“When many women are looking forward to their retirement, a new breed of ‘olderpreneurs’ are starting up their own businesses instead.” Lucy Ward reports. Read the full Ladies who launch article. Includes several case studies and quotes from Everywoman and London Metropolitan University’s Forward at 50 programme for women.

Two thirds (67 per cent) of sole traders have no plans for the future of their businesses in the event that they become incapacitated or die, according to research conducted by MORI for Barclays Financial Planning. Planning for such contingencies is more common among those over the age of 55, but even among this age - – - read more >

Tax changes announced in Gordon Brown’s March 2007 Budget will make little difference to most self-employed people this year, but herald a major shake-up starting April 2008. The abolition next year of the 10 per cent income tax rate means that those on low incomes – which will include many engaged in starting a new - – - read more >

Friday 30th March 2007, from 1pm to 4pm Halton Community Partnership Trust, The Old Police Station, Mersey Rd, Runcorn, WA7 1DF Streetmap If you have a business idea or would like to start up your own business, then come along to this FREE start up information session. It’s run by Halton Borough Council, in partnership - – - read more >

You’ll never know if you don’t try. EnterQuest, the excellent free enterprise newsletter from Cobweb, has a useful summary of the awards and competitions announced so far this year.  As EnterQuest says, though applying for an award can be a distraction, it can also be an excellent way of benchmarking your business and generating some PR. - – - read more >