BoomerPreneurs - Table of Contents

Introduction

• What You Will Take Away
• My Story
• How This Book Is Organized

Step 1 What Should Baby Boomers Consider Before Starting a Business?

• Chapter 1 Return, Retire or Reinvent
  • Return, Retire, Reinvent - Which Is It?
    • Social Security and Insurance
    • Leisure-Work Balance
    • Attachment to Work
    • Financial Requisites
  • Work and Baby Boomers
    • The Self-Employment Option
    • Is Now a Good Time to Start a Business?
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Bill Vanderberghe, Fox Hill Farm Leather

• Chapter 2 Boomer's Health, Self and Wealth
  • Boomers - Can You Relate?
    • Boomer Health
      • Health’s Impacts on Business Selection
    • Self-concept
    • Boomer Wealth
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Elizabeth Erlandson, Licorice Internationale

• Chapter 3 Why Do Boomers Start Businesses?
  • Long-Term Dream
  • Income Stream
  • Fear
  • Financial Distress
  • Boredom
  • Giving Back
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Kathy Dibben, Absolute Dignity

• Chapter 4 What Businesses Are Boomers Starting?
  • Work Experience and Type of Business
  • Motivation and Type of Business
  • Other Considerations
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Susie Davidson, Beyond Borders, Inc.

• Chapter 5 Caveats for Starting a Business at 50-Plus Years of Age
  • Financial Risks—How to Reduce Them
  • The Impact of Your Health on Your Business, and Vice Versa
  • Addressing Experience Gaps
    • Work in the Field
    • Volunteer Your Services
    • Develop New Skills
    • Expand Your Network
    • Other Steps to Improve the Odds of Success
  • Step 1 Conclusion: What Should Baby Boomers Consider Before Starting a Business?
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Delena Stout, Brookside Barkery and Bath

Step 2 Recognize the Opportunity That's Right for You

• Chapter 6 What Makes a Business Right for You?
  • Your One Thing
  • Personal and Professional Goals and Dreams
  • Financial Goals
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Jim Lee, Hypnosis for Healing

• Chapter 7 What Do You Bring to the Table?
  • Acres of Diamonds
    • Work Experience
    • Skills and Talents
    • Hobbies and Interests
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Dave Polny, 190 SL Services

• Chapter 8 What About Your Entrepreneurial Acumen?
  • What It Takes
    • Entrepreneurial Characteristics
    • Entrepreneurial Skills
  • Strengthening Weaknesses
  • Networking—It’s Who You Know
  • Featured Entrepreneur: James Sheehan, Schoolfinances.com, Inc.

• Chapter 9 What the Marketplace Tells You
  • A Winning Business Idea
    • Identify a Marketplace Need
    • A Dash of Creativity
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Cynthia Foster, Venice Beach Eco Cottages

• Chapter 10 Timing Is Everything
  • Trends - Catch the Wave
    • Finding Information On Trends
    • Demographic Trends
    • Technology Trends
    • Economic Trends
    • Social Trends
  • Product/Service Life Cycle
  • Step 2 Conclusion: Recognize the Opportunity
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Terry Boguski, Harmony Environment LLC

Step 3 Refine Your Idea and Do Your Research

• Chapter 11 From Fuzzy to Finite
  • What Will You Sell?
    • What Winners Can Tell You
  • Who Will Buy From You—Target Markets
  • Bootstrap Marketing Your Products/Services
  • Generational Marketing
  • Why Will Customers Buy From You - Basis for a Competitive Advantage
    • Business Strengths
    • Intellectual Property
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Charlie Adams, Belmont Events and Bed and Breakfast

• Chapter 12 Test Your Idea
  • Real-World Reactions
  • Your Elevator Pitch
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Blondell McNair, Blondell's Fashion Gallery

• Chapter 13 Find the Answers
  • Ask People
  • Use Secondary Sources
  • Plan Your Research
  • Test the Waters
  • Step 3 Conclusion: Your Business Concept
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Paul Coakley, Andover Associates

Step 4 Determine if Your Idea is Viable and Get Started

• Chapter 14 Five Litmus Tests for Determining Feasibility
  • Feasibility Analysis
    • Personal Feasibility
    • Technical Feasibility
    • Management Feasibility
    • Market Feasibility
    • Financial Feasibility
  • Will It Work?
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Gary Duncan, Frameworks Gifts and Interiors

• Chapter 15 Planning for Success
  • Abbreviated Business Plan
    • Executive Summary
    • Business/Product Description
    • Management/Organization Overview
    • Marketing Overview
    • Financial Plan
  • Traditional Business Plan
  • Featured Entrepreneur: Joe Padavic, Teardrop Video

• Chapter 16 Getting Started—First Steps
  • Build the Network You Need
    • Who Are Your First Customers?
  • Start-Up Checklist
  • Sources of Help
    • Advisory Board
    • SCORE and the SBDC
    • CPAs, Attorneys, Consultants
  • Step 4 Conclusion: Prepare Your Plan and Take Action
  • Featured Entrepreneur: YOU

• Appendix