.5 million Salary in 2011: 0,000 His advice for you: \"Look at industry trends in your community. Listen and pay attention to what\'s going on in the market.\" " />Successful baby-boomer entrepreneurs - Expect long days (1) - CNNMoney
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    Successful baby-boomer entrepreneurs

    See how 10 baby-boomer entrepreneurs reignited their careers by going into business for themselves.

    Expect long days
    Expect long days
    Jim Milligan, 59
    Traverse City, Mich.

    Worked for: Imation & 3M Company, as a general manager

    Started in 2007: Fustini's, an oil and vinegar tasting room and bottling shop that now has 32 employees.

    Milligan was intrigued by the success of such businesses in Europe. So he conducted elaborate market research to see if there would be demand for a similar store in the U.S.

    Startup costs: $100,000
    Revenue in 2011: $2.5 million
    Salary in 2011: $150,000

    His advice for you: "Look at industry trends in your community. Listen and pay attention to what's going on in the market."


    By Donna Rosato @Money - Last updated May 22 2012: 12:24 PM ET
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    • jsobrien1, Yesterday 07:23 PM

      Successful outcomes tend to look obvious and inevitable only in retrospect. Here's a guy who took a chance with his own money at a time in his life and career when every dollar was especially precious, and through hard work made a risky investment pan-out. Gambles take courage, and for that -- even more than for his business savvy -- entrepreneurs such as Jim Milligan deserve all our applause.

      More power...

      show more
    • Zutronic, 05/22/2012 01:58 AM

      Lots of hard work, long hours, dedication, persistence, paying attention to relevant markets and learning whatever is necessary; opportunities still exist.

      show more show less
    • ElChino, 05/20/2012 10:34 AM

      Anyone can do it. Read and learn - some valuable advice here.

      show more show less
    • David Mills, 05/20/2012 07:45 AM

      Weatherman1 is right if only the fortunate were not so greedy with there contacts. maybe even share lending secrets oh like start up costs from a rich buddy or contracts from the good old boy Richy rich network. I was born and raised in in farm country Iowa with nothing, 1 marriage later I'm able to do things I only dreamed about or wished for. Be leave me they are simple dreams family...

      show more
      susan l liked this
    • weatherman1, 05/19/2012 11:22 AM

      "Cindy Conde, a former bank VP, started a high-end clothing store. Tips for 10 who did it."

      Tip #1: ...BE A FORMER BANK VP!

      show more show less
    • CarDude, 05/17/2012 07:53 PM

      I agree with both comments. Most people seem to think anything past age 35 is too old to do anything. Those people live a very limited life and use their age to justify it. You have to be organized and swim against the current to start a business. It's easier, not smarter, to wait for the government to send an entitlement check because... you're older. Whatever, happened to American spirit?...

      show more
    • WildcatCreek, 05/17/2012 03:51 PM

      What is the big deal here. I did startups 57 and 66, and both are doing well.

      show more show less
      3 people liked this.
    • LC23489, 05/17/2012 04:28 PM in reply to WildcatCreek

      The big deal is that most people who read this article will say that these folks had some kind of "super advantage" that no one else could have and that is the only reason why they were successful. The reality is that these entrepreneurs, rather than sit back and blame others for any misfortune in their lives, decided to take advantage of every opportunity available to them. They took a chance and...

      show more

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