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Rebecca Ness – South Portland

Head Shot of Rebecca Ness

“You can make a difference in the life of another human being and that is both the purpose and reward of being a senior care advisor.”

The Decision

The decision to start my own business was quite simply a decision to make my passion my career. But making the business a reality was not so simple. It was both an exciting and daunting endeavor. How does one go about creating a startup business?

Early in 2013 I was considering a transition from my lifelong career in healthcare administration to one assisting seniors with the complexities of aging.  It began with my experience as the primary caregiver to each of my parents over several years. After advancing through multiple health issues, my father passed away. Nine months later my mother died. Along the way, they were required to move from their home to facilities which could provide increasingly higher levels of care. This experience and my service as a hospice volunteer led to the decision to help seniors and their families navigate the challenges of later life.

Learning How to Succeed Starting a Business

People who know me well encouraged me to start the business. One of those people was a graduate of the New Ventures Maine’s (NVME’s) Venturing Forth: Business Plan Training for Entrepreneurs. She said I would learn about the startup process and develop a business plan. What wonderful advice!

During the interview for the program I said I didn’t know what I didn’t know about starting a business and needed help. This big unknown is what became clear to me in the 12-week, 60-hour course. NVME provided me with in-depth content on every aspect of the startup process and helped me write a business plan that is the cornerstone for my business  Senior Planning Advisors, LLC.  An additional benefit I received in Venturing Forth was the bond formed with my classmates and the invaluable support they provided.

Achieving my DreamSenior Planning Advisors Logo

The convergence of my professional and personal lives has led to a business that allows me to provide services to seniors, elders, and family caregivers. My services allow them to make informed decisions and feel empowered, not overwhelmed, as they navigate life-stage transitions and later-life issues. As I continue to grow the business, the staff of NVME remain available for consultation and support. I am most grateful for that!

Spreading the Word about NVME Services

The NVME program gave me a roadmap to get my business up and running. Now I am pleased to serve as a NVME Ambassador. In this role I help promote NVME’s  tuition-free services for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and people in career transition.

 

ClassDateProgram AreaLocationRegion
Tax Readiness for the Self-Employed2024-04-02 April 02, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Success- Projecting Cash Flow2024-04-04 April 04, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Exploring Self-Employment2024-04-16 April 16, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE EveningStatewide
Work for Yourself@50+2024-04-25 April 25, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Grow Your Business Online – Prepare for Succ…2024-05-07 May 07, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Exploring Self-Employment2024-05-09 May 09, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Grow Your Business Online- Create My Site2024-05-14 May 14, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Grow Your Business Online-Promote My Site2024-05-21 May 21, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Tax Readiness for the Self-Employed2024-05-22 May 22, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Basics2024-05-08 May 08, 2024
(ends May 22, 2024)
Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Grow Your Business Online- Keep My Customers2024-05-28 May 28, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Work for Yourself@50+2024-05-29 May 29, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Success- Your Marketing Strategy2024-06-04 June 04, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Success- Pricing Strategies2024-06-06 June 06, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Success- Bookkeeping Solutions2024-06-11 June 11, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Business Success- Projecting Cash Flow2024-06-13 June 13, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Exploring Self-Employment2024-06-25 June 25, 2024Start a BusinessONLINE DaytimeStatewide
Grow Your Business Online2024-01-01 January 01, 2024
(ends June 30, 2024)
Start a BusinessONLINE AnytimeStatewide