Why Listen to an 80-Year-Old About Online Business?

At 80 years old, I’ve witnessed more business revolutions than most people will see in their entire lifetime. I’ve been on the front lines of technological transformation for over five decades, from pioneering radio paging systems to mastering internet marketing in my seventies. If you’re wondering why you should trust business advice from someone who remembers when computers filled entire rooms, let me share my story.
Five Decades of Spotting Opportunities Before Everyone Else
My superpower has always been seeing opportunities while others were still debating whether they existed. Throughout my career, I’ve been a pioneer in:
- Radio Paging – When most people didn’t know what a pager was
- Mobile Phones – Before everyone carried one in their pocket
- Rebilling Telephone Calls – Creating systems that didn’t exist
- Business Messaging – Long before email became standard
- Recurring Revenue Models – Building sustainable income streams decades before “subscription economy” became a buzzword
Each of these ventures taught me invaluable lessons about timing, persistence, and the courage to embrace change when others resist it.
The China Story: When Determination Meets Impossible Odds
One of my most memorable business challenges came when I was working as a consultant in the sweltering heat of Malaysia. My chairman gave me an impossible mission: fly to Shenyang, China (where temperatures were -17°C), obtain a paging license, and “don’t come back without it.”
Working in China in those days was like navigating a maze blindfolded. The bureaucracy was overwhelming, the language barrier was massive, and the cultural differences were stark. But I understood something that many business people miss: persistence and relationship-building trump almost every other business skill.
After months of negotiations, cultural learning, and patience that would test a saint, I walked out of China with that license in hand. I swore I’d never return (though business eventually took me back many times), but more importantly, I learned that “impossible” is often just “difficult” wearing a disguise.
The Internet Revolution: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks
Then everything changed. The internet arrived like a tsunami, washing away traditional business models and creating entirely new opportunities. At an age when most people consider retirement, I saw another revolution beginning.
Instead of being intimidated by technology, I dove in headfirst:
- Took every course I could find
- Built websites from scratch
- Mastered Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and even Snapchat
- Learned affiliate marketing, SEO, and content creation
- Joined Wealthy Affiliate and became a top 100 contributor with 1.5 million followers
Why did I embrace such a dramatic learning curve in my seventies? Because I recognized the same patterns I’d seen in radio paging, mobile phones, and every other technological shift – early adopters win, and those who wait get left behind.
The Problem I See Every Day
Through my telephone answering service business, I interact with hundreds of small business owners. What breaks my heart is watching brilliant people with great products and services struggle because they lack internet marketing knowledge.
Every day, I see:
- Talented entrepreneurs losing customers to less-skilled competitors with better online presence
- Small businesses closing because they couldn’t adapt to digital marketing
- Hard-working people missing opportunities because they didn’t understand the new rules
This shouldn’t happen. With the right guidance and tools, any business can thrive online.
Why I Share My Knowledge (It’s Not What You Think)
At 80, I’m not building an internet empire for the money. My telephone answering service and decades of smart investing have provided financial security. I share my knowledge for three reasons:
- I hate seeing good people fail due to lack of information
- Teaching keeps me sharp and engaged with emerging trends
- Legacy matters – I want to leave behind something more valuable than money
What Makes My Advice Different
Most internet marketing “gurus” are young enough to be my grandchildren. They’ve never built a business without the internet, never navigated economic recessions, never had to completely reinvent themselves professionally.
I have. Multiple times.
This gives me a unique perspective:
- I understand business fundamentals that transcend technology
- I’ve seen trends come and go – I can separate lasting principles from passing fads
- I have patience that comes from knowing success takes time
- I spot scams easily because I’ve seen every variation over decades
My Mission for You
My goal isn’t to impress you with my accomplishments. It’s to help you avoid the mistakes I’ve seen thousands of entrepreneurs make, while showing you the opportunities that most people miss.
Whether you’re:
- A traditional business owner struggling with digital transformation
- An aspiring entrepreneur looking for proven strategies
- Someone tired of “shiny object syndrome” and ready for substance
I’m here to guide you with the wisdom of 50+ years in business and the practical knowledge of someone who’s successfully navigated every major business transformation of the past five decades.
The Bottom Line
At 80, I don’t have time for nonsense or get-rich-quick schemes. Everything I recommend has been tested, proven, and refined through real-world application. When I endorse something like Wealthy Affiliate (where I’ve maintained top 100 contributor status for years), it’s because I’ve staked my reputation on its effectiveness.
Internet marketing isn’t a “nice to have” anymore – it’s essential for business survival. Let me help you master it with the confidence that comes from learning from someone who’s been successfully adapting to change since before the internet existed.
Ready to Learn from 50+ Years of Business Experience?
If you’re tired of learning from 25-year-old “experts” and want guidance from someone who’s actually built multiple successful businesses across multiple decades and technological revolutions, you’re in the right place.
Let’s connect:
- Email:peterhanley@coachhanley.com
- Website: www.newbusinessonline.net
Remember: Age doesn’t define ability – experience does. And I’ve got plenty of that to share.
Peter Hanley Business Pioneer, Internet Marketing Mentor, and Proof That It’s Never Too Late to Master New Skills
Hi Peter,
Excellent advice and great information!
Best regards,
L.D. Sewell