I’ve been there. I owned my own business. An Alaska fishing lodge that was struggling because of fishery closures but I still had to make the payments and feed 5 kids.
When I went looking for work I let no-one know what I actually did. Got a grunt level construction job (labor). I was 40 and everyone assumed I was some loser.Their words) Who cares. It payed some bills and helped me to save my business.
I have yet to find a job in my state where they don't ask about prior work experience and ask for references. How did you get around that? Given that I'm in my 50's I can't imagine claiming that I have no prior work experience and it doesn't matter. I'm not much concerned with people's opinions though.