Event April 18th on St. Croix Mark AARP and SBA Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 1, 2013

CONTACT:

Denyce Singleton

AARP VI State Director

340-713-2002

dsingleton@aarp.org

Event April 18th on St. Croix Mark

AARP and SBA Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month

Highlights effort between SBA and AARP to promote entrepreneurship among individuals ages 50 and older

Christiansted, St. Croix, VI – On April 18, 2013, AARP Virgin Islands, is teaming up with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and will host an “encore entrepreneur” event on St. Croix.  The event will be held at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Training Center, Sion Farm, Christiansted, St. Croix from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

“AARP supports developing opportunities for older Americans to pursue entrepreneurship as a means to generate income, boost financial security and assist others in meeting needs,” said Denyce Singleton, AARP Virgin Islands State Director. “AARP creates real possibilities by connecting experienced workers with the practical information and guidance they need to start or grow a small business.”

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

Throughout this month April, AARP Virgin Islands, and other AARP state offices, SBA District Offices and SBA Resource Partners will host more than 150 events around the country.  Events will include speed mentoring, which allows mentors and entrepreneurs to share information for five-minute sessions, and mentor lunches for entrepreneurs to learn best practices from successful small business owners.  For an interactive map of events nationwide, go to www.aarp.org/startabusiness. Small business ownership is a good option for many baby boomers. One in four individuals ages 44 to 70 is interested in becoming an entrepreneur and 63 percent of Americans plan to work during retirement, according to the website www.encore.org.  “We are looking forward to a great event with sizeable audience participation” said Carl C. Christensen, Senior Area Manager, USVI Branch at SBA.

AARP and SBA are also producing two webinars this month to help current and potential entrepreneurs.  For more information, and to register, visit www.aarp.org/startabusiness.   You may also go online to www.sba.gov/encore  for other resources available for entrepreneurs over the age of 50.  Register for the local event via phone 1-877-926-8300 or online by going to: http://aarp.cvent.com/VIsbamentorSTX . Be sure to Like our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/aarpvi   and Follow us Twitter  https://twitter.com/AARPVI  ¿Se habla español? Síganos en Twitter en Español https://twitter.com/AARPVIEsp . Use the following hashtag (#) to join the SBA Mentor Month conversation via Twitter: #aarpvisbamentor (same in Spanish).

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www. aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.            

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