Baby Boomer Biz Notes

Finding Your Business Interests

2010-06-28T11:12:00.001-07:00

During these times of a recession economy, many baby boomers find their current income or retirement insufficient to maintain their lifestyle, or even meet current bills. So they're looking into developing businesses to provide extra income...or in some cases, their only income.

So brainstorm:

Look at what your interests are
Look at your abilities
Have you hobbies that can make money
Have you ever been involved in a former small business
Is there a need you can fill by developing a business

(Image: sxc.hu)

Boomers & Travel Writing Business

2010-01-09T07:48:00.001-08:00

Many Boomers enjoy traveling and often find this a time of life to so more of it. I combine travel writing with my traveling and write for several online travel publications.

My latest Vagabond Traveler article, Visiting Presidential Homes & Libraries, is up at American Roads Travel Magazine.

It was fun reminiscing and researching and writing this.

I also write a cooking column, Potluck, at American Roads, about foods and finds in my travels. The current one is Collecting Recipe Cards While You Travel.

I hope you enjoy these!

(Monticello image: sxc.hu)

Branding and Business

2009-12-31T07:41:00.000-08:00

Branding has become a buzz word in the business world, a way to call recognition to your name or business name and thus acquire more sales. I've written a number of articles about branding and have been studying how it could help in my writing world.

One area an author can utilize branding is by writing a series of books with the same setting, same characters, same theme...at least some thread tying them all together as Jennifer Chiaverini has done with her Elm Creek Quilts novel series. I've written about this technique in the post, Branding - The Elm Creek Way.

Have you looked into developing a brand for your business or name?

TURN YOUR HOBBY INTO A HOME BUSINESS

2008-10-24T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hobby Businesses

An easy way to develop extra income consists of turning your hobby into an income producing venture. What do you like to do, "putter" at, that could be sold or provide a service? Admittedly, it's difficult to do this with some hobbies. However, with many you can develop some income.

Here are some suggestions:

Dressmaking and alterations
Quiltmaking
Tying flies
Knitting
Crocheting
Stamping
Scrapbooking
Woodworking
Party planning
Cardmaking

Do you have some suggestions to share with us?

Why Baby Boomer Biz Notes?

2008-10-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

Why am I writing a Baby Boomer Business blog? Because the Boomer generation is facing great uncertainty regarding their financial future.

Many of them can't retire because of loss of pensions
Many need an additional job if they haven't retired yet
Many need a job to supplement retirement and Social Security
Many see an uncertain future so view a home business as the solution
Many just want an experience to make life more interesting, so are pursuing monetizing their hobbies.

Since I'm sandwiched between the Boomer generation and my mom's generation, I'm concerned about these topics, too. I've been writing about home businesses for several years and currently work from home.

So I'll explore ideas for you.

Let me know what you'd like to learn about.