Do Boomers Hold the Key to Rescuing Our Troubled Economy?
Ladies and gentlemen, they just might. Baby Boomers’ innovation, experience, expertise, and vast network of contacts may be the order of the day when it comes to breathing some life into our faltering national finances. How, you ask? Why, through the wonders of entrepreneurship, of course.
Americans Believe Entrepreneurship is the Answer
A recent poll conducted by the Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship found that 56% of Americans believe that small business, rather than government, will lead us out of financial crisis and into stability. Over 70% of those surveyed believe that the vitality of the economy is dependent on the achievement of entrepreneurs, and 80% believe that the government should devote resources to encouraging entrepreneurship on a national scale. And who better to start a business than the ever-savvy, well-connected Boomers, who already constitute a disproportionately high number of the country’s self-employed workers? They’ve got some time on their hands, a wealth of knowledge, and a career’s worth of networking behind them…and now they’ve got the support of the U.S. Small Business Association, as well.
U.S. SBA Launches Website Dedicated to the 50+ Entrepreneur
This month, the SBA formally demonstrated its support by launching a website dedicated to the 50+ entrepreneur. Here Boomers can find everything they need to get their new venture off the ground: free online training, interactive communication tools, marketing support, advice on how to assess their readiness and get started, and more. It’s all online at http://www.sba.gov/50plusentrepreneur/
“The SBA is working hard to increase opportunities for small businesses of the baby boomer generation at every stage of their business development through better technology tools and effective services through the agency’s district office and resource partners,” says Acting SBA Administrator Sandy K. Baruah in a recent press release. “We believe 50+ entrepreneurs will drive significant new business growth in the coming years.”
Do Boomers have what it takes to turn our shaky economy around? Let’s look at the facts: this is the same generation that constitutes the biggest economic group in our country today. They control more of the wealth, earn more and spend more. They fought for civil rights and women’s rights, championed education and the environment, brought us the personal computer and the IPod, and heralded a resurgence of social activism. They’re educated and informed, and most of all, they’re used to bucking the system and coming up with creative solutions.
Folks, my money’s on the Boomers.
