Tag Archives: entrepreneur stories

The Center for Productive Longevity Announces Winners of the Nationwide Later-Life Story Contest

Both Winners use Volunteering as a Basis for Inspiration

Boulder, CO, October 01, 2012 – The Center for Productive Longevity (CPL) is pleased to announce the winners of its Later-Life Story Contest, which was created to demonstrate that older people can continue to lead successful and inspirational lives. Barbara M. Traynor was chosen for the Inspirational Life Story category and Lynn Brooks for her Entrepreneurship Success Story. Both entries are available to read online at www.ctrpl.org/later-life-story-contest-winners. A panel of three independent judges selected the winners from many fascinating stories sent in by people 50 and older. Lynn and Barbara will each receive a prize of $1,000 and a specially designed display trophy.

In Lynn Brooks’ winning essay, she wrote about beginning an organization in 1992 at age 59 called Big Apple Greeter in New York City. It is a non-profit that pairs visitors to NYC with volunteer greeters who explore the city together. This was the first “Welcome Visitor” program of its kind in the country. Today, the organization is extremely successful, but it was a challenging journey along the way. Lacking funding, support and computer skills, but holding onto a will to succeed, Lynn overcame many challenges.

Her story describes how far the organization has come. “Today we have more than 300 Greeters – most are over 55, more than 50% work, many are multilingual, some are blind or use wheelchairs. They are ready, rain or shine, to spend two to four hours with visitors, showing them our people, culture and diversity.”

Lynn also shared wonderful metrics. “In terms of success, our cup runneth over. We’ve had more than 120,000 visitors since we started. We’ve generated over two billion positive, world-wide media impressions about New York City. Ninety-five percent of our visitors give us ‘extraordinary’ evaluations. Our volunteer retention rate is incredibly high. We’ve been called the most cost-effective public relations arm in the city. We’ve been widely recognized, starting in our early years, with awards that run the gamut from corporations to city government, and in January we will receive the prestigious 2012 Hotel Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award.” To read her story, visit: www.ctrpl.org/later-life-story-contest-winners.

Barbara M. Traynor’s story begins with a situation that sounds familiar to many people. Yet she took some giant leaps of faith to change her life forever.

“Walking provides impetus to ponder. My 65th birthday was hovering. I was not feeling old, but sixty-five? That’s major!  Why I chose to walk the beach on a frigid winter afternoon is questionable, however with boots crunching on the frozen sand, gloved hands balled into my pockets, I reviewed my six-odd decades. Married at nineteen, three children by twenty-seven, moved eighteen times with a grass-is-greener spouse – instant on-the-job-training in how to deal with transition – and divorced after seventeen years.

“Working as an administrative assistant for over forty-five years, single mother raising three children, generated an abundant desire for freedom and travel but little savings and no pension. Life was crammed with drama and trauma. Income matched outgo. I would have to live on Social Security income alone. I screamed into the thundering surf, ‘How can I afford to go anywhere? When is it my turn?’ Surprise! Someone was listening.

“Arriving home, I checked my email. A message from Alaska cajoled: How about becoming a long-distance, long-term volunteer? Hmmmm – it seemed that some organizations supplement their staff with volunteers, offering free room and board in exchange for workplace skills? WOW! That I could spend my over 65 ‘mystery’ years this way inspired my imagination. My frozen fingers tingled. I began to rethink retirement.”

At age 65, Barbara retired and drove to Alaska from Connecticut with a mission and copious notes about sites to visit along the way. The journey to be a volunteer exploded into becoming a journalist, author and speaker as well. Read her story, chock-full of adventure and inspiration at: www.ctrpl.org/later-life-story-contest-winners.

CPL will also select a variety of other inspirational and touching entries to post on its website.

“This contest was a tremendous opportunity for us to validate why we are passionate about later-life living,” says William Zinke, founder and president of the Center for Productive Longevity. “People from all walks of life are doing amazing things and positively impacting the lives of others along the way. These two women serve as an inspiration for us all, illustrating that success can be achieved with perseverance and passion.”

