Free Events for Wannabe Entrepreneurs in Henrico County and Hampton

   Workshops to promote entrepreneurship among individuals ages 50 and older

 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host  “encore entrepreneur” events on December 3 in Richmond and December 4 in Hampton focusing on people who are considering starting a business as a second career. 

 “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 AARP Virginia State President Bob Blancato.  “AARP creates real possibilities by connecting experienced workers with the practical information and guidance they need to start or grow a small business.”

 The Richmond event will be held from 9:30 – 11 a.m. December 3 at the Tuckahoe Public Library, 1901 Starling Drive, Henrico. Register for event online at http://aarp.cvent.com/EncoreEntrepreneurHenricoVA or call 1-877-926-8300.

 The Hampton event will be held from 9:30 – 11 a.m. December 4 in the Veterans Conference Room of the Ruppert L. Sargent Administration Building, One Franklin Street, Hampton.  Register for the event online at http://aarp.cvent.com/EncoreEntrepreneurHamptonVA or call 1-877-926-8300.

 “Many new entrepreneurs are saving their best acts for their encore performance,” said SBA Acting Administrator Jeanne A. Hulit.  “They’re using their decades of expertise and their rolodexes to start new businesses and to finally pursue that venture that has been stirring their dreams for all these years. We are focusing our efforts during to help transform those dreams into reality.”

 AARP and SBA provide a range of resources to more than 100,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners over the age of 50.  The workshops will help connect encore entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in becoming one, with mentors such as those from SBA’s network of Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and SCORE chapters who can help throughout the life of an entrepreneur’s business.

 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 http://www.encore.org/. 

 For more information 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.