Retiring... Maybe not ?
 

Will be retiring sometime in 2017.

Not looking to stay idle, so exploring possibilities of either a part time job,
or starting my own business. Don't to wish full-time occupation, have done that for 40 yrs corporate !

Looking to the Forum for business suggestions or opportunities.
What business need is missing in the lakes region that could sustain
year-round employment and income.

Appreciate everyone's feedback !

How to make a small fortune in business...

start out with a large fortune! ;)

Every year we come back to the Lake. And every year we try to take a piece back with us. My goal was to have a room or 2 in our home that "feels" like the lake.
It's too hard, one piece at a time. I'm not suggesting another "antique or Lakes region knick-knacks" store.

I'd love to give someone room dimensions in our home and have them create the "interior" design that "brings the Lake to us."

.....hmmmmm....with www.efi.com recently announcing the close of their Meredith facility, and relocating it to Manchester NH, you should be able to waltz your M.Eng job experience over to www.dunkindonuts.com and just maybe get a starter job here in the lakes region! Or better yet, take your M.Eng degree and apply it to become one of our 400-NH state representatives, so's you can collect a 57.5-cent(?)/mile refund, driving back and forth to the NH-State House, plus the 100-dollars/2-year term, payday.

On a more serious note, all the Wal-Marts in Gilford, Plymouth, and Tilton have signs posted in their parking lots looking for employees to start at 9.00/h and here in New Hampshire the minimum wage is ruled by the federal minimum of 7.25/h unless you work in a restaurant and get tips. The lakes region supposedly has many, many millionaires living here who can maybe be identified by their big money cars and pick-ups seen on the local roads, and the private jets flying to/from Laconia Airport. Laconia Airport www.laconiaairport.com has no scheduled passenger airline service what-so-ever, and has a very nice 5890'x100' asphalt paved, designer runway?

^^^^ And if that doesn't work out, There's always the "oldest profession" of course this would be the senior version. How about "Renters Review" some how get into into every property, Break it into divisions by price, and give an honest review. I hate the fake reviews of business on line, you can be a one man review machine.

On the other hand...

Ray Kroc started McD's at 55.

Do you want a business? That will require a large commitment of time and mental anguish.

Do you just want something to do? A part time job helping folks in the aisles can be less taxing on the mind.

I'd bet that some of the folks that who help me in stores have a well feathered nest yet work for a sense of purpose and human interaction.

Will probably see if I can do contract work part-time, however in my line of work that's difficult,
most companies want full time. I work in Cyber-Security, so there's no lack of work !

In this career I've been able to work from home for years now and happy with the arrangement.

Will have conversations with current employer before departing to see if there's interest and if my skills are still valuable for part-time assignments ? Bid Dog is an 'old dog' and they can get 2 maybe 3,
30 somethings' for my wages....

Also plan to surf the employment websites: Monster, DICE, INDEED.COM etc for part time work.
Have to brush up my resume' !

Not really. Understand your point though.

Founded in the United States in 1940, the company began as a barbecue restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1948, they reorganized their business as a hamburger stand using production line principles. Businessman Ray Kroc joined the company as a franchise agent in 1955. He subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers and oversaw its worldwide growth.

All correct.

Kroc had the vision and drive to build the original McDonalds brothers' business into the franchise system that we know today.

Dick and Mack, may (or may not) have carried on with McDonald's in the same form in which Ray encountered them.

Starting this at 55 is one hell of a second career!

The Marriott's started with a hamburger stand too!

The story I heard about the McDonald brothers and Ray Krock was that Krock was selling or distributing the machines that the McDonalds used for their “milkshakes” and was astounded at the volume the McDonalds were doing and it went on from there.

...want to volunteer two days per week in Laconia?
 

The St Vincent dePaul thrift store in Laconia, next to McDonald's fast food, is looking for two volunteers, two days per week, to load-unload-drive their large cube truck to remove large furniture donation items like sofas and bureaus and other large items from peoples homes back to the thrift store. A cdl-drivers license is not needed, just a regular operators license, a strong back, and a desire to volunteer will do it.