For more information on CPL, visit www.ctrpl.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Company Contacts:
William K. Zinke or James R. Hooks
Center for Productive Longevity
303.499.3939
wzinke@ctrpl.org or jhooks@ctrpl.org

Media Contacts:
Jenny Foust or Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
303.433.7020
jfoust@csg-pr.com or ahassinger@csg-pr.com

About the Center for Productive Longevity:
The mission of CPL is to stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value. Visit ctrpl.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Last Call for Submissions to The Center for Productive Longevity’s Later-Life Story Contest

Win $1,000 for Sharing Your Successful Entrepreneurship or Inspirational Life Story Post-50

Boulder, CO, August 22, 2012 – With the deadline of August 31 quickly approaching, people 50 and older are encouraged to submit their story to the Center for Productive Longevity’s (CPL) Later-Life Story Contest as soon as possible. The contest has two categories: (1) Entrepreneurship Success Stories and (2) Inspirational Life Stories, with one winner in each category who will receive $1,000 and a specially designed display trophy. CPL has selected a panel of three independent judges who will choose one winner in each category, and their selections will be announced on October 1, 2012.

“We have received a number of fascinating entries and are excited to share these stories with people of all ages,” says William Zinke, 85, founder and president of Center for Productive Longevity. “However, we know that there are more people out there who are moving the needle, making a difference, inspiring others and bringing new businesses to life. We want to hear from you, too!”

With 30 years added to longevity in the 20th century, people are leading active and fulfilled lives into their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. The goal of this contest is to demonstrate that older people in America can continue to lead successful and inspirational lives. Once the contest deadline has passed, CPL will select a variety of entrepreneur success stories to post on its website, highlighting the stories of the two winners.

Entries should be under 1,200 words and are easy to submit. Visit www.ctrpl.org/laterlifestorycontest to complete a submission form. Entrants must be 50 and older and be willing to have their story posted on the CPL website for viewing and for possible publication. Stories may also be sent to James Hooks at jhooks@ctrpl.org.

For more information on CPL and the Later-Life Story Contest for older entrepreneurs, visit www.ctrpl.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

CPL is also currently working on the finishing touches for the next meetings in its “Spotlight on Entrepreneurship Opportunities for Baby Boomers” series. The meetings are designed to contribute to a national momentum for new-business creation, which enables Baby Boomers to remain productively engaged and also facilitates national economic growth.

The meetings, designed for people 50 and older, are being held at Babson College in Wellesley, MA on September 14, Northwestern University/Kellogg School of Management in Chicago on October 11, and the University of Denver on November 15. To register and view preliminary agendas, visit http://www.ctrpl.org/entrepreneurship-meeting/overview.

Company Contacts:
William K. Zinke or James R. Hooks
Center for Productive Longevity
303.499.3939
wzinke@ctrpl.org or jhooks@ctrpl.org

About the Center for Productive Longevity:
The mission of CPL is to stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value. Visit ctrpl.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303.433.7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

The Center for Productive Longevity Lowers Age Requirements for Later-Life Story Contest

Substantial Interest from Younger Age Bracket Results in Change to Competition; Now People 50 and Older can Apply

Boulder, CO, August 13, 2012 – The Center for Productive Longevity (CPL) has decided to expand the Later-Life Story Contest to include entries from people 50 and older, down from the 55+ age requirement, due to substantial interest expressed by people in that younger age bracket. While CPL generally focuses on people 55 and older, many people are also starting businesses and living inspirational lives within the prime years of 50-55. Over the course of the contest, CPL has received feedback asking for the age qualifications to be lowered and so CPL decided to honor that request.

A panel of three influential, highly regarded judges will select one winner in each of the following two categories: (1) Entrepreneurship Success Stories and (2) Inspirational Life Stories. The winners will each receive $1,000 and a specially designed trophy. From the entries, CPL will select a variety of entrepreneur success stories to post on its website, along with the stories of the two winners.

The essential purpose of this contest is to demonstrate that older people in America can continue to lead successful and inspirational lives. With 30 years added to longevity in the 20th century, people will be doing so into their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond.

The deadline to enter the contest is coming up quickly, August 31, 2012. CPL will announce the two winners on October 1, 2012.

To submit a story, visit www.ctrpl.org/laterlifestorycontest and complete a submission form. Entrants must be 50 and older and be willing to have their story posted on the CPL website for viewing and for possible publication. Stories may also be sent to James Hooks at jhooks@ctrpl.org.

For more information on CPL and the Later-Life Story Contest for older entrepreneurs, visit www.ctrpl.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Company Contacts:
William K. Zinke or James R. Hooks
Center for Productive Longevity
303.499.3939
wzinke@ctrpl.org or jhooks@ctrpl.org

Media Contacts:
Jenny Foust or Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
303.433.7020
jfoust@csg-pr.com or ahassinger@csg-pr.com

About the Center for Productive Longevity;
The mission of CPL is to stimulate the substantially increased engagement of people 55 and older in productive activities, paid and volunteer, where they are qualified and ready to continue adding value. Visit ctrpl.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CTRPL.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com