Retirees from public service: the journey to small enterprise ownership

ABSTRACT This paper explores entrepreneurial activities and experiences. We do this to develop an understanding of the experiences and needs of a specific subgroup of entrepreneurs. We present insights from the silver economy based on the experiences of nine entrepreneurs who became entrepreneurs retiring from the public service. Data were collected in extended face-to-face interviews. The findings represent a detailed biography of each entrepreneur. The emergence of the silver economy provides opportunities for small enterprise development. The retirees who participated in this study are particularly well placed to pursue an entrepreneurial journey. They have key advantages in terms of access to resources and expertise, which are vital to entrepreneurship. In addition, they have both the capacity and the desire to continue working. We conclude that there is a need for tailored information; designated contact points; customized training and provisions in the revenue and welfare system to negate any impacts on pensions and other entitlements.