The desire to deepen her knowledge in business development and marketing motivated Rasa to participate in the Innovation Agency’s Silver Economy Accelerator, which aims to help people over 50 realize and grow their business ideas.
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Love of nature inspired starting a new business
The idea to develop a space where people could find quality relaxation, new experiences, and a chance to unwind surrounded by nature came to Rasa and Mantas three years ago, when they started thinking about the potential of their family’s 5-hectare plot near Vilnius. The plot, which had previously been used to grow buckwheat, seemed perfectly suited for a recreational area. So the family, who loves nature and active leisure, decided to try to create it and offer an attractive environment and unconventional accommodation services to those seeking quality rest.
“Although we have been in business for 15 years in total, this project was a completely new field and experience. So we had to learn a lot from scratch, and every step was full of challenges. We started by creating a pond, then built three tipis with terraces and basic amenities. Thanks to fireplaces inside the tipis, it is possible to stay overnight not only in summer but also in the cold season. We fully transformed the plot into an experiential tourism, relaxation, and education space in nature,” says R. Jakovonienė.
Training provided confidence
This required a lot of effort, but to develop a successful business, just taking care of the environment and infrastructure is not enough – you need to work on the business model, brand, defining target audiences, and marketing. After hearing from a colleague about the Silver Economy Accelerator, Rasa decided to participate and give the family recreation business a stronger foundation.
“Participating in the program was truly a great experience – the training helped better define the target customer audience and the message we want to reach them with. I also gained a lot of knowledge about marketing and communication on social networks. The program also allowed me to refresh some knowledge and look at certain aspects of business development in a new way. So the accelerator was really useful, and the homework done during it allows me to think more boldly about the development of ‘Briedžio sapnas’,” says R. Jakovonienė.
This year, the entrepreneurial family plans to complete the construction of three sauna houses on the premises. Additionally, this year “Briedžio sapnas” launched a meat smoking education program based on old traditions. During it, Rasa’s husband Mantas shares meat smoking knowledge passed down from his grandfather, which he now nurtures together with his father. In the future, more enriching activities and educational programs are planned to be offered to guests.
New ideas arose from interacting with other participants
According to Rasa, no less important than the acquired knowledge are the new contacts made during the accelerator and the supportive community. Talking with other program participants sparked new ideas and possible joint initiatives.
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“A certain circle of contacts has formed, and being part of the community is already yielding results. For example, after talking with one program participant, the idea arose to move in the direction of social business – we have already signed a contract to implement an educational project for children with special needs. We plan to devote a lot of attention to social and educational directions in the future as well,” says R. Jakovonienė.
Finally, according to Rasa, the program allowed her to once again realize that there are truly many active and entrepreneurial people in Lithuania. The entrepreneur says she collected quite a few business cards and intends to use the services of several businesses introduced. The “Briedžio sapnas” space also attracted interest from other participants. So, Rasa believes, the accelerator is also a great platform for networking and an opportunity to spread the word about oneself more widely.
The accelerator is coming to 7 more Lithuanian cities
The second cycle of the Innovation Agency’s Silver Economy Accelerator will start this fall, with training taking place in Tauragė, Jurbarkas, Mažeikiai, Šakiai, Šalčininkai, Lazdijai, and Anykščiai. Indrė Gendroliūtė-Gerulienė, head of the Regional Business Transformation Department at the Innovation Agency, says the program consistently attracts significant interest, showing that age is definitely not a barrier to entrepreneurship.
“Due to demographic trends, the silver economy plays an increasingly important role in many developed countries. Therefore, it is important to empower older people to actively participate in economic life, encourage them to implement their business ideas, and support and provide practical assistance in developing them. This is exactly what the Silver Economy Accelerator is focused on – it provides the practical knowledge needed for business development, helps overcome the specific business challenges of each participant, and helps build the business faster and move on the path of growth,” says I. Gendroliūtė-Gerulienė.
The Silver Economy Accelerator is intended for representatives of small and medium-sized businesses aged 50 and over, as well as individuals in this age group who have a business idea. The training is free, and registration is possible through the contacts provided on the Innovation Agency’s website.
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