SBA and AARP Host Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Day
Release Date: April 21, 2014 Contacts: Ahmad Goree (817) 684-5539
Release Number: 04-14 Internet Address: www.sba.gov/news
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SBA and AARP Host Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Day
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – The U.S. Small Business Administration and AARP are teaming up to host Encore Entrepreneur Mini Fairs targeted at entrepreneurs over the age of 50. Building on the success of past joint SBA and AARP Mentor Days, the two organizations will match “encore entrepreneurs” with successful business owners and community leaders for advice and assistance.
The SBA Dallas-Fort Worth district office will host two Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Day Mini Fairs. The first is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 at Bill Priest Center, 1402 Corinth Street, Suite 1532, Dallas, TX , Conference Room from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The second fair will be held Friday, April 25 at Tarrant County College Haltom City Northeast Center, 3201 Friendly Lane, Haltom City, TX , 76117, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
To register, call 817-684-5500 or email Arlene.Brown@sba.gov.
“These mini fairs will provide valuable information on the resources available to help these potential entrepreneurs start or grow a business” said Herbert Austin, SBA district director. The events include speed mentoring, which allows mentors and entrepreneurs to share information for five-minute sessions, and mentor lunches where entrepreneurs can hear best practices from successful small business owners
These mini fairs are 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.
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.
AhmadGoree
U.S. Small Business Administration
817-684-5539
202-481-4948 fax
http://www.sba.gov
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