About
Hi. I'm Curt.
CPA. CFO. Former SBA Lender. Founder. Still Building.
After 40 years as a CPA and CFO, I retired at 61 facing the same question you might be asking: now what?
I built Retirepreneur to document what it actually looks like to turn decades of professional experience into income — in public, without a filter, at 64.
If you have 30+ years of experience, you already have the inventory. The question is how to package it.
A Little About Me
Life Outside the Work
My beautiful wife Shari Lee and I split our time between the sunny shores of New Smyrna Beach, FL, and the picturesque mountains of Blowing Rock, NC. We share our lives with our two goldendoodles, Charlie and Brodie, and are blessed with a big, loving family — four grown children and nine amazing grandkids.
Even in retirement, my curiosity and passion for learning keep me moving forward. I earned my Master of Science in Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida and graduated December 2025.
Read the Full Founder StoryProfessional Background
Business and Career
Curt Roese, CPA, Real Estate Broker — recently retired after a 40+ year career spanning Small Business Lending (SBA), Public Accounting, Finance, Real Estate Brokerage, Home Building, Sales, and Construction.
Westmont Homes — Former founder and co-owner of an award-winning custom home building company
Fountainhead — Former CFO of a large non-bank SBA lender, helping small businesses secure growth funding. Retired June 2023.
University of Florida — Pursued M.S. Entrepreneurship after retiring. Created Retirepreneur during his studies. Graduated December 2025.
Retirepreneur — Founder of a newsletter and platform supporting experienced professionals in their second-act business journey
Licenses, Designations and Education
Certified Public Accountant (CPA inactive — Ohio)
Real Estate Broker (Florida)
B.S. Accounting — University of Akron
M.S. Entrepreneurship — University of Florida (2025, 3.94 GPA)
Semi-finalist and Entrepreneurial Spirit Award — UF Big Idea Competition (2025)
Luby Microgrant Pitch Competition Winner — UF Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (2024)
What People Say
From Colleagues and Partners
W. Riley Allen, Esquire
"Curt has the innate entrepreneurial spirit you cannot teach. He is the epitome of the exceptionally personable, passionate, honest, and never to be dissuaded Energizer Bunny. Just as importantly, he has a very well-rounded perspective on life that is complemented by his love of family, music, and new challenges."
James Rahman, Westmont Homes
"I had the privilege of partnering with Curt on a home building venture. I owe an incredible debt of gratitude for the foundational input that Curt provided through our ten years of partnership. A brilliant tactical business mind and an even better human being, I highly recommend Curt for any business venture he may pursue."
Matt Greenberg, Esquire
"I worked very closely with Curt for several years and always found him to be very detailed and careful in his work, while always remaining extremely solutions oriented. He is friendly and approachable, with a knack for ensuring that all of those who worked with him were able to grasp the complex matters."
Follow the Build
For professionals 55+ who refuse to let retirement be the end of the story.
Once a month I write honestly about what I am building, what I am learning, and what the numbers actually look like. No frameworks. No theory. Just the real account of turning expertise into income at 64.
Still Building.
Curt Roese, CPA | Founder, Retirepreneur | M.S. Entrepreneurship, University of Florida