Over 50 or past retirement? Why not start up a business?

The old maxim "It's never too late" is more true today than ever before. Whereas in days gone by, it was often assumed that you were over the hill at 50 plus but now we all know that this is very far from the truth! Indeed as Alan Sugar has pointed out "Some people think that when you get past a certain age of 50 that it's all over. Well, they're wrong, they're totally wrong."

Today with the enormous potential of the Internet it seems that there is a wealth of unlimited information and opportunities for the "seniorpreneur". Not to mention some great sites where you can find help and support with your new venture.

One such useful resource is www.primebusinessclub.co.uk which is directed especially at the over 50s who are starting or running their own business in the UK. Partly funded by the Equal Diversity in Practice project and in turn funded by The European Social Fund, this is a valuable networking and advisory resource for those over 50s, over 60s and even in some cases over 70s and beyond who are making a go of it on their own.

The Equal project is also committed to encouraging the employment and retention of older people in the workforce generally. As Garry Stephenson of SkyHiFotos.co.uk says: "At 55 it's very difficult to get a job unless you want to be stacking shelves at Tesco or Asda. That's not what I am. I was already thinking I could be doing something in photography. But when the redundancy came along it pushed me into it faster." Garry obtained advice on setting up his business from the Institute for Innovation and Enterprise, based at Wolverhampton University.

Prime business club is also dedicated to providing free books for would-be 'seniorpreneurs'. One free downloadable book presently available from their site is an 80-page workbook and there are also two Excel worksheets which you can use as a planning tool for your new enterprise. This guide will help you look at what is involved in starting up on your own venture. You can still do it even if you haven't got Excel on your computer - just open a free Google account which gives you a free spreadsheet program!

Unfortunately age discrimination is very much alive and it is only with the enthusiasm and enterprise of those who are 50 plus and 60 plus or past retirement that will successfully combat the current prejudice against older members in the workforce. Ageism out!

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