UnLost Cause

Launching BougieGougies.com in Her 60's: Kristin Middleton Inspiring Journey

Kristin Middleton didn’t let age, depression, or detours hold her back. After a rich career in wine and a life-changing health scare, she launched BougieGougies.com — a Seattle bakery reviving the French cheese puff.
This conversation dives deep into courage, reinvention, and the kind of clarity that only comes with time. Kristin's story reminds us: it’s never too late to dream again.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro + Kristin’s Early Dream of Entrepreneurship
0:03 – First Brush with Baking & the Magic of Gougères
0:08 – Career Detour: Banking, Wine, and Depression
0:16 – Hitting Reset in Her 60s + Canyon Ranch Turning Point
0:21 – COVID, Recovery, and the Idea That Wouldn’t Let Go
0:26 – Testing Bougie Gougies at Parties (Market Validation)
0:30 – Reading Candace Nelson’s Book: The Deciding Moment
0:33 – Launching Bougie Gougies in her 60's
0:36 – Mental Health, Energy, and Morning Structure
0:41 – The Role of Consultants and Business Support
0:45 – Goop Feature + Holiday Spike + Co-Manufacturing Plans
0:48 – Why Starting Late Can Be a Strength, Not a Weakness
Here is the list of a few books, Podcasts, Business Consultant, and Digital Marketing Consultant Kristin touched on:
Books
-Sweet Success by Candace Nelson https://amzn.to/3EWLF4Z
-The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma https://amzn.to/4k63b5w
-On Brand by Aliza Licht https://amzn.to/43iQNto
-Small Graces: The Quiet Gifts of Everyday Life by Kent Nerburn https://amzn.to/43mkz0k
-Dare to Lead by Brene Brown https://amzn.to/3ETdsmW
 
Podcasts
-Powerful Ladies (Host: Kara Duffy)
-Robin Sharma (for daily inspiration)
-A Touch More (Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird)
 
Business Consultant: Kara Duffy (Kara Duffy.com)
Digital Marketing Consultant
-Marissa Stahl
-Cherry-Creative.com
 
Public Relations with Food & Beverage Specialty
-Delaney Vetter (Delaneyvettercommunications.com)
📬 Follow the journey on Substack (www.unlostcause.com)  #UnLostCause #EncoreEntrepreneur #ReinventionAfter40 #Gougères #BougieGougies

You Are Not Broken: The Story of Redemption, Justice, and The Black Rose Collective

At age 16, David Heppard was sentenced to life in prison.
He served 24 years.
Today, he’s the co-founder of The Black Rose Collective, helping others heal and reenter society with dignity.
In this powerful episode of UnLost Cause, David shares how a single act of empathy shattered a lifetime of shame, how he rebuilt himself from the inside out, and how he’s using that journey to uplift others.
🔹 Learn how healing—not punishment—creates real change🔹 Why David lived every day like he was getting out tomorrow🔹 What the “8-hour bricklaying” philosophy can teach us all🔹 And how you can help support reentry and justice work in your community
If you’ve ever felt like it’s too late to start over, or that you don’t deserve a second chance — this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed.
🔗 Black Rose Collective: https://theblackrosecollective.org📬 Join the UnLost Cause community: UnLostCause.com
 

Herb Bread, Burnout, and the Bold Leap: Brooke St. Sauver’s Restaurant Dream After 40

At 16, Brooke St. Sauver ignored her mom’s warning and baked herb bread anyway. The loaves rose perfectly—so did her confidence.
Decades later, after climbing the corporate ladder in fashion retail, Brooke hit peak success and peak burnout. Instead of going on vacation, she and her husband sat down and wrote a business plan. That act sparked a second act: two restaurants in Seattle, The Coupe & Flute and The Dandy.
In this inspiring episode of UnLost Cause, Brooke opens up about:
The childhood spark that never left her
How burnout pushed her into purpose
The emotional (and financial) toll of entrepreneurship after 40
Writing a business plan as a turning point
How COVID, budget overruns, and self-doubt didn’t stop her
What it’s like to finally live a dream—and have no regrets
If you’ve ever wondered, “What if I’m too late?”—this episode is proof that you’re not.
🔔 Subscribe to UnLost Cause and hear real stories from people 40+ who turned their “lost causes” into lives they love.

