Small Business Boomers

As of the end of December, Small Business Boomers will be closing as b5media discontinues Bizzia and the business blogs.  I’ve been writing this blog for the past several months, continuing the work of Jean Murray.
I hope I’ve brought you helpful information about being a boomer and operating a small business.  It has been enjoyable blogging here and getting to know so many of my readers.  As with  many opportunities in life, there comes a time to go on to something else.
I shall be activating two business blogs I established at Blogger some time ago and will publish future business tips there so that my …read more

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In my substitute teaching world, I had a student ask me my favorite word.  I thought a moment, then said, “Happy.”  (She went on to ask my favorite color, number, and name and said she liked to ask questions.) However, later I wondered why I responded with “Happy.”  For the rest of the day I found myself trying to think “Happy,” whenever something challenging occurred.Our days, I’ve realized over the years, can be as happy or as miserable as we want to make them.  There are some things we can’t change.  There are some things that do make us sad and discouraged.  …read more

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Ford’s prediction seems to be that Baby Boomers will continue to want smaller vehicles, even if gas prices don’t increase and the economy improves.  Apparently Ford is betting some of its production and sales predictions on this.
Many Boomers now are empty nesters without the need for vans and larger vehicles.  As they face retirement, there may be a need to downsize.
Where do you stand on this?
Personally, I prefer something larger, usually an SUV.  For a number of reasons:
I feel safer.  We were in a serious accident several years ago and hit head on by a tractor trailer.  If we had been in a …read more

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Developing a brand or image for your business or yourself  has developed into an important aspect in promoting one’s business.  This consists of creating an image that people remember, or think of you when they see a picture or hear a phrase.
I’ve written about this at Home Biz Notes in How Are You Branding Yourself & Your Business?  You may want to take a look and start developing a plan, if you haven’t already.
If you do have a business branding plan, how about sharing what you’re doing?

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Dr. Jean Murray, former blogger here at Small Business Boomers, and now owner of Dr. Jean Means Business , writes a guest post for us today about keeping her business going during knee replacement surgery and recovery.
Like many other Baby Boomers, I have terrible knees. The word “bone on bone” was first told me by my internist a year or so ago, and it didn’t take long for me to decide I needed to get new knees.
At 62, I’m on the younger age of the knee replacement demographic (nice to be told, “You’re a little young for this,”).  But I figured,  “Why live …read more

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If the proposed Obamacare (Obama’s health care law) is passed, Boomers could be on their way to extinction.  According to Obama’s own words, pain pills should be dispensed rather than medical procedures that will prolong and improve the life of the elderly.
Boomers are gravitating into that category called “elderly” as they pass age 65.  The plan includes counseling on end of life procedures for Boomers rather than on medical ones to continue life if someone in an administrative position deems you unworthy to receive care. In other words, if your prolonged life is not cost effective…your productivity, when compared to …read more

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When I discussed in a post the proposed government control of the Internet, whereby President Obama could declare an emergency and interfere with private Internet use for “security” reasons,  one reader commented:  I think you’re overreacting. This looks like more hysteria creation from the far right. No president of the USA is going take away Internet communication; it’s not the way things are done in the USA.
Many things are being done these days that are contrary to “the way things are done in the USA.”  Yes, change occurs and often change is good, but the invasive control that is seeping …read more

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I hear the Senate is thinking of introducing legislation that would bail out newspapers.  A bill, sponsored by Maryland Senator Cardin, has been introduced that would allow newspapers to operate as “educational” non-profits as long as they don’t endorse political candidates.  Everyone has their hands out for help these days, but this bill is ill-considered and should not be passed.
Here is why I’m opposed to a bill that would “bail out” newspapers:
It threatens the independence of newspaper journalism.  Journalism is about expression of opinion, including opinions about political candidates, elected officials, and legislation.  It’s called “Freedom of the Press” and …read more

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We Baby Boomers are probably the most over-educated, over-informed, and entertained generation ever.  And with the advent of the blogosphere a few years ago, we have found new ways to be informed and educated and entertained.  From the annals of Small Business Boomers over this year, here are some things we learned:
In January we learned
How Baby Boomers who are veterans can get help starting businesses
About Creative Capitalism (Bill Gates version)
About Muni Bond Insurance and its effect on small business taxes
Jim Norton started issuing “storm warnings about the coming recession.  Too bad I didn’t take his advice and start moving my …read more

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Over the next few days, I will be talking about what we Baby Boomers learned in 2008.  Today’s End-of-Year blog is about some business ideas to consider.  Maybe 2009 will be your year:
Some business ideas:
Home Typing Service
Leading Non-profits
A Beer-related Business
Wine Businesses, Wine Making,  and Wine Franchises
Senior Care Franchises

in several articles
Bed and Breakfasts, Part 1,  Part 2, an Interview with a B&B owner, and Do You Have What it Takes?
And a B&B Sitter or Caretaker
Chocolate Businesses
Coaching (the business and professional kind)
Classic Car Businesses
Fixing Things
Mobile Businesses
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking and more on Pet Sitting
Let me know if any …read more

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