encore careers Considering going solo in the workforce? You should! I f you're like most Americans over 50, you plan to work after retirement in some capacity. You may even be considering changing the way you work and going into business for yourself. Where once that would have been considered a dream job and beyond the realm of reality, thanks to advances in technological innovation, it's not so remote an idea to work "remotely." Here are a few reasons why the solo workforce isn't a fad: Mobile and online applications use of cloud computing make it easier than ever to work from home or anywhere. Your "opening act" into the workforce probably involved being tied to a traditional work arrangement. You may have worked in an office or a school. But your "second act" need not tie you to any specific location, allowing you more flexibility and time for the important things in life like time with your grandkids. Apps like Experfy, Handy and 99designs make it easy to source services and products in an instant from people in the area and around the globe. A 2015 report from the Freelancers Union and Upwork found that 51% of the freelancers surveyed had gotten a project online, up from 42% the year prior. The technology empowers you to get into business with little or no infrastructure investment, and turns anyone with a mobile device or computer into a potential 6 GRAND JULY AUGUST 2017 " " As we age, it's more important than ever to take good care of our eyes...https://www.twitter.com/grandMmagazine https://www.facebook.com/GRANDmagazine/ https://www.vspdirect.com/?utm_source=GRANDmedia&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=gig_economy&utm_content=GRAND_magazine https://www.upwork.com/press/2015/10/01/freelancers-union-and-upwork-release-new-study-revealing-insights-into-the-almost-54-million-people-freelancing-in-america/ https://www.upwork.com/press/2015/10/01/freelancers-union-and-upwork-release-new-study-revealing-insights-into-the-almost-54-million-people-freelancing-in-america/