'I found my dream job in retirement - marrying people'

Wheal was a teacher for three decades before retiring. She followed a completely different career path because she was inspired by her brother.

She talked about the challenges of taking on a new job in your fifties.

I loved working with children. Towards the end of my career, I was a bit dissatisfied. The creativity had gone because I was tired of the bureaucracy and box-ticking. I used to wonder what other people were doing when I looked out the window. I was thinking that I have been doing this for a long time and that there is a whole world out there.

My brother was a free-spirit of the seventies and I confessed this to him. He said, "You can do it, you know there are lots of skills that people don't have."

Image source, Adam Riley Photography

The death of my brother triggered the change for me. I had been doing things on autopilot and people thought I was doing well. I was very sad for the funeral.

A celebration with a celebrant conducting the ceremony was suggested by my dad. I had never heard of that role before.

I got along well with the celebrant as I prepared the eulogy. He was down to earth and supportive. The ceremony was amazing. I wanted to do that for other people. It was an impulse and it was like my brother's legacy to me.

My most recent wedding took place at a marina in Harlow, Essex. It took me out of my comfort zone. The couple enjoyed sailing. I don't like dressing-up parties and I had to ham it up.

I was a bit nervous at first, but I found myself really enjoying it. They made a stage for me on the boat. My neighbours must have thought I was crazy when I was practicing for that one.

Image source, Amanda Wheal

The majority of my work is weddings.

The majority of the weddings I do are more traditional. I do not judge. I help the couples with their ceremony. I meet the couples several weeks before the event to get to know them and start planning. At the ceremony, I also serve as an escort.

People renewing their vows or people marrying from two different faiths are some of the couples who choose Celebrants. Part of a wedding in England and Wales can still be legally binding if a registrar is present. The element is usually performed separately.

Image source, Lottie Photography

You might not know that your employer might not appreciate all of the skills you have.

In my case it was public speaking that I practiced in school assembly, standing in front of 300 teenagers every week. I had people and project management skills, as well as the ability to listen, which I had at school.

Every holiday was dictated and deadlines were set by someone else. I need to be self-disciplined.

I am making a bit of money through the business.

It gave me time to network, build up my contacts and lay the groundwork for my new business since you couldn't do weddings at first. I have done 15 weddings so far, and have 15 more booked-in. Since the restrictions have been lifted, there is a large amount of work that needs to be done.

I do not act my age. I like to go to music festivals and kayak.

When you start a business, you might think people will be older. People are curious to find out your story, your journey and why you started a business. There are people who want to help and guide you.

Image source, Lottie Photography

One of the things you need to think about when starting a business in retirement is managing your energy. You wake up every morning with a buzz and are learning new things and getting a new lease of life. You have to manage your emotions. Good things don't happen every day.

I love this job, from meeting the couples to the creative side of researching and writing the material for the ceremonies.

All the couples are special to me and I stay in touch with them. I am now living my best life and sometimes I have to pinch myself.

There are more stories about entrepreneurship in the CEO Secrets series.