Many Boomers are stirring up cookies during these days before Christmas.  They may be making them with grandchildren, by themselves, or for cookie exchanges.
Cookie making usually brings back memories of these sessions in our childhood, with our children, with community groups, or with the entire family.  We may pull out recipes used throughout the generations.  We may try new recipes.
All of these activities create memories, especially if you take photos to accompany the cookie making sessions.  One of my favorite photos shows my then 2-year old daughter and me making cookies at the kitchen table.
So…why not start a Christmas Cookie Journal with …read more

Sometimes our businesses don’t get off the ground floor too quickly, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continually prepare and draw upon all our experiences as we take steps forward.  I have a dream of compiling a book of my poetry.  Some poems have been published and others are still in my notebook.
I also enjoy teaching writing and poetry to youngsters and adults.  I feel I can utilize this poetry book as a teaching tool.  (I also would like to publish a book of my grandfather’s poems, some of which have appeared in publications, but not all together.)
However, as with …read more

If you’re considering supplementing your retirement, or income if you still have a job, by developing your own small business, here are 13  to think about.  They may be home businesses or those operated in a store front.
Of course, those which you begin or operate entirely from your home won’t have the overhead that a store front entails.  Some of these may involve equipment that you don’t have on hand.  Also, you may have to look into permits, licenses, and insurances. 

Developing a hobby into a business
Selling a product or service over the Internet
Pet sitting
Skincare and make-up consultant
Party planning
Lawn and garden care …read more

When I wrote the post, Draw Upon Your Talents for Your Boomer Business, Laurie Neumann, of Christian Home  Business Connection,  commented: 
I think it is important to think about your interests and what kind of business could be started from there. It’s also important to research and see if there is a market out there looking for what you want to offer and willing to pay for it.
It can be great fun (and challenging!) to start your own home based business. By choosing something that really fits you, you can have a great business for years to come.
Laurie is correct.  In …read more

Where do Boomers find ideas for small businesses, either those they operate from their home or from a location outside the home?  What can you do that doesn’t involve a great deal of expense?

Draw upon your talents and interests:
Quilters might start giving lessons and selling their wares.
Knitters could do the same.  Or they might open a small shop of supplies.
Writers could go in a variety of directions…blogging, writing a book, giving talks and lessons involving writing.
Carpenters could scale down from a big business and do mainly small scale repairs they could handle themselves.
Become a consultant in your field of expertise.
Get …read more

Baby boomers should write down their memories for their children, grandchildren and future generations.  Some of us may have memories of attending one-room schools that will seem so unique to today’s children.  If we don’t write them down, send them to publications, include them in a blog or book, part of history (ours and our culture’s) will be lost.
This even can be an aspect of a small business for boomers…writing family memories, teaching it, and ghost writing for others.  I’ve been teaching classes in Writing Your Family Stories and having a great time sharing mine and showing others how to compile …read more

Almost everyone, when they begin a small business, want instant success.  This would be the ideal situation…having your business take off profitably from the start with no challenges nor setbacks.  However, the ideal doesn’t usually work out in life, although there are some exceptions.
For some people, success comes sooner because:

They’ve given more thought to planning their business before starting
They have more investment capital of their own
They have business knowledge
They have a product or service that appeals in today’s market (often because of their previous research)
They are willing to put in hours and hours of work themselves
They get advice and try …read more

As boomers discover it more difficult to find jobs, how can they determine whether they should try starting a small business?  How can they beat the odds in an economic downturn?
Find a need and fill it as the mom did who makes reusable lunch bags to eliminate the need for so many disposable sandwich bags.
Is pet sitting a possibility?  I heard someone else mentioning that it was hard to go on a trip because it was so expensive to leave their pets at a kennel. 
Is there a need in your area for companions for the elderly?  Two friends were discussing …read more

Many boomers have sewing talents they may wish to turn into income producing ventures, whether full time or parttime.  This can include dressmaking and alterations, quiltmaking, fabric art, making curtains and draperies, doing upholstering and more.
I operated a dressmaking and alterations business for a number of years that evolved into a quiltmaking business.  These enabled me to be at home when our daughter was small. 
At Home Biz Notes, I’m writing a series, with tips on operating these businesses, that you might like to follow.  The tips also will apply to many arts and crafts businesses as well.
Let me know what …read more

In the course of developing a small or home business, many opportunities may come about.  They’re not necessarily all at the same time. 

Some business ideas grow out of a hobby.
Some may be a venture you explore with a partner
Some may be a new idea with low initial expenditure
Others may develop over the years as your circumstances change

Do you think an entrepreneur should follow one path of business regardless of circumstances, pursue it and hope you’ll experience success?
Do you think an entrepreneur should be aware of changing times and circumstances and be willing to change as necessary?
(Image: sxc.hu)