CEO Brandon Frere: New Yorkers, Like Many American Entrepreneurs, Are Successfully Aging

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Sep 28, 2018, 05:00 ET

PETALUMA, Calif., Sept. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Older New Yorkers are like aging workers in the rest of the country. Rather than heading out to pasture, they are increasingly starting their own businesses. A recent New York Times article described that from 2000 to 2016, while the number of residents who are 50 or older rose by 28 percent, the number of entrepreneurs over 50 rose by 64 percent. This mirrors a national trend in which the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs is over 50 and that 50- to 59-year-old entrepreneurs were the most likely to get outside funding. Brandon Frere, CEO of Frere Enterprises and other ventures, understands that maturity gives entrepreneurs an edge in experience and resources that runs counter to expectations.

"The myth is that every big entrepreneurial idea is thought up by college-age kids working out of their garages," said Frere. "And though there is some truth to the myth, it makes sense that age produces experience and knowledge that can't be gained by any other method."

Some older individuals feel as though they have a fresh start and can finally pursue their dreams and passions. They no longer have to take orders from someone half their age and they can cook, craft or in some way capitalize on their education, experience and knowledge. Older entrepreneurs have more social and capital resources. They have a wider range of contacts and have acquired a deeper knowledge of human resources. They have accumulated more wealth than their younger peers and their stability and experience make them better bets for funders.

There are also many entrepreneurs 50 and older who feel forced to look for new and creative ways to supplement their income and savings as they live longer. Squeezed by rising rents and health care costs, many older individuals face uncertain job prospects and age discrimination. These folks feel especially vulnerable in jobs where younger workers are not only less expensive but are more adept with their digital and social media skills. Though they may feel forced into entrepreneurship, it remains a better option than part-time meaningless jobs in order to muddle through as they age.

"The myth of the younger entrepreneur isn't going away anytime soon," said Frere. "Still, it is important to remember that all great, creative ideas require experience and knowledge to successfully launch them into the world. Though not gray yet, I feel my acquired experience and knowledge continues to help me build stronger organizations."

About Brandon Frere

Brandon Frere is an entrepreneur and businessman who lives in Sonoma County, California. He has designed and created multiple companies to meet the ever-demanding needs of businesses and consumers alike. His website, www.BrandonFrere.com, is used as a means of communicating many of the lessons, fundamentals and information that he has learned throughout his extensive business and personal endeavors, most recently in advocating on behalf of student loan borrowers nationwide.

As experienced during his own student loan repayment, Mr. Frere found out how difficult it can be to work with federally contracted student loan servicers and the repayment programs designed to help borrowers. Through those efforts, he gained an insider's look into the repayment process and the motivations behind the inflating student loan debt bubble. His knowledge of the often confusing landscape of student loan repayment became a vital theme in his future endeavors, and he now uses those experiences to help guide others through the daunting process of applying for available federal repayment and loan forgiveness programs.

BrandonFrere.com

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SOURCE Brandon Frere