“I absolutely recommend anyone that is starting a business take this program. You will be investing in an MBA-level course, which will be good for yourself and the future of your business."
- Juanita Singleton, founder of Revelation Life Sciences
Ready to work for yourself? AARP Foundation’s Work for Yourself@50+ provides free tools and resources to help you get started. Work for Yourself@50+ has a free toolkit, Five Simple Steps to Get You Started, to help you think through your big idea. Work for Yourself@50+ also partners with local economic development organizations around the country to host introductory entrepreneurship workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs. The partner organizations have programming in place to provide on-going support to participants post-workshop.
Who We Serve
AARP Foundation and its partners host inclusive workshops to empower aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether you’re approaching retirement and exploring your next steps, chronically unemployed, or employed yet in need of additional income, Work for Yourself@50+ can help you figure out if self-employment is right for you.
Success Stories
More than 26,000 people have benefitted from Work for Yourself@50+ resources and programming.
Are you interested in starting your own business? Read real stories from Work for Yourself@50+ participants to get inspired.
Success Stories
"I had the best mentor one could ask for. She helped me throughout the entire program from beginning to end. I was treated as a real person and we will continue to work together until my business becomes operational. Thanks again for the opportunity.”
- Charlene Greene, founder of Ensuring Documentation Integrity
“I'm very grateful for the opportunity that Work for Yourself@50+ provided me. The program gave me the confidence to pursue my entrepreneur dream."
- Rodney Fultz, founder of RWF Artwork
"Alejandra and Natalia were excellent moderators who responded promptly to all of my questions and problems. The contacts I made in the peer workgroups were memorable. The program was a wonderful business introduction for beginners who aspire to own their own business!”
- Rodney Fultz, founder of RWF Artwork
“I want to thank the AARP Foundation, Work for Yourself@50+ and all of the administrators and presenters of this program. It was challenging, but it really showed me how much time, dedication, resiliency, and commitment is needed to become a business owner."
- Charlene Greene, founder of Ensuring Documentation Integrity
"I feel confident in saying that, with the help of AARP Foundation and Work for Yourself@50+, my business venture is moving closer to being on the forefront of discovery!”
- Juanita Singleton, founder of Revelation Life Sciences
Getting Started With Self-Employment
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Explore Your Options
Decide if self-employment is right for you
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Find Your Focus
Information, exercises and checklists to help you pinpoint your areas of interest
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Make a Plan
A realistic overview of startup considerations, strategies and preliminary steps required for successfully moving onto the self-employment track
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Watch Out for Trouble
Stumbling blocks along the road to self-employment can put the brakes on your dream. Pinpoint ways to avoid some of the major pitfalls.
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Find Support
Self-employment doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Get guidance on the services and support that will help you accomplish your goals.
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Take Action
You’ve explored your options and made your choice — now bring it all together and get ready to work for yourself!
Discover all of the resources you need to get started.
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