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daily townsman / daily bulletin
Page 12 Thursday, JUNE 20, 2013
www.cranbrookchamber.com
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
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Our Mission Statement:
Fostering a healthy business climate in Cranbrook & District
Business Advantages of “Seniorpreneurship” (Source: Small BusinessBC)
Since the 1990s, how people spend their time during their “Golden Years” has changed drastically. And as more and more Baby Boomers reach retirement age, a new class of entrepreneur has emerged: the “seniorpreneur.” Seniorpreneurs are defined as self-employed individuals who are aged 55 and older. The
number of entrepreneurs in BC that fall into this category has nearly tripled over the last two decades, growing from 55,000 in ‘90s to over 136,000 today. W h a t ’s m o r e , t h e growth of self-employed people in this group has significantly outpaced the growth of self-employed individuals in other age groups.
Today, becoming a seniorpreneur can often be an opportunity to vault a personal passion into a viable business. And as it turns out, being a business owner in this age group has a number of distinct advantages.
1. Decades of Experience It goes without saying that seniorpreneurs will
Mount Baker Secondary School
Robotics Club Gold MedaliStS at SkillS canada ProvincialS 2013
Bronze MedaliStS at SkillS canada nationalS 2013
bring decades of experience to their new business endeavour – an important quality often overlooked with so much media coverage of young start-ups today. Their previous experience and tacit knowledge can also help them recognize unique business opportunities.
2. Existing Networks Seniorpreneurs have already spent years building up a network of professional contacts, which can provide a huge head start over younger entrepreneurs starting businesses. Even if they launch a business in a completely different industry from their previous career, the personal networks they have built up over the years can be an invaluable resource.
3. Greater Financial Flexibility
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS: ABRAM Consulting Services Ltd. Alec Rogers Bank of Montreal Bill Bennett BWC Contracting Caliper Machinery Canadian Tire Cranbrook Rotary Club City of Cranbrook College of the Rockies David Wilks, MP Denise Bueckert Drs. C. & G. Andreas Dr. Linda Smith Dr. S. D. MacDonald Drive FM 102.9 EB Horsman EFM Towing Ekman Land Surveying Falkins Insurance Fiorentino Bros Guillevin Electric Holly Wendt Home Hardware Jason Burnham Jason Wheeldon Jim’s Small Engine Repair Joe McGowan
KLB Engineering Koocanusa Publishing Leffler Law Office Liz and Tony Dimambro Lordco Martec MediChair Mick’s Barbershop Mike Burnham Milner Reels MBSS Parent Advisory Committee Nelson Engineering Pita Wrapbit Robert Farnell Runner’s RV School District #5 Southeast Kootenay Shaw’s Enterprises Skills BC Spektrum Staples Teck Coal The Brick Tina Bueckert Top Crop Visionary Recycling Walmart Westburne Electric
Our sincerest apologies to any sponsors and supporters we may have overlooked.
time home ownership and growing families – many seniorpreneurs will have more flexibility to grow their business on their own terms. Their credentials and long-term financial records can also make it easier to obtain financing for their business.
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Elizabeth Lake Bird Sanctuary – A place to visit this summer.
4. Different Motivations Many seniorpreneurs who are pursuing encore careers have different motivation than younger entrepreneurs. Rapid growth, wealth accumulation and success may be less of a priority, and they may be more oriented toward long-term thinking. In addition to these advantages as business owners, seniors also experience an important personal benefit from becoming entrepreneurs – the opportunity to stay active and socially engaged during their later years.
Three properties, totaling just under 2623ac (106ha), constitute the Elizabeth Lake Bird Sanctuary which is owned by the provincial government, under the jurisdiction of the B.C. Ministry of the Environment. The sanctuary supports many conservation values as well as recreational purposes. The wetland complex serves as an important resting and nesting area for many species of waterfowl and migratory birds. Mammals found in the sanctuary include deer (Mule and Whitetail), elk, Moose and Muskrat. A colony of Giant Copper Butterfly, previously unknown to British Columbia was recorded in the early 1990’s. Diverse vegetation can be found at Elizabeth Lake, including mixed forest hardwoods, conifer trees, and marsh vegetation. The area also hosts four known archeological sites where the story of use by Native Americans can be told.
Elizabeth Lake has benefited from various waterfowl enhancement projects over the last 30 years including the installation of nesting islands and loafing rafts by the Canadian Ducks Unlimited organization. A local volunteer, Art Gruenig, along with other members of Rocky Mountain Naturalists have played an active role in helping College of the Rockies maintain and preserve wildlife habitat around the City of Cranbrook, including the Elizabeth Lake Bird Sanctuary. The energy and enthusiasm of volunteers at the Elizabeth French 111 - Intermediate French Lake property has resulted in the establishBuild on your basic French skills with this engaging and interactive class. ment of a hardened Enrich your ability to read, write, listen to and speak French Explore the French language and culture in a fun environment trail system, non-na Immerse yourself in the language through videos, media articles, tive plant and bulrush TV clips and more control, and an exten Practice and perfect your conversation skills in realistic and sive gravel nesting site authentic situations r No w to enhance the populaRegiste rts Course runs September to December Class sta er tion of painted turtles. b m Septe Lectures: Thursdays 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Without the financial commitments that go hand-in-hand with young adulthood – such as student loans, first-
Improve your French Skills!
Lab: Online Students must take both lecture and lab.
in
For more information contact: Phone: 250-489-2751 ext. 3243 Toll Free 1-877-489-2687 ext. 3243 email: ask@cotr.bc.ca
www.cotr.bc.ca
The Elizabeth lake Bird Sanctuary is located on a former lumber mill site, adjacent to Highway 95/3