✈️ From Peace Corps to $7M Purpose: Andrew Motiwalla’s Encore Leap with TheGoodLifeAbroad.com

At 45, Andrew Motiwalla could’ve played it safe. Instead, he bet on his dream—and built a travel company generating $7M+ a year.
In this episode of UnLost Cause, we explore Andrew’s unconventional path from Peace Corps volunteer to tech executive to founder of The Good Life Abroad, a community-driven experience helping people 55+ live abroad for a month or more with purpose, joy, and connection.
You’ll hear how Andrew:
Turned a career crossroads into a calling
Tested demand with just $7,000 and no product
Built a loyal customer base with 30% repeat rate and an NPS of 82
Raised capital the right way—by choosing a strategic investor over a syndicate of angels
Whether you’re 40 or 60, Andrew’s story will remind you: the dream you shelved might just become your most meaningful legacy.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review!🌍 Learn more: https://www.thegoodlifeabroad.com📸 Follow @thegoodlifeabroad on Instagram

🔥 From Trading Floor to Kitchen Door: Brian Staub Reinvents Life at 45

Ever feel like your real dream has been simmering on the back burner?
Brian Staub did.
At 45, he left a successful career in finance, enrolled in culinary school, and fought through setbacks — including the pandemic — to open Haven, a neighborhood restaurant inspired by his childhood kitchen and love of community.
His story is a masterclass in grit, reinvention, and making bold dreams real, no matter your age.
This is the *UnLost Cause* journey of reinvention, resilience, and starting fresh when most people settle in.
💬 If you've ever wondered, “Is it too late to chase a dream?” — this episode is for you.
📍 Learn more about Brian Staub and Haven:
-https://havenuws.com Instagram:
-https://instagram.com/havenuws
 
👥 Join the UnLost Cause Community:
→ Subscribe on Substack: https://unlostcause.substack.com/
 
🔔 Like this episode? Hit subscribe, share with a friend, and drop a comment about your own UnLost Cause.
#CareerPivot #Over40Entrepreneur #UnLostCause #RestaurantOwner #BrianStaub #LifeReinvention

Quitting Finance for Dog Walking without Fear [Veronica Zolotoochin's Journey]

Veronica Zolotoochin spent over two decades in the high-stakes world of finance, working as a bond and stock broker. 
But despite the success, she felt suffocated—disconnected from what truly brought her joy. 
In a bold move, she walked away from corporate life to pursue something that had been a lifelong passion: dogs. 
She bought a small dog-walking business in Salt Lake City called Dog N Butterfly that provides bespoke personal dog care in SLC and Staunton, VA. 
Dogs have been Veronica’s passion throughout her life, and they hold a very special place in her heart.
Her story is about courage, intuition, and embracing a life where passion meets purpose. 

How Victor Huang is Unlocking Entrepreneurship Rights for all with Right to Start

What if starting a business wasn’t just an opportunity—but a right? Victor Huang, founder of Right to Start, is on a mission to remove barriers that hold aspiring entrepreneurs back. In this episode, we explore how policy, community, and advocacy can create a level playing field for all. If you've ever dreamed of building something of your own, this is the conversation for you.

From Walking Away to a Second Chance: Craig Orlopp’s Incredible Golf Comeback

At 22, Craig Orlopp walked away from golf after finishing 2nd in a golf tournament. He pledged to himself that if he didn't finish 1st, he would leave behind a dream that burnt brightly since childhood.
 
But more than two decades later, at 43, he took a leap of faith—reigniting his passion, proving to himself (and the world) that it’s never too late to chase what you love.
 
This inspiring conversation dives deep into Craig’s journey—how he rediscovered joy, overcame doubt, and ultimately jumped back into the golf world after years in the corporate world. If you've ever felt like your time has passed, this story will change your mind.

From Lost to Unstoppable: Adam Guy's Midlife Pivot Proves It's Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself

Think your best days are behind you? Think again. This episode explores what happens when you stop making excuses and start making moves.
 
Adam Guy quit his job as a successful non-profit executive and eventually started IKnowaGuyNYCtours.com. He's never been happier and certainly is proud of his bold move.
 
Listen to Adam's inspiring journey and know whether you're 40, 50, or 60+, this is proof that your dream isn’t dead—it’s just waiting for you to act.

From College Roommates to Founders: How Gapwell is Helping Young Adults Thrive

What happens when two college friends reconnect decades later to tackle one of today’s biggest challenges?
Meet Seth Kessler and Lee Sosin, co-founders of Gapwell, who are redefining the transition from high school to career.
In this episode, they share their entrepreneurial journey, how COVID reshaped their career paths, and why young adults today need more support than ever. If you’ve ever thought about starting a business later in life with a trusted friend, this one’s for you!