Hey there bigdog.......it's not just a job....it's a position.....and it my be just right for you, buddy?

How do I know? A help wanted has been posted at the entrance since last January.

www.stvdplaconia.org/

I grew up in Bedford, NH ( summered in Moultonborough). At the time students from Bedford attended West High School in Manchester. Every year a McDonalds scholarship was given to a student. I am not sure if the McDonald brothers attended West or not.

Depending on where you are it seems based on the previous thread there may be demand for a good vacation rental operator. I personally would love to find a great operator and one that is willing to handle rentals for shorter periods such as a weekend.

And/or a house checker.

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Fun topic. I am on track to retire in 12-13 years from law enforcement. I will be in my late 40's. We will then relocate to the lakes region. I have a few ideas in mind for my own business. I was thinking property services as follows:

- snow plowing
-light landscaping (mow, trim, blow)
-snow bird house caretaker (alarm response, heat check, security check, etc)
-vacation rental stuff (maybe)
-light handyman projects
-other random stuff...just ask kind of thing.

And hopefully get to use my real passion of custom hand painted pin striping. :cool:

Shoulder season full time contract work?
 

In the last two years I started getting feelers for contract remote work in Software development ( from Monster & LinkedIn accounts ). While all were full time the chance at remote contract work is leading me to consider the possibilty of eventually doing short full time remote contracts during the "shoulder" seasons. All summer and Winter to play, gray seasons to work?

And therein lies your future. Retirement is supposed to be doing what you want to do, rather than what you had to do before. Turning a passion into an income-producing venture would be ideal. It wouldn't really be working, yet it would keep you busy and provide income. You could branch into all kinds of custom painting services according to what tickles you, work when and as long as you like - what could be better for you?

Very good points.

I'm not clear on your previous business experience, but it doesn't sound like you're in huge need of an income.

Retirement is a great time to do charitable works. If you're on the board of directors of a non-profit, you will cross paths with "working" directors and you may find opportunities to be on boards of "for profit" companies that are paid positions. You won't get rich, but you can do much good, and pay enough expenses to allow you to make a real contribution to your community.

In another direction, there are almost always opportunities available in your town on various appointed and elected positions. NH is run by volunteers.

"Getting a job" isn't retiring. It's time to do something for others, even if it's only delivering Meals on Wheels one day a week.
There are SO many things to do. It sounds like if we make suggestions, it will be something where you have no experience (nothing wrong there) and won't consider it. Time to try new things and help run things.

Or you can do "nothing..." Fill your days with yard work, hunting, fishing, boating/swimming, join a health club just to name a few. You can keep busier than you think with just a little effort. I'm not retired yet but I know MANY people who after retiring told me they don't know how they ever found time to work. :laugh:

I have found this to be true. All of the hobbies that have been accumulated over the years keep me quite busy.

My efficiency is not what is used to be though. The go go go of running a business is now replaced with "I'll finish it tomorrow (or maybe the next day...)"

If you want to feel humble, try doing something new. You will realize that years of doing the same thing very well does not guarantee all you touch turns to gold. :rolleye1:

Retiring after 38 years hoping to do things I didn't have time to do previously,
I soon found that there was never enough time. Too busy to read a good book.
Playing in the yard and trimming trees and shrubbery, minor house repairs, grooming the dogs and the list never ends.

You will find your agenda completely filled.

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

If you have the means and a good savings in your retirement or 401k try real estate sales. You can do ok if you work hard or with a good agency. Also as a rental agent or full-time/part time property management. I would recommend you get your New Hampshire Real Estate license 1st of course.

Thanks everyone for all your great comments !

Laketrout.. I sent you a PM, please review.

Have lots to think about before retiring........

One thing I'm not going to do is stay still for any length of time, will continue to be active, most likely working part-time and performing volunteer service.

I would like to volunteer also. I have always wanted to be K9 handler, so volunteer search and rescue with a dog is on my list to explore.