Common Obstacles for Senior Entrepreneurs
Senior entrepreneurs often begin their online journey out of necessity. Perhaps they involuntarily lost their jobs through no fault of their own or had to retire on a savings that’s totally inadequate for today’s cost of living.
There are certain challenges in building a business on the ‘net that are unique to some seniors. One problem is that many seniors don’t know or understand the intricacies of the new computer technology. They may flounder or become discouraged as they try to learn.
One danger of trying to learn the new technology is trying to do too much – too fast. It takes time to learn even the basics of a computer and how the Internet works. Starting a business can be a scary transition from working for someone to working for yourself and when you have the added obstacle of learning a new technology, it can be very daunting.
Luckily, starting a business on the ‘net doesn’t require breaking the bank with startup costs. If you have a computer and access to the Internet, you’re already well on your way to gaining the business acumen you’ll need.
Websites and other types of help exist that promote senior entrepreneurial activities and offer solutions to any and all problems seniors may face. At first, seniors are intimidated by all they have to learn to become an online entrepreneur.
They’re afraid they may not have the mental prowess, business acumen or energy to make an online business work. They also don’t want to take on financial burdens and run a risk of losing their savings.
Most media stories tend to focus on younger entrepreneurs such as guru, Mark Zuckerberg, who became a young billionaire by introducing Facebook – a socializing network used the world over.
But, there are plenty of senior entrepreneurs who have been enormously successful with startup businesses. At the very least, seniors can easily supplement their retirement income and live a better lifestyle than before the Internet made it possible to become successful with home-based businesses.
It’s a fact that age isn’t a factor in Internet startup businesses. If you have the passion and can make a commitment to learn and utilize all that computers and the Internet has to offer, you can profit during financially tough times.
Don’t be content to waste the best years of your life living a financially strapped and lackadaisical lifestyle. Shakespeare wrote, “Leisure is a fine garment for a day, but is horrible daily attire.” Learn how the Internet can help make you into a senior entrepreneur.
Embracing a Can Do Mindset as a Senior Entrepreneur
It’s easy for seniors to get into a negative mindset that prevents them from keeping up with the world, getting things done and enjoying life to the fullest. They may think they’re too tired, too old or just don’t have the skills necessary to embrace a can do mindset.
Retirement sometimes makes couch potatoes of seniors who can still make a difference, but are afraid to try. It’s true this is a fast-changing world and new skills are necessary to do almost anything – for the young or the old.
Most seniors today find it difficult to make ends meet – even after a lifetime of saving money. Pinching pennies wasn’t what they had in mind for their retirement years, yet it’s the way most seniors live.
That can be depressing and limiting. Fortunately, today there are ways seniors can begin new careers and learn new skills to make their lives better. But before you can take advantage of these new opportunities, you have to develop the right mindset.
To get yourself in the right mindset to become a senior entrepreneur, do some research and find out what you have to know to begin a startup online business. Don’t worry if you’re overwhelmed with information.
Narrow it down as you go to skills you could learn or perhaps already know and decide how you could turn a passion into a profit. By the end of your research period, you’ll likely be enthused about the possibilities that exist on the Internet.
If you’re short on computer skills, you may want to think about joining an online help group or taking a class at your local college. Keep negative thoughts at bay by chatting with other seniors online.
Social media is a great way to foster friendships and find others who are in the same boat as you. Stay away from negative people or those who tell you it will never work. You’re never too old to change your mindset and you may have to bend a little to wrap your mind around starting a new business and learning skills you never thought about.
But, the quality of the rest of your life will be determined by the decisions you’re making now. Don’t label yourself by your age – or call yourself old. Envision yourself as an entrepreneur who is reinventing him-or her-self and find and do what you need to develop skills which will lead you to success.
The world is changing rapidly and you should embrace all of the good things those changes have to offer.
How Senior Couples Can Embark on a Family Business After Retirement
Retired couples are finding that the Internet can provide ways to embark on a family business plan they can be proud of and that will leave a legacy for their kids and grandkids that they may not have been able to accomplish in previous years.
Rather than devote their time to playing golf or lying around all day, couples are opting to build online businesses that can help them supplement their retirement incomes. This may occur out of necessity (didn’t save enough for retirement) or to provide them with luxuries such as travel income.
Starting a new business can be daunting, but by building a business on the Internet, the startup costs are next to nothing and both can work at something that reflects their interests and time constraints.
Senior couples thinking about starting an Internet marketing business should consider their acquired skills, hobbies they’ve honed and how they can share their knowledge with others.
Digital publishing and coaching skills are two of the major job markets on the ‘net and seniors are ripe to take advantage of them. The couple has existing knowledge that can be used immediately and that gives them time and ability to devote their efforts to learning how to run an online business.
