Thinking of Starting a New Business After 50?

If you’ve ever thought of starting a new small business or expanding an existing one after age 50, you are not alone.

In fact, about 13 percent of current wage and salary workers say they plan to start a new business once they retire, according to a recent AARP survey.

But this process can be confusing, frustrating, risky and downright scary. Sometimes just trying to figure out how and where to get started is the biggest part of the battle.

That’s where we can help.

AARP Wisconsin and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are teaming up to hold “Encore Entrepreneur” mentoring events on June 16 in Wausau and June 18 in Milwaukee.

The events, which are open to AARP members and non-members, are designed to provide counseling, mentoring and training for those aged 50 and older who would like to start or grow a small business. While both events are free, seating is limited and early registration is encouraged.

If you are unable to attend either one of these free events, you can access many of the same tools, resources and mentoring information that will be shared at these meetings by checking out AARP’s “Start a Business” webpage.

We know that many older Americans pursue entrepreneurship as a way to generate income and strengthen financial security. For many of these workers, it is also a way to turn a hobby or passion into a paycheck.

Our goal is simply to connect experienced workers with the resources and guidance they need to start or grow a small business. The events will help connect attendees 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.

Working with mentors has been proven to help businesses generate more revenues, hire more employees, and stay in business longer.