The Louisiana Small Business Development Center offers help and support to businesses that provide services to senior citizens, according to Virendra Chhikara, director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC).
Chhakara said the LSBDC can provide business guidance to senior citizens who want to start a business.
“We can guide them through the process if they’re looking for financial options,” said Chhikara.
Anita Sharma, program director of Gerontology at the University of Louisiana Monroe, explained that the senior citizen population will rise in the coming years.
“We have the senior population that is growing by the day,” said Anita Sharma. “In the next 10 years, we will have twice the number of senior citizens.”
Chhakara explained that businesses that target the senior population need to understand their targeted audience in order to be successful.
“You need to understand the mindset, how can you target them. What are the requirements?” said Chhikara. “As a business, the number one thing you should be careful about is, are you fulfilling the need of what your population is going after.”
Chhakara emphasized connecting with customers on an emotional level when creating a marketing plan.
“If you can do that, you will have a very loyal customer ship because that’s the biggest change coming to the marketing world,” said Chhakara. “The young generation coming in, they are not loyal to the plan.”
The LSBDC office ius located on campus at the University of Louisiana Monroe.
