What is Silver Start?
SilverSTART is a learning community and support network for people over 50 who want to start and manage successful mission-driven businesses.
SilverSTART Meetup
SilverSTART hosts a monthly online meetup. Each meeting has a guest Silver Starter who shares their story and perspective. It’s fun, informative, and a great way to build your network. Each session offers time for questions, networking, and fun. Check out our schedule of upcoming meetings and view videos of past meetings.
SilverSTART Workshops
We have designed SilverSTART workshops with you and your particular needs in mind. We know you come to the table with tons of experience. We know you don’t need to be “taught” so much as given space to learn. Our workshops are small, hand-picked groups. They are an engaging mix of group, self-directed, and a one-on-one session. They are geared for quick turnaround success. Join us for our upcoming Taking the Plunge! workshop.
About Us
SilverSTART is the brainchild of two very experienced entrepreneurs and Silver Starters, Karyn Zuidinga & Tim Bramwell. We know what it’s like to start, develop, and grow a business. We are passionate about helping other Silver Starters find their entrepreneurial passion and succeed. Reach out and say hello, we look forward to meeting you!
Latest Meetup
Doing Business in a Post Pandemic World
,Meet Joe Tankersley, founder of Unique Visions and advocate for better tomorrows. Joe delivered a thought-provoking, compelling, practical and, optimistic presentation on how to assess the massive changes going on all around us. By focusing on what’s accelerating, and understanding that the business landscape is moving from an efficiency/productivity lens towards resiliency/equity one, he arms us with powerful tools to chart our future.
:Our poll question for this meeting was
What do you think will be the BIGGEST IMPACT on your BUSINESS from the pandemic?
shares his compelling framework for strategic planning. By focusing on what is accelerating, he highlights key trends and opportunities. His talk is remarkably positive.
360+
Silver Start Meetup Members
7
Chapters in 3 provinces
4
Upcoming Workshops
2
Upcoming Meetups
Changing The entrepreneurial culture
"Canadian boomers are incredibly entrepreneurial. Many are turning passion projects into new ventures and leveraging their extensive experience to fuel today's small business economy. At the same time, their spirit and leadership is inspiring the next generation of aspiring millennial entrepreneurs to build on the momentum."
Lori Darlington
Vice-President of Small Business and Strategic Partnerships, RBC
From our blog
Reflections on how Silver Starters are changing the entrepreneurial culture.
Entrepreneur or Self-Employed? Why it Matters.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been interviewing Silver Starters about their businesses, and a surprising trend has emerged. From what I’ve heard, and reflected in one of our surveys, it seems like the term entrepreneur doesn’t feel like a good fit for most Silver Starters.
Don’t miss our next event
Meet Mike Mutsaerts. He’s a Silver Starter who left a very comfortable corporate position as VP with Expedia Cruiseship Centers to creating a franchise consulting business, Franchise Success On the surface, it looks like an easy lateral step for Mike from franchise development to franchise consulting. But between quitting his job and starting his business, he spent two years offering free mentorship to people either wanting to start a franchise or in one looking to grow.
Closing the credibility gap
When you are starting a new mission-driven business when you are over 50, despite your 20 to 30 years of experience, you may find yourself staring at a credibility gap. You may be asked to prove your bona fides in your new passion-fuelled endeavour.