AARP and SBA Offer Free Event in Springfield

HOW TO GROW OR START YOUR OWN BUSINESS

AARP and SBA promote entrepreneurship among Bay State residents ages 50 and older

SPRINGFIELD – Looking for guidance on starting your own business? On Saturday, April 6, AARP Massachusetts and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host “How to Start or Grow Your Own Business” at Springfield Technical Community College.

AARP and SBA are teaming up to host National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month in April targeted at individuals over the age of 50 who want to start or grow their own business. Building on the success of a joint AARP and SBA Mentor Day last October, the two organizations will connect these “encore entrepreneurs” with successful business owners and community leaders for advice and assistance.

WHAT: How to Start or Grow Your Own Business

 WHO:

Michael E. Festa, state director, AARP Massachusetts

Oreste Varela, Springfield branch manager, Small Business Association

Ken Rivet, entrepreneur

Bharat Desai, SCORE counselor

Diane Rosenkrantz, senior consultant, Tenet Financial Group

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2013

Registration opens at 9:30am, Panel/Networking: 10-11:30am


WHERE: Springfield Technical Community College

Scibelli Hall, 7th Floor

One Armory Square, Springfield

REGISTER: This event is free, but registration is required. To reserve your seat, call 1-877-

926-8300 or register online: http://aarp.cvent.com/MASBASpringfield

WHY:  New research finds that one in four Americans between the ages of 44 and 70 are interested in starting their own business or nonprofit venture in the next five to 10 years.  And, nearly half of these aspiring entrepreneurs report that they want to start a business that provides personal meaning and has a positive social impact.

SBA and AARP entered into a strategic alliance in May 2012 to provide Americans over the age of 50 with the real-world, actionable information they need to start and grow small businesses.  Through this alliance, SBA and AARP have committed to jointly counsel, train or mentor over 100,000 new and existing “Encore Entrepreneurs” and give them the tools they need to succeed and create jobs.

Visit www.aarp.org/startabusiness for more information, including free webinars, resources and

more.

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