- Jim Provo
AARP and the Small Business Administration teamed up on Tuesday for an Encore Entrepreneur event in Wilmington.
It was one of a number of sessions nationwide focusing on those over 50 who own or who want to own their own business.
AARP is sponsoring the events, due to interest from their members, due to what an organization spokesman described as a growing trend of older Americans starting their own businesses out of economic necessity or a desire for a more fulfilling work life.
The message from presenters was that money and help is available for those wishing to start their own businesses.
A large chunk of the session focused on Small Business Administration-backed loans and related financial and counseling assistance from SCORE (formerly Senior Corps of Retired Executives), First State Loan Fund and the Delaware Small Business Technology and Development Center.
SCORE was founded in Wilmington by retired DuPont executives and expanded nationwide.
At the same time, speakers cautioned those in attendance about the risks and hard work in making that business succeed.
James Provo, of the Small Business Administration Delaware office and a former business owner, stressed the importance of a business plan, comparing it to a flight simulator that can test the strategy of a start-up or existing business.
Sharing their success stories were Sher Valenzuela of First State Manufacturing in Milford and Audrey Brodie, owner of First Class Properties, a growing central and southern Delaware real estate firm.
Valenzuela did not touch on politics at the session, but instead focused on the resources available to entrepreneurs in the state, including a business center operated by First State in conjunction with Delaware State University.
Valenzuela is currently running for Lieutenant Governor. She recently spoke at the Republican National Convention.
