chapters of our lives!
It’s NEVER too late.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

My business has multiple revenue streams. I have an online community with memberships, and then my in-person space has 3 additional business elements; retail products, classes, and event space rental for small groups. I also want to offer personal consulting. As a solopreneur, this is A LOT. I’m in the beginning stages now with building everything out, but faced with overwhelm every day.

Creating this business idea from scratch including all of my content and workshops, reaching out to guest speakers, trying to market each facet of the business; grow my customer base, learn about retail, creating my own products with my art, research booking apps, event pricing, and posting on social media, troubleshoot tech problems, it’s proven to be a big example of biting off more than I can chew. Time will tell. I just have so many ideas jiffy popping around all the time, and I don’t have enough of myself , time or money, to make everything happen at once. I’ve never been so overwhelmed, and I’ve never been so happy with what I’m doing!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bloomified.life
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomified.life/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreacleggcorp

Image Credits

Shelby Dubin, photographer