Searching for multi-person roles when you’re over 50 is a challenge in many places, including Canada and the United States. In Europe, unemployment has been stubbornly high, and the pandemic deepened those numbers. In this story, a resident of the Barcelona Free Trade Zone named Trishia faced the end of a temporary contract as the world slowed down, vaccines were in development, and life outside the shop kept shifting with the times.
The path back to work was long and winding. Employers often saw age first, not experience. Wrinkles became a signal to be sidelined; excuses multiplied, and opportunities seemed to vanish. Trishia had been a sales assistant at a second-hand clothing store when her contract expired. After facing repeated cycles of interviews and tests that yielded little, she decided to change course. She left the old model behind and launched her own venture, opening a clothing store as a self-employed entrepreneur.
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There was a conviction in her voice as she described the durability of garments. A single piece of clothing can endure for decades, yet many people discard it and buy anew. The message was clear: when companies cling to rigid hiring practices that privilege youth over skill, the logic harms both workers with gray hair and the broader economy. Trishia spoke with a steady resolve about the unfairness she witnessed in hiring and firing cycles that undervalued experience.
In the conversation, Trishia described her stage plan and the reality of running a small business in a busy street corner. Her shop sits on a corner of Guasch Street in Badalona, where passersby occasionally pause to reminisce and greet her from a distance before continuing with their day. Speaking to customers has become more than a retail exchange; it often feels like a counseling moment, a chance to offer a smile or a listening ear. Some customers come in to remember, others to feel better about themselves, and a few simply to share a story or to reconnect with a familiar face.
Her nine months in business have yielded a growing roster of regulars, especially among female shoppers who appreciate the personal touch of a small storefront in the Free Trade Zone. The daily routine requires a long but rewarding commute—from home to the shop it takes about an hour and twenty minutes each way. Yet, she remains content. She does not view her situation as exploitation or a strike against her own dignity; instead, she takes pride in earning a living on her own terms. Even during holidays when the shop is closed, there is a sting of disappointment that reminds her of the autonomy she now enjoys.
Trishia was born in Honduras and is 51 years old. Her path into Badalona came after taking the helm of a role previously held by a retiring colleague. Finding affordable space and establishing a foothold proved difficult, and there were moments when she considered leaving for the United States to try her luck. An unexpected turn occurred when a neighboring property owner, who was preparing to move on, offered support that helped her stay and grow her business instead of leaving for abroad.
Today, the meaning of self-employment is multifaceted and sometimes fraught with uncertainty. Monthly expenses arrive like clockwork, while customer attendance can be uneven. Still, Trishia keeps a practical outlook. The reality is that a portion of the unemployed population is over 50, and many have spent more than a year looking for new work without success. Owning a business demands effort, but it also confers a sense of personal value and continued learning. She has plans not only to consolidate her first store but to expand, bringing in new products and perhaps opening another location in the future.