Thinking about starting a business in retirement? Let tech be your business partner with Senior Planet’s array of tech classes designed for the would-be entrepreneur.

The Essentials

A good overall view is the Essential Tech for Running your Small Business webinar on Nov. 17.  In this lecture, we’ll explore easy-to-use software tools that can help small business owners manage everyday tasks, stay organized, and plan ahead with confidence. This session will introduce tech options that make managing your business easier, such as file organization, bookkeeping, and scheduling. We’ll also review tips on how to choose the right software.

Money Matters

Managing finances can be daunting, but tech tools can help simplify these essential tasks.   The variety can be overwhelming but Senior Planet has simplified them for you!  Register here for a Nov. 10 online session on Banking and Finance App at a Glance.

Want to streamline your payment processing, but don’t know which digital payment is right for your business? Digital Payments and Your Small Business on Nov. 14 introduces different ways to accept digital payments, including via P2P apps, online marketplaces, and PayPal. We’ll also cover payment processors and important security best practices to protect your business and customers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to modernize, this lecture offers practical insights to help you accept digital payments. If you’re interested in joining us Nov. 14, details are here.

For a complete look at all our resources for all things financial, check out our listings here.

Marketing your Business

In today’s digital world, your business needs more than just a great product — it needs an online presence that gets found. Join our webinar on Getting Your Small Business Online on Nov. 18 to cover the basics – and more. We’ll walk you through the essentials of getting your business online with SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and Google Business Profiles, plus the benefits of customer reviews and business websites. Packed with practical tips and a downloadable handout, this session will help you boost visibility, connect with customers, and grow your business with confidence. No registration is needed for this info-packed session.    

An essential tool for any business is a website.  Come to the Website Builders at a Glance webinar on Nov. 17 to learn about user-friendly website builders and how they can help you create professional-looking websites even as a beginner. We’ll explore how website builders work, highlight their common features, and share a few popular examples. You’ll also learn practical tips for getting started, from choosing the right platform to planning your site and finding additional support. No registration is required. 

Communications

Tech can make it easy to reach colleagues, customers, clients or teams. with so many options to choose from, you might want to start with the basics. On Nov. 24, in Senior Planet’s Intro to Hosting on Zoom, we’ll go over what you need to start your first meeting, as well as some hosting tips to make it a success. You’ll also learn about special features for hosts, including ways Zoom keeps your meetings secure. After this overview lecture, you’ll be ready for our hands-on workshops “Getting Started with Zoom” and “Hosting a Zoom Meeting,” which include step-by-step instructions. No registration is needed; get details here.

More Free Learning Resources to Explore

Being an entrepreneur is exciting—but challenging. According to 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20.4% of businesses fail in their first year, 49.4% within five years, and 65.3% within ten. That’s a lot of time and money to invest to go belly up. In short, don’t gamble your retirement savings on a hunch—start lean and stay informed with Senior Planet and these other resources:

• Google Digital Garage offers 18 free classes on digital marketing, security, coding, and more.
• Service Corps of Retired Executives SCORE (in collaboration with the SBA) provides free mentoring and educational resources.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) furnishes free materials to help plan, launch, and grow businesses.

Older adult entrepreneurship is about being smart and following your passion. With your experience, the right resources, and a willingness to keep learning, this next chapter can be deeply fulfilling. Your best work may still be ahead!

YOUR TURN

Are you reinventing yourself as an entrepreneur in your retirement?  Tell us about it in the comments!

For more resources on entrepreneurship – including self-paced courses, a quiz, and podcast episodes – explore seniorplanet.org/small-business.

Deborah Reale is a digital marketing and communications consultant specializing in social media, analytics, content writing, and editing. Ms. Reale has written for Business Development Magazine, Construction Industry Today, and quoted in Investor’s Business Daily and the book Social Media in Action. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a graduate degree in business administration.

The content on the Senior Planet website is intended strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement or warranty regarding privacy, security, app permissions, or changes in the app’s terms of service. Please scrutinize each app’s privacy policy, terms of use, data collection or other permissions before downloading or using the app.