About Stephen Groner – Retirement Lifestyle & Side Hustles

image - Stephen Groner

How It All Began

I was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, during a time when life felt simpler and more connected. Raised in a middle-class neighborhood on the side of Missionary Ridge, looking across town at Lookout, Elder, and Signal Mountains on the other side. The town was steeped in Civil War history, and those early years instilled in me a deep love of American history, a strong work ethic, and the importance of family and community.

After graduating in the top 10% of my class — and as one of the highest ranked with honors from Castle Heights Military Academy — I entered the workforce ready to make my mark.

My Career Journey

For 40 years, I built my career in automotive sales and management — spending 39 of those 40 years in management roles. I worked for some of the largest and most respected dealerships in the region, where I was mentored and trained by highly accomplished and successful dealers who shaped the professional I became.

I spent the final 12 years of my career as Pre-owned Sales Manager at Claude Nolan Cadillac — one of the nation’s oldest Cadillac dealerships — where I was part of a team that earned the #1 volume Cadillac dealer ranking in our market and where I earned consecutive Cadillac Mark of Excellence Awards. I loved the work, the people, and the challenge of leading a sales team to maximum results.

When retirement finally arrived, I didn’t slow down — I redirected.

My Journey to Retirement Side Hustles

Like many retirees, I quickly realized that my retirement savings alone weren’t enough to sustain the lifestyle I had built over four decades. That realization became a driving force behind my search for creative, flexible ways to supplement my income while maintaining the freedom retirement is supposed to provide.

That search led me to the world of retirement side hustles — and eventually to KDP publishing. Under my Stephen Groner imprint, I write practical books on retirement lifestyle, side hustles, and faith-based encouragement. Under Carroll Creek Publishing, I create puzzle books, coloring books, activity books, journals, and more. Combined, I have now published more than 142 books — and I’m just getting started.

Whether it was leveraging years of experience, turning new interests into income streams, or exploring the possibilities of the digital world, I discovered that retirement can be one of the most productive and fulfilling chapters of life — if you approach it with the right mindset and the right tools.

My Faith and Values

I am a committed Christian, and my faith is the foundation of everything I do. It shapes how I treat people, how I approach challenges, and why I write the books I write. Whether I am encouraging a fellow retiree to take a leap of faith on a new side hustle or writing a Christian title about trusting God in uncertain times, my faith is always present.

I am also a proud American. I love this country deeply — its history, its founding principles, and the remarkable people who have sacrificed to preserve our freedom. That love of country and history runs through everything from the quotes I share to the values I bring to my work every day

Why I Created This Website

I created stephengroner.com to be a practical, honest resource for retirees who are looking for real ways to earn extra income and make the most of their retirement years. My mission is to help you:

  • Discover side hustle ideas that match your skills, passions, and lifestyle.
  • Find low-stress opportunities that are easy to manage and fit your schedule.
  • Gain the financial freedom to enjoy your retirement on your terms.

Whether you are interested in online publishing, freelancing, creative pursuits, or property-based income strategies, this website is designed to give you actionable tips, real-world experience, and the tools you need to get started.

What You’ll Find Here

On this website, you’ll find:

  • 220+ Articles covering retirement lifestyle, side hustles, health and wellness, travel, technology for retirees, and mindset.
  • My Books — browse titles from both the Stephen Groner and Carroll Creek Publishing imprints, all available on Amazon.
  • Step-by-Step Guides to help you launch your retirement side hustle with confidence.
  • A Free 10-Step Retirement Side Hustle Checklist to help you find the right opportunity for your skills, schedule, and goals.

I’ve dedicated myself to building this community to ensure that retirees like you have access to the knowledge and support you need to succeed.

Let’s Connect

Retirement is a journey, and I’m here to help you navigate it. If you’re ready to explore new opportunities or simply want to share your story, I’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can turn your retirement dreams into reality. Let’s make this chapter of your life the most fulfilling yet.

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