SUWON, SOUTH KOREA – Lee Eun-im, a 61-year-old former kindergarten principal, is now the founder of a matchmaking platform connecting families with childcare providers. The shift came after her daughter received a stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis three years ago, forcing Lee to reassess her future and leverage her three decades of experience in early childhood education.
Lee initially returned to work as a salaried kindergarten principal to cover her daughter’s medical expenses. However, she quickly realized the physical demands were becoming unsustainable. “I wondered what use 30 years of experience as a kindergarten teacher and principal could be,” she said, questioning the value of her skills in a changing landscape.
Facing uncertainty about her own retirement and her daughter’s ongoing care, Lee turned to artificial intelligence. She discovered AI wasn’t an insurmountable technological barrier, but a tool that could revitalize her career. “If I hadn’t encountered AI, I would have gone out of business within six months,” Lee stated.
Today, Lee operates “Dolbome,” a platform that connects families in need of childcare with qualified caregivers. She describes AI as a “survival tool” that has enabled her second act, rather than simply a technological novelty. Lee is now a “solo-preneur,” a term for a single-person entrepreneurial venture.
Lee’s journey began with a desire to find a way to monetize her extensive knowledge of childcare. She questioned whether she could transform her accumulated data and expertise into a viable product, despite the limitations of physical labor. The answer, she found, lay in AI-powered matching services.
Lee is currently operating out of a startup incubator space provided by the Women’s Enterprise Support Center in Suwon. She has even filed for a patent, aided by her newfound AI skills. According to Lee, AI has not only provided a financial lifeline but has also expanded her professional horizons.
Lee’s story reflects a growing trend of senior citizens embracing technology to navigate modern economic realities. She believes that the AI era may be a blessing for older generations, offering opportunities for continued engagement and income generation. Lee’s experience suggests that age is not a barrier to innovation, and that accumulated expertise can be powerfully combined with emerging technologies.
Lee recently gave lectures to kindergarten teachers and principals before her retirement, as reported by the JoongAng Ilbo. She is now applying that teaching experience to a new field, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning and professional adaptation.
The 1세대 한복 디자이너 이리자 (본명 이은임)씨, a designer of traditional Korean clothing, also shared the name Lee Eun-im, but is a separate individual, according to reports from the Chosun Ilbo and Daum. This Lee Eun-im passed away in 2020 after a career pioneering modern hanbok design.
