Let’s be real for a second—if you had asked me a year ago what I thought about Pinterest, I probably would’ve said something like, “Oh, you mean that place where I go to save crockpot recipes I’ll never actually make?” Yep, that was me. I was that person. The one who thought Pinterest was just a digital bulletin board for dream homes, holiday centerpieces, and a version of me that was suddenly going to start making artisanal bread from scratch. Spoiler alert: I still buy my bread.
But oh, how the mighty have fallen—right into the world of Pinterest for BUSINESS. That’s right, friends. This woman over 50 has turned pinning into her secret weapon for marketing my business. And no, it didn’t involve 10-step tutorials or growing a mysterious green thumb. It started with a fresh perspective, a little humility, and a whole lot of help from Kim.
Pinterest: From Pretty Pictures to Pretty Profitable
Let me back up for a second. When I started my business, I was like most small business owners—trying everything to market my services and praying that something would stick. Facebook? Check. Instagram? Double-check. Pinterest? LOL, no. Pinterest wasn’t even on my radar as a tool for serious marketing. Because who was pinning for business anyway? Well, apparently, smart people were.
Fast forward to the moment I decided to give Pinterest a shot. I opened the app and was immediately overwhelmed. Boards, pins, SEO, repins, group boards—what in the actual heck was all of this? I felt like I had wandered into a hipster coffee shop where everyone was speaking a language I didn’t understand. And that’s when Kim came into the picture like a Pinterest fairy godmother, waving her magic wand of knowledge and saying, “Girl, let me show you how to do this.”
Kim: The Pinterest Whisperer
Now, I’ll be honest…working with Kim was a little humbling at first. She took one look at my Pinterest account and basically said, “Bless your heart,” which we all know is Southern for “Oh honey, you need HELP.” And she wasn’t wrong. My boards were a mess, my pins were random, and my strategy was… nonexistent.
But Kim has this way of making you feel like you can conquer anything. She started teaching me the real purpose of Pinterest: it’s not just social media; it’s a SEARCH ENGINE. Yes, you read that right—Pinterest is Google in a dress. And once I wrapped my head around that, everything started to click.
The Transformation: From Pinning Chaos to Pinning with Purpose
Now, instead of pinning pictures of bathrooms I’ll never remodel, I’m creating pins that drive traffic to my website. I’ve learned how to use keywords (did you know “women over 50 marketing tips” is a thing?), make pins that people searching for to click on, and, most importantly, how to get seen by my target audience. And let me tell you, it’s working.
Pinterest has gone from my personal dream board playground to a legitimate marketing strategy for my business. I’ve had people find me, connect with me, and hire me—all because of a pin I created. Crazy, right?
Marketing for Women Over 50: It’s Not Too Late to Learn
If you’re sitting there thinking, “This all sounds great, Carla, but I’m over 50, and learning something new like this feels impossible,” let me stop you right there. I get it. Learning Pinterest felt like trying to learn how to code in another language at first. But once you get past the overwhelm, it’s actually fun. And honestly, if I can do it, anyone can.
What I’ve Learned: A Quick Tip for Pinterest Success
Here’s one of the biggest things Kim taught me: treat your Pinterest boards like a store display. Your pins are the products, your boards are the shelves, and keywords are the signs that help people find what they want. When you think about it like that, Pinterest suddenly makes so much more sense, right?
Ready to Start Pinning with Purpose?
So, here I am, a woman over 50 who once thought Pinterest was just for “fun stuff,” now using it as a marketing machine for my business. What are you waiting for if you’re running a small business and haven’t jumped on the Pinterest train yet? Stop saving recipes and start saving your business.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, just remember this: I was in the same boat. It’s okay to ask for help. Find someone who knows their stuff (like I did with Kim), learn the ropes, and then watch how Pinterest can transform your marketing strategy.
So, are you ready to stop pinning for fun and start pinning for profit? Because I promise you, there’s a whole world of opportunity waiting for you on that platform. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a pin to make—because apparently, people love “marketing tips for small businesses.” Who knew?
"Very well put. I've been with a health and nutrition company for over 26 years and I understand exactly what you are going through. I shiver to think what my health might be today at age 68 had I not stuck to my guns as far as practicing what I preach. Yes, I fall off the wagon regularly but my daily routine life reflects taking care of my health. That way I can keep up (somewhat) with my 7 grandchildren. You keep it up, Carla". 
"For most people the thought of venturing out there in pursuit of your dreams, in a place outside of your comfort zones is just what stops them. But I could sense your excitement not resentment in going against the competition. In planting your stake and truly making a difference in the clients experience. That's ultimately what matters, the rest just falls so easily into place. Thanks for that reminder"! 
Carla, I’ve got to say that I LOVE your focus on the joys and challenges facing women over 50. I’m definitely in that camp! I’ve been inspired by your candor, practical ideas, and refreshing determination to joyfully tackle life. The hours we’ve spent on the phone, in person, and through social media have enriched my life immeasurably. YOU are one Fiery Grandma, and I love your style! 
I have known Carla Gardiner for 6+ years. We met at a business training for bring business online. She is a business women at heart and willing to do the hard things to make the results show up. I have watched her run a business, work a job and take care of her family. She is a go getter when it comes to putting in the work to build her business to the level of being able to enjoy her grand kids.
She is the example that age is not a limit it is a tool for sharing knowledge to those she empowers to use their own skills and talents. Excuses are fuel to push her to learn and apply. I have seen her scared to death about implementing new technology and rock it out despite the learning curve.
I love watching you grow into your greatness Carla! Don’t slow down. 
"Carla, you are a model for me to follow. I love your site. And, I like what you have to say - very kind, very gracious. I have to say though that nothing in my life has ever been crystal clear". 
"I've known Carla for 5+ years and can tell you that she has lived every bit of this and more. We shared tears and laughs and hard work....you will enjoy getting to know Carla."