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In all likelihood, there will be an increase in your Medicare and perscription deductions from your gross Social Security payment?  Supposedly, because of the recession, cost of living in the U.S. didn’t increase in 2009.

Will this affect many boomers?  Yes, those who are eligible for Social Security payments.  

However, is there anything that says we must have an increase each year?  Do all pensions have an increase built into them?  Is what we’re receiving more than what many paid into the system over the years? 

If the lack of increase (and even decrease if Medicare premiums go up) becomes reality, more boomers may be considering small or home businesses to develop more income to live on.

What about you?

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Sometimes the cell phone is their only phone, as they discontinue using a “land” phone.  So…as cell phones become more sophisticated, you may find yourself putting sensitive information on it regarding your business and personal life.

Is your information safe?  Can others access your data for unsavory purposes?  Will people obtain information you don’t want made public?

I came across an interesting article in New Scientist, The pocket spy: Will your smartphone rat you out?    It seems almost too “James Bondish,” but modern technology can spy on us almost anywhere!

You might want to consider how you’re using your cell phone and discover what can and can’t be learned from it.

Additional article: Is Your Home Business Safe on Your Cell Phone?

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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 addition to having talent, you need to have a market and become proficient on promoting your products/services and yourself.  So before you invest too much into developing your small or home business, check to see if there is a viable market out there for what you have to offer.  Or become creative in marketing your products.  Find a need for them, then capitalize upon it.

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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 to avoid the pitfalls of others

However, no matter what you’re doing or how well you seem to get started, be sure you have patience.  Most businesses take time for success and to earn you money.  So many people give up when there’s not immediate success because they’ve heard about the seemingly “instant success” ones.

What have you found that helped you keep going midst odds?

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Effective signs are important, if you have a walk-in business. 

This got me thinking about signs I’ve used, ones I’ve seen, and those other businesses have found effective.  At Home Biz Notes, I wrote about this topic, Effective Signs for Your Home Business.  You might find something of interest here you can use for developing your signs…or at least set you thinking about what you can do to create more effective ones.

What have you used for signs that produces results?

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Some may start out here and, like Keara Sexton, develop a small business, OAK,  on Newbury Street in Boston.  Although Keara isn’t a boomer, you can learn from her.  Her mom, Karen, a small business owner, in Nashua, NH, helped Keara start her business, and now is learning from her daughter about social media and marketing in a techie world.

To learn more about Keara and Karen’s businesses and Etsy.com, read Shawn Cyr’s article, Those arts and crafts projects could add up to dollars online.  This might spark your creativity and give you ideas for your small business.

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Concentrate on Customers, Not Yourself

Remembering the Needs of Your Customers

Do you have any thoughts about postive and effective customer service?

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• 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?

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I also blog at b5’s Home Biz Notes, My Organized Biz and write at Blisstree’s Parenting and Arts/Crafts sections. I’ve been involved in family businesses and home businesses all of my life.  Currently my husband and I work from home.  In addition I do substitute teaching during the school year.

Also, I invite you to share your boomer business experiences with us here at Small Business Boomers.

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