Some couples are opting to build a family legacy together by forming one business and others choose to build separate niches. Whatever method they choose to build a family business, they can work together to brainstorm ideas and gather knowledge.
Working from home is also a plus for developing an online business. Many seniors don’t have the flexibility of commuting to a job – and being part of today’s traffic problem in most areas isn’t what they dreamed of in their retirement years.
A small portion of a senior couple’s home can be set aside for office space and even deducted from taxes if needed at the end of the year. Equipment and services such as computers and applications may also be counted as deductions for your business income.
When senior couples harness the incredible power of the Internet, they’re able to reach customers on a worldwide basis rather than opening an offline business which may depend on passersby or word-of-mouth.
Research online to find a niche that would be good for a couple with similar interests and skills. Or, you may or choose to embark on an individual business if you have varying skills.
Developing an online business is one of the best ways for couples to supplement incomes during retirement years and you can then leave it to your children as part of your estate.
Looking for Something to Fill Your Time? Try Online Marketing!
Seniors who are bored and tired of retirement often turn to starting a new business as a way to keep happy and busy. Unfortunately, startup costs of offline businesses can be astronomical and most seniors are afraid to sink their retirement income into a business that might fail.
That’s why more seniors are turning to online businesses to fill their time, make extra income, learn new things and make friends. Seniors have years of experience they can put into use in online marketing – for very little startup costs.
The only thing you need to begin an online business is a computer and Internet connection. There may also be some added costs for a domain and hosting, but they’re nominal and easily affordable.
It also helps to have a basic knowledge of computers and the ‘net, but if you have the determination to learn, it won’t take long to maneuver your way along the web. Starting an online business can be stimulating and enjoyable, keeping your brain active and sharp.
Studies show that those seniors who engage in activities on the Internet are more likely to experience improved mental health, better nutritional and exercise habits and feelings of well-being.
Many seniors feel confined to their surroundings. Perhaps they no longer drive a car or socialize at the same level they once did. And those who have lost a spouse or are alone are much more apt to feel trapped.
The Internet can literally bring the world into your home and even relationships into your life. Seniors may resist changes, such as learning to use the Internet, but when they discover the benefits it can bring into their lives they’re much more open to learn.
Learning Internet marketing may help socially and financially to bring an entirely new lifestyle into their world. Choosing Internet marketing to build a successful business and fill your time means that you’ll learn various social networking methods such as Facebook and how to communicate with emails.
The world of sharing photos and information with others can open widely for seniors willing to commit to learn how to use the Internet and all that it has to offer. Being able to communicate with friends and family members they may no longer see as often can have an enormously positive influence on seniors’ lives and well-being. If you’re a senior and looking for a positive way to fill your time, check out Internet marketing as a second career and way to supplement your income.
Baby Boomers Love the Freedom That Comes with Being an Online Entrepreneur
Baby boomers are unique in history. Most are refusing to retire like their ancestors – accepting the gold watch and then reclining in a chair for the rest of their lives. Boomers are active, both mentally and physically, and are leaving their own footprints on the world.
Best of all, boomers are enjoying the innate freedom that comes from being an online entrepreneur. At approximately 80 million (and growing), boomers are meeting their retirement years with entrepreneurial mindsets.
They’re using the computer and the ‘net to restart their lives and supplement their incomes. The freedom they enjoy stems from having more time to devote to other pursuits besides work and focusing on making money for their retirement.
Instead, they’re making money and concentrating on building businesses that they can be proud of and learn from. These new retirees are used to making an impact on the world in which they live and now they’re redefining retirement by becoming successful online entrepreneurs.
They’re enjoying the traveling and setting their own hours that being an online entrepreneur affords them and also realizing a life-long desire of owning their own businesses.
Most boomers are completely comfortable with computers and the Internet, which gives them a huge advantage in starting an online business. As past employees of various companies that use computers, they’ve learned and honed the skills necessary to make money online and share their knowledge rather than having it go to waste.
Boomers no longer have to risk their life savings to open a shop or spend a wealth of money on the knowledge and skills they need to begin a business. What they know now will see them comfortably through their retirement years if they use that knowledge wisely.
Building and nurturing online businesses also boost the boomers’ enthusiasm for life and excitement about owning their own businesses and supplementing their retirement incomes enough to enjoy their retirement years rather than dread them.
Information exists to help the new online entrepreneur overcome hurdles and gather knowledge about starting an online business. Make sure you double check any information and beware of online scams that offer immediate success.
Financial growth, security and the freedom to set your own hours and determine your own wealth are just some of the reasons that baby boomers are flocking to the Internet to become online entrepreneurs.