Wednesday, April 03, 2013
SBA and AARP Host Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month in April with Events around the Country
The U.S. Small Business Administration and AARP
are teaming up to host National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month
targeted at entrepreneurs over the age of 50. Building on the success of
a joint SBA and AARP Mentor Day
in October, the two organizations will match “encore entrepreneurs”
with successful business owners and community leaders for advice and
assistance. To find a local event near you go to
www.sba.gov/mentormonth.
Throughout April, SBA District Offices, state AARP
Offices and SBA Resource Partners will host more than 100 events around
the country. Events 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.
“Many new entrepreneurs are saving their best acts
for their encore performance,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.
“They’re using their decades of expertise and their contacts to start
new businesses and to finally pursue that venture
that has been stirring their dreams for all these years. The SBA and
the AARP are once again focusing our efforts during Encore
Entrepreneurship Mentor Month to help transform those dreams into a
successful reality.”
“SBA and AARP’s partnership for an April Encore
Entrepreneur Mentor Month is commitment to providing individuals aged 50
and older with the training, tools, and knowledge to empower them as
small business owners and job creators,” said
Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Natalia Olson-Urtecho. “This month
will give the opportunity to reach out to entrepreneurs and small
business owners across our region to familiarize them with the resources
provided by the SBA and AARP that will allow them
to start and grow a business.”
Mentor Month is part of a larger effort by SBA and
AARP to provide a range of resources to more than 100,000 entrepreneurs
and small business owners over the age of 50 this year. The events will
help connect encore entrepreneurs 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.
“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 Jean Setzfand, AARP Vice President,
Financial Security. “AARP creates real possibilities by connecting experienced
workers with the practical information and guidance they need to start or grow
a small business.”
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.
Small business ownership is a good option for many baby boomers. Small
business owners who get long-term counseling may see bigger sales, hire
more workers and have more longevity. SBA and AARP will provide
training and mentoring services to older entrepreneurs to help them
successfully start and grow businesses and create jobs.
SBA developed a 50+ toolkit that includes free
online courses targeted at helping encore entrepreneurs start or grow
their businesses. The training courses include profiles of successful
entrepreneurs, recommended action steps, and information
on licensing and financing. Go online to www.sba.gov/encore
for the toolkit and other resources available for entrepreneurs over
the age of 50. AARP and SBA are also producing two webinars in April to
help current
and potential entrepreneurs. For more information, and to register,
visit
www.aarp.org/startabusiness.
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