BabyBoomerGold.com Aims to Flex Influence and Buying Power
A Central Oregon entrepreneur is looking to strike a rich vein of opportunity for the country’s largest demographic group with the launch of new web-based enterprise BabyBoomerGold.com.
The initiative is the brainchild of J. Kimo Dejon, who is mobilizing efforts for a better deal – both economically and politically – for the approximately 77 million people in the U.S. who form part of the “Baby Boomer” generation, defined as those born between 1946 and 1964.
Dejon, who originally hails from Hawaii and moved to Bend in 1991, has launched several successful businesses and previously worked as an international consultant bringing tech-centric companies into the Pacific Rim. Most recently, he owned and operated Aloha Blinds & Designs, which he grew into a five-state provider of window and door treatments over the last decade before selling the company in December last year.
Dejon said: “When the business sale was going through, I knew I wanted to start a new project and the inspiration came to me that I would like to do something for Baby Boomers – of which I am one – who represent such a significant part of the population but whose voice is not always heard above the noise of special interest groups.
“The idea incubated until I formulated a business model and name, and the aim is for BBG to be the gold standard dedicated to and focused on this demographic. This is a new, bold, collaborative and personally rewarding opportunity founded and developed by Baby Boomers to provide an organization that meets our generational challenges and needs.”
Dejon said he feels that the country is in something of a “state of turmoil” and has wandered off the path that the Founding Fathers had intended, in terms of a broad complexion of people living harmoniously, to the extent that over the last decade or so “discord has risen above civility,” with state and federal government turning a deaf ear to Baby Boomer concerns.
Not only is the demographic group the largest proportion of the population, it is also the wealthiest in the U.S., and, for example, Dejon says the segment is responsible for more than half of the nation’s consumer spending, 80 percent of leisure travel and 77 percent of all prescription drugs.
Dejon is also looking to flex that financial muscle through a discount program offered to BBG members via business alliance partners, with the only obligation for individuals to join being an annual membership fee of less than $20.
He added: “This organization is being developed, launched and maintained as a company designed to partner with vendors, companies, political allies and agencies to provide the ultimate in care, support and provision for the Baby Boomer generation in all aspects of life.
“The goal is that thousands of business alliance partners in all fifty states will offer from 5-20 per cent discounts on all products and services in the marketplace for BBG members.
“Additionally, BBG will align itself with political allies from both sides of the aisle – regardless of affiliation. Advocacy underwritten by BBG will support Baby Boomers for the continuation of entitlements, benefits, values and rights which have long been paid for and deserved.
“The collective voice of almost 77 million Americans of every background will help steer this country back onto the right path and ensure that our leaders clearly understand who is at the helm of our future and of this great country.”
Dejon said an important facet of the group was to stand up to perceived potential threats to hard-earned benefits, adding that he himself had been paying into Social Security since 1969 and along with many others was entitled to his “return on investment” upon maturity of entitlements.
Should such programs be abandoned, there should also at least be representation to, for instance, fight for reimbursement of the actual invested dollars “with reasonable interest.”
Along with advocacy for agencies to recognize a concerted voice, and having members help direct charitable contributions, the other prong of BBG’s stated charter is to align with business alliance partners to offer significant discounts on products and services, especially relevant in light of ongoing challenging economic conditions.
Dejon envisages a wide swath of alliances offering discounts to those identified as BBG members in everything from air travel to hotels, restaurants, medical services and a host of other products and services, adding: “We can drive a large portion of the Baby Boomer bloc to vendors, and businesses of every segment will be able to capture a significant proportion of the population.”
Dejon said the fledgling enterprise has been overwhelmingly enthusiastically received thus far and he is gearing up for an early April official launch, including a radio, TV and social media campaign in Central Oregon as the initial test market.
He added: “We want to be part of creating a groundswell of positive change, and our overriding charter is to serve Baby Boomers and enhance the quality of life during the so-called ‘golden years’ by flexing our influence and purchasing power!”
www.babyboomergold.com
