AARP and the U.S. Small Business Administration will team up again during National Small Business Week to honor the contributions of the nation’s small businesses, and to provide business startup advice for “encore entrepreneurs,” those over the age of 50.
SBA Administrator Karen Mills and AARP President Robert Romasco will have an armchair discussion at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas, to share the tips, advice and resources available to those over age 50 who want to start or grow a small business. It is one of four National Small Business Week events being held throughout the United States June 17-21, 2013.
Romasco serves as AARP’s principal volunteer spokesman, representing the association to its members and the public. His professional career includes tenure as senior vice president of customer, distribution and new business development for QVC, Inc., executive vice president and chief marketing officer for CIGNA, Inc., and president and chief executive officer, J.C. Penney Insurance.
SBA and AARP joined forces last year to reach out to baby boomers and provide training and mentoring services for older entrepreneurs to start or grow their small businesses and create jobs.
The two organizations expect to counsel 100,000 encore entrepreneurs, and recently held National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month in April to train men and women over 50 who are starting or running a small business. More than 100 events and webinars were held in April, reaching almost 16,000 people. To date, the SBA/AARP alliance has reached almost 50,000 current and aspiring 50+ entrepreneurs with counseling and training programs.
For more than 70 million Americans over 50, business ownership is a practical option. One in four individuals ages 44 to 70 are interested in becoming an entrepreneur and 63 percent of Americans plan to work during retirement.
“We have seen great success during our mentor events partnered with AARP, and the 50+ entrepreneur and small business owner sector is continuing to strengthen and grow with continuing initiatives,” said Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Natalia Olson-Urtecho.
SBA developed a 50+ toolkit, at www.sba.gov/encore, that includes an online self-assessment and other 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. AARP resources can be found at www.aarp.org/startabusiness.
To attend National Small Business Week events in the Dallas area, participants can register online at 2013nsbwdallas.eventbrite.com.
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Every year since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight through National Small Business Week the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. This year’s events will be held
June 16-21, in Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. offering tips, tools and trainings for small businesses to start, succeed and grow. In addition to in-person events, small business owners can participate in online-only panel discussions on hot topics like social media and business financing starting daily at 4pm ET. All events, in-person and online, will be streamed live on www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek. Also visit this site for a full schedule of events and additional information. The event hashtag is #SBW2013.
