100 Best Retirement Businesses [Paperback]

Lisa Agnowski Rogak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1994

In this one-of-a-kind book, Rogak and Bangs bring retirees the inside information on the most interesting and most lucrative businesses for them--information obtained right from the owners themselves. The authors select 100 of the most interesting retirement businesses--some part-time, some seasonal--and describe the business, how it operates day to day, and the rewards and drawbacks.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Recognizing that people are choosing or being forced to retire at earlier and earlier ages, the authors have looked at 100 different small businesses started by people after they have left their nine-to-five jobs. The businesses range from tiny home-based enterprises started to supplement the retiree's income and fill spare time to larger businesses with numerous employees involving long hours of hard work. Each business profile contains a summary table detailing start-up costs, success potential, time commitment, advantages and disadvantages, and sources for more information. The book's main strength is its provision of testimonials, which offer a good source of ideas for those looking to start a business whether they are retired or not. Also included are sections on business selection, self-assessment, and business plan development. Although there is not a great deal of information on each business, this is a good starting point. Recommended for public libraries.
Joel Jones, Jefferson Cty. P.L., Arvada, Col.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

There are many reasons to choose retirement, but not wanting to work is often not one of them. Many who retire still have half a lifetime ahead of them and look forward to the opportunity finally to follow their dreams. Often these dreams take the shape of running one's own business. Though her use of the term best may be questioned, Rogak profiles 100 different businesses that have been successfully started by retirees. She identifies the ease of start-up, the time and money investment required, and the potential for success; she also describes the nature of the business, including a two- to three-page interview with its owner. She includes a section on plans tailored for retirement businesses, adapted from David Bangs' Business Planning Guide (1992). For small business collections and libraries with older users. David Rouse

Product Details

• Paperback: 393 pages
• Publisher: Kaplan Business (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936894547
• ISBN-13: 978-0936894546
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,452,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ehh, So-So, June 4, 2009

By 

Jessie R. Smith Jr. (Central Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 100 Best Retirement Businesses (Paperback)

Well, I was a little disappointed with this volume. Perhaps the title should be 100 Best IDEAS/INSPIRATIONS for Retirement Business. It really did not go into a lot of detail on most of the subjects. It may tweak your interest in that business, but you will definitely have to still do more research and "How To" books to go any further. Sorry, but to me it was a 3 star (would have been a 2.5 had it been possible).

14 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent description of businesses retirees can run., October 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: 100 Best Retirement Businesses (Paperback)

Whether you retire early or late, voluntarily or not, consider a business of your own. But what? To really get your creative juices flowing, read this book which discussed start-up costs, success potential, whether it can be run from home, how to market your wares or services, and where to get more information. For each possibility, there's a real life story about someone doing it.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Now you're retired; let's go to work for fun and profit., June 12, 1998

By 

moneyblows books (Lee, NH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 100 Best Retirement Businesses (Paperback)

Are you retiring and want to start life over as a musician, a mystery writer, a candlemaker? Lisa Angowski Rogak, with David H. Bangs, Jr., has interviewed these and more to find out the pros and cons of being a clown, potter, herbalist, boatbuilder and ninety other some-odd retirement occupations, in 100 Best Retirement Businesses (Upstart, $15.95). All these people had a previous life, so they also have the perspective to see how difficult taking on a new, self-employed challenge might be.