Rick Terrien - Ageless Startup: Start a Business at Any Age

Praise for Ageless Startup

Entrepreneurship provides an exciting new career for millions of older Americansone they would never have anticipated growing up in a world that presumed peoples work life would end at 65. Rick Terrien has provided a fabulous roadmap on how to approach this new chapter in life. His brilliant Ageless Startup is a handbook for how to shape your future so your most rewarding work lies aheadwork that benefits you and makes a difference in the lives of countless others. A must for career planning for anyone over forty!

C ARL S CHRAMM, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE K AUFFMAN F OUNDATION, AUTHOR OF B URN THE B USINESS P LAN , SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR, ACTIVE VENTURE INVESTOR, AND PROFESSOR AT S YRACUSE U NIVERSITY

Ageless Startup focuses on a critically important but often ignored topic, which is the emerging next career for a growing segment of our populationthe 40 to 65 age cohort. Rick Terrien shines a spotlight on this growing segment with timeless advice as an experienced entrepreneur. There is much for us to learn about the ongoing journey of entrepreneurship that knows no boundaries, no age limit, or no career/life stage barrier. I applaud Rick for this important and necessary read.

A UDREY J. M URRELL , P H .D., PROFESSOR AND DEAN OF U NIVERSITY OF P ITTSBURGH , H ONORS C OLLEGE

I love, love, love Rick Terriens myth-busting book Ageless Startup where research shows that its the 50-year-oldnot the 20-year-oldwho is more likely to start a successful business. Ageless Startup puts entrepreneurship back on the table as a potential income opportunity for older adults. It is a must-read, offering step-by-step guidance on how to start and grow your own business.

E LIZABETH W HITE, AUTHOR OF 55, U NDEREMPLOYED, AND F AKING N ORMAL

With Ageless Startup, Rick Terrien has managed to make the book a fun read while providing practical, useful advice in a voice that is clear and supportive.

K AREN F ULBRIGHT -A NDERSON , P H .D., CEO OF F ULBRIGHT -A NDERSON AND A SSOCIATES

Ageless Startup takes Rick Terriens decades of entrepreneurial know-how and channels it into a guide to help other ageless innovators on their journey. Along the way, he shares tips from dozens of inspiring social entrepreneurs making their biggest impact in the second half of life as they work to create a better future for all. If youre committed to pursuing later-life creativity and innovation, youll find a kindred spirit in Rick!

E UNICE L IN N ICHOLS, VICE PRESIDENT AND G EN2 G EN CO-CHAIR, ENCORE.ORG

You have wisdom and maturity and, now with this book, you have the inside tactics you need to succeed at any age. Highly recommended, especially if youre over 50.

D R . J OE V ITALE, AUTHOR OF Z ERO L IMITS AND T HE M IRACLE

This book shares valuable how-to tips to start small, smart, and slow. If you see yourself embracing the exciting journey of entrepreneurship in the second half of life, delay no further and take the first step by reading this life-changing book.

S HARON G REGORY, ENTREPRENEUR , S IX S IGMA M ASTER B LACK B ELT, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF H EXAGON S OLUTIONS AND B EYOND

If you have experienced a loss of purpose, interest, or direction during middle-age or senior years, this book is a must read. Rick Terrien demonstrates the value in starting again and writing your own new chapter. He not only reveals the secret to discovering and igniting a new passion, but also how to ensure your renewed purpose uplifts others and changes communities.

G REGG K ANDER , E SQ ., 2019 P URPOSE P RIZE F ELLOW AND GENERAL COUNSEL FOR S WEET N L OW /S UGAR IN THE R AW

The business world would be a much more efficient, compassionate, and regenerative space if we conducted ourselves as Rick does. Ageless Startup represents the best of Ricks entrepreneurial guidance.

M ATT DA MOUR, ENTREPRENEUR AND HOLISTIC LIFESTYLE COACH

After picking up a copy of Ageless Startup, I realized this was a game changer! Youre never too old to find new ways to leave your mark on the world, and I would highly recommend Ageless Startup as the perfect roadmap to turning your dreams into reality at any age!

R USS R OBERTS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF W AUKESHA C OUNTY T ECHNICAL C OLLEGE S MALL B USINESS C ENTER

Ageless Startup has been a vital guidebook as I transition from paid employment into entrepreneurship. Rick Terriens book is a roadmap for giving yourself permission to explore entrepreneurship in the second half of life.

J OY G IESEKE, ENTREPRENEUR AND YARN ENTHUSIAST

Ageless Startup brings attention and merit to a critical topiccapitalizing on your entrepreneurial spirit after the age of 45. Rick does a tremendous job of helping the reader understand why the entrepreneurial spirit is time-proof.

W AYNE J ONES , E D .D., CEO OF P ENN H ILLS C HARTER S CHOOL OF E NTREPRENEURSHIP

Amidst the incessant din comes a wise book that speaks directly to those with a lifetime of knowledge, skills, networks, and a little available money. Ageless Startup helps us reflect on how we can leverage that into something that can produce a source of income and make the world a better place.

G REGG R. B AKER, TENURED AND COMMISSIONED U.S. F OREIGN S ERVICE O FFICER WITH USAID AND CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR USAID PROGRAMS

Ricks book is right on time for entrepreneurs.

B ILL H ARRISON, CO-OWNER , B RADLEY C OMMUNICATIONS C ORP .

This book strikes me as absolutely the right message at the right time. Ricks real-world experience and knowledge come through, and as I learned fighting cancer almost 20 years ago, knowledge kills fear.

M ICHAEL H OADLEY , CCIM, PMP, AND DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE AT G LIDE P ATH P OWER S OLUTIONS

Ricks real-world wisdom and guidance show how to galvanize your life experience and finally break the wheel of discontentment. The result: unlocking the success behind what you want to do, not what you should.

D AVE K WASNICK , C LIO O NE S HOW AND A MERICAN A DVERTISING F EDERATION NATIONAL AWARD WINNER

Start
a Business at
Any Age

AGELESS
STARTUP

Rick Terrien

Entrepreneur Press

Entrepreneur Press, Publisher

Cover Design: Andrew Welyczko

Production and Composition: Eliot House Productions

2020 by Entrepreneur Media, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted by Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Requests for permission or further information should be addressed Entrepreneur Media Inc. Attn: Legal Department, 18061 Fitch, Irvine, CA 92614.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

Entrepreneur Press is a registered trademark of Entrepreneur Media, Inc.

ebook ISBN: 978-1-61308-420-5

FOREWORD

By John Golden
Assistant professor, entrepreneur-in-residence, and managing director of the Sustainable Enterprise Accelerator at Slippery Rock University

I ts been almost thirty years since I took my son and daughter, then ages six and four, ice skating for the very first time. We travelled to a local ice arena, and I rented small-sized skates, which I fastened snugly on their feet. I remember giving them some small words of caution. Before I could tie on my own skates, my kids jumped from the bleachers onto the ice and began skating at full speed. I watched with fright and amazement, wondering how they would stop safely. But stop they did. They hit the wall at the corner of the ice arena, fell to the ice laughing, got up, and began skating off in another direction. Didnt they understand that it was necessary to learn the established techniques by taking small steps onto the ice? Why didnt they wait for my experienced instruction? How did they think they were going to stop? Werent they afraid of getting hurt?