Written By: Jim McKinley There are many different reasons for starting a new venture after entering retirement. Maybe you want to pursue a business idea you never had a chance to realize before, or maybe you miss putting your knowledge and skills to work. No matter what’s driving you, your first priority needs to be keeping your financial future secure and intact. Check Your Perspective Your first step toward developing a successful business during retirement is developing a realistic fiscal outlook. As Inc. explains, thinking in terms of the financial future is a must. Even if you retired at a young age, are currently economically sound, and are in great health, you need a strategy oriented toward long-term success on all fronts. According to some statistics, nearly a third of all retirees must dedicate 40 percent of their retirement income toward existing debts, and if you have a situation where you’re starting out your business barely making ends meet, you are more apt live with stress and financial struggle instead of making good headway. Examine Debts Acknowledge any debts you have, including your mortgage. If you already owe money to creditors, make it a point to become debt-free as soon as possible. It might be a good time to downsize your home, and you should examine what you have in your retirement savings. Also, take a hard look at your credit report and examine it for any accounts that don’t belong to you, clerical errors such as incorrect dates, or old debts which should be removed. According to ConsumersAdvocate.org, investing in a credit repair service can mean entering into your new business venture with solid financial footing and better peace of mind for your golden years. Solidify Your Plan Once you have a good feel for your financial position, take an earnest look at what you expect to be doing. US News notes the largest part of success for small business owners is making a solid business plan, which includes recognizing an existing need and then finding a way to meet it. Are you offering the right product or service at the right time? Do you already have the abilities to fill that niche, or do you need to invest in special equipment or training? Some retirees turn a hobby into a small business, such as making handyman repairs, landscaping, or selling handcrafted items online. You might decide to be a real estate agent, in which case you should check the requirements where you live. Resources for Funds According to the Muse, if your business idea requires a substantial investment, you might decide to take out a loan or find investors willing to help finance your endeavor. You could reach out to friends and family members through crowdfunding, or connect with specific people you think might be as passionate about your idea as you are. Think about the need you intend to meet as well as who will be impacted and how. Be creative in your outreach, be ready to pitch your idea, and you might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Pathways and Exits How long do you plan to work at your new venture? Depending on your objective, you might only intend to work for a set number of years. For instance, some people work until they reach a particular financial goal or a specific age, while others develop their businesses with the intention of passing it along to someone else later. Have a plan in place for how you will later exit your business. Your business’s legal structure can help determine your exit strategy as much as your goals, and certain formats can also help protect your personal finances. You may wish to explore the AARP’s entrepreneurial resources when deciding how to proceed. Taking on a new venture during retirement is a big step. So, weigh your situation carefully to ensure your financial well-being. With some careful planning, you can start a new business without risking your future.

Networking strategies can really help grow a business. But of course, you must put in the time and effort for any networking opportunities to achieve a tangible ROI. Statistics vary, however, many reveal it takes up to seven contact points before landing a sale. Regardless of these figures, the time-honored practice of networking pays off. (If it didn’t people wouldn’t bother wasting their time.) So, it’s really about taking the right approach. Why Successful Entrepreneurs Network Networking isn’t new in any sense. It’s an activity that helps to promote a business. But, that long track record doesn’t mean that it always works. There are several networking mistakes people make all the time and don’t realize it. That is, until they don’t see any fruits from their labor. Sales is about influence. There are methods of persuasion that work very well in business. But, there are also several fundamentals that need to be in place if you want to succeed. If those fundamentals aren’t in place, you can pretty much kiss your chances for success goodbye. —Entrepreneur.com Successful entrepreneurs network because it gives them an opportunity to grow their network and not necessarily to sell their products and services. Did you catch that? Networking is more about growing a circle of regular contacts rather than selling products and services. Think about it this way, would you go to a networking event that’s run in a hard-sell environment? Most Effective Networking Strategies You can Use So, now that you know networking is about extending your contacts and getting familiar with others and not selling, how do you do it right? In other words, what are the most effective networking strategies? Well, here are some helpful bits of advice about how to network: Be confident in your value. It all begins with your confidence. If you aren’t self-confident about your own personality (and comfortable with your faults), you’ll give off the wrong vibe. Go into any networking situation with confidence in your value. Don’t expect anything in return. Successful people aren’t afraid to give and not receive anything in return. Now, that sounds scary but it’s actually a sound business practice so long as it doesn’t cost very much. In other words, you can give expert advice, speak to a class, or do something else others find valuable. Find common ground right away. When you meet someone, be sure to find common ground as soon as possible. This way, you’re more comfortable. And, be sure to give genuine compliments often. Don’t sell your product or service. We’re back to the same philosophy about growing your network. When appropriate, speak about your work. For example, how you’ve solved a customer’s problem. But, do not go into a sales pitch. Let other see your value in more ways than one. What other suggestion do you have for networking? How and where do you find networking opportunities? Please share your thoughts and experiences by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.