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Entreprenuers Know No Age Limits
As America’s 77 million baby boomers begin contemplating retirement, many are finding that slowing down is the last thing they want to do. Indeed, they’re seeking outlets for their experience, energy, and drive that will be personally and financially rewarding, while also providing the flexibility and direction they might not have enjoyed during their previous careers.
Sound a lot like owning a small business? It should.
As with entrepreneurship at any other age, a boomer’s entrepreneurial direction has many influences, such as interests, knowledge, location, financial resources, and personality.
Fortunately, there’s a growing range of resources designed to help boomers pursue second careers as entrepreneurs.
SCORE has compiled a comprehensive list of resource links for 50-plus entrepreneurs at http://www.score.org/resources_50plus.html.
Another multifaceted information resource is All Business at www.allbusiness.com, an online service that helps address real-world business questions and presents practical solutions. All Business provides articles and directories for aspiring small business owners, as well as a section dedicated to analyzing boomer marketing and demographic trends.
Mature Resources at www.matureresources.org, an online magazine that covers a wide range of issues related to aging, contains a business section with articles related to over-50 entrepreneurs, as well as a business directory.
Marketing consultant Andrea J. Stenberg has created the baby boomer entrepreneur blog at www.thebabyboomerentrepreneur.com, which provides small business marketing strategies and motivation aimed at aspiring 40-plus entrepreneurs build new businesses.
For women eyeing a post-retirement career in small business, the TIP$, or Turning Ideas into Profits, Mid-Life Women’s Business Community offers free information, tools, support and networking opportunities. The website is www.tipscommunity.com.
Entrepreneurs of any age can profit from experience, which is why they should contact SCORE Rochester. Seasoned, volunteer business counselors stand ready to provide free, confidential business counseling to existing or aspiring small business owners. Call (585) 263-6473 or visit www.scorerochester.org.