Do you think you’re too old to be an entrepreneur? Think again!
Being an entrepreneur seems synonymous with young innovative minds. And it’s hard to dispute that notion when the likes of Blake Ross, Mark Zuckerberg and David Karp took the business world by surprise in their late teens and early twenties.
Their success, as true of many young and accomplished entrepreneurs, may create doubt for many who are advanced in age. Doubts that they will never cut the mustard in any enterprise of their own. Such doubts, however, are negated by ample examples of people who became entrepreneurs later in life and were successful. One such person is the popular McDonalds owner, Ray Kroc, who started his business at 52 years of age. And there exist myriads of various entrepreneurs who began their enterprise after the age of 30—talk of the popular Mary Kay founder, Mary Kay Ash, who turned 45 before creating her brand.
Your experience, your edge
Experience is priceless and, indeed, an advantage for many business persons. Several individuals intentionally wait till they have accumulated a wealth of experience from working on several jobs, parenting, learning from mistakes before eventually starting something of their own.
Working over the years also affords you the opportunity to build a network of connections with many business owners and professionals in various fields. And you will find this set of people you’ve encountered over the years helpful as you start to build your enterprise.
You can be creative
Starting late never translates to failure. A creative and innovative mind is not limited to young ones. Both young and old can create solutions or brilliant business ideas. Charles Flint was 61 years old when he made IBM a reality, and Denise Coates was 32 when she founded the famous Bet365. Similar to the examples just cited, you can likewise be creative and build a business of your own.
A stable mindset
Streams of ideas flow through our minds, both young and old. As common to the younger generation, there is a higher tendency for them to jump at almost any idea they find creative and start to invest time and resources. And sometimes, due to a lack of enough knowledge about business models, their efforts may come to an abrupt end. Well, young ones have time, in fact, they’ve got plenty. More so, it’s their way of gathering experience.
When you are grown, you tend to see what young ones don’t. You see the bigger picture and can make informed decisions. Rather than jump at every opportunity and start pouring resources, you weigh every option and analyze which is more feasible.
For example, some lines of business are over-saturated. You will be able to know the downsides of such an over-saturated market and promptly switch to something less competitive. Young ones may know little about the importance of thoroughly evaluating an opportunity. They just feel, oh! “I’m good at this,” and they delve right into it. And while it’s true that they are good at it, the nature of the business may result in slowed or no growth.
Start-up is for everybody
A startup is for everyone, not just the young guys and ladies in their late teens or twenties. Even at 30 or 40 and beyond, you can create your startup. We all have the time, both young and old. However, you have an advantage over the younger folks- which is knowledge and capital.
Perhaps you’ve worked for a couple of firms and saved an ample sum of money over the years. It’s easy for you to invest and boost your startup with your savings. Plus, your knowledge in the past may come handy. For example, think of taking business loans. Many financial institutions are more inclined to give out Loans to individuals with good money flow and an excellent credit score, which you will have directly or indirectly built over the years.
Statistics
In the words of Paulo Coelho, “People are capable at any time in their lives of doing what they dream of.” This is true in the case of many individuals above 40 years of age. According to a research, business founders in their 40s have over the years proved to more successful in comparison to those in their early 20s.
It may surprise you to know that in about three million startups from 2007 to 2014, each of them employed someone above 40 years old. Professor Pierre Azoulay of MIT Sloan School of Management further gathered that not up to one percent of blooming businesses are founded by individuals in their early 20s. So, take a cue from this real-time statistics and let go of the myth. Join the league of people who are advanced in age and still working towards achieving their dreams. It’s true that youths have strength and vigor, but a business needs more than physical capability. So, never feel disadvantaged. Popular entrepreneur Bob Langer who is now 69 years old, has been able to contribute to over 40 businesses worth more than 100 million dollars each even in his old age.
Have a rethink
The thinking that only the younger generation can succeed at pursuing a new venture is an archaic line of reasoning you should get rid of. It’s true that the founder of some prosperous brands are young ones in their late teens and 20s. But it’s also correct that many older persons ventured into businesses and grew big.
Emulate people who never gave up on their dreams. People who even at old age started what has now become International businesses. Never feel you are out of time because you’re above 30 or 40 years of age. Age is just a number. It’s what you have to offer intellectually coupled with experience that matters the most. And that is the edge you have over the younger generation. Use it!
Thanks for this! It’s very insightful and encouraging!
You are welcome, it’s always my pleasure to be of help!
I agree. You don’t have to give up because your no longer 20/30. It’s all In the start and use your years of experience and knowledge to build a successful business.
I agree with you, skillset is all that matters!
Thanks Annetta
You are welcome, glad you found value in the post!
Hello i want to start out in real-estate investment but don’t know the 1st thing to do. These mentorship programs are so expensive. I can start with wholesale deals but how? Please help.
I wrote a free ebook that is called the hardcore facts about real estate investing, and I talked about how to find, fix, and flip a property and how to wholesale. You should download it using this link https://www.annettapowellrealestatesecrets.com
Also, you might want to join my online university through this link https://www.annettapowellonlineuniversity.com/store I hope this helps you to get your feet in the real estate business!
HI ANNETTE, I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU FOR AWHILE. I HAVE FEAR ISSUE’S. I WANT TO GET STARTED, BUT I’M AFRAID TO LOOSE THE MONEY I HAVE SAVED. I HAVE $200,000 BUT AT MY AGE I DON’T WANT TO START LOOSING MONEY, I’M 57 YRS OLD PLEASE HELP ME
I can understand your fears due to where you stand, I have an online university that I highly suggest you join! You can join from this link https://www.annettapowellonlineuniversity.com/store
So what about an older person with bad credit (currently in bankruptcy Chapter 13) trying to get a new start?
Just like some of the younger one starting with no money is this a possibility?
Yes it, but I’m not going to lie you will have to do a tremendous amount of work! But nothing is impossible
Yes, I’m struggling with the fact that I’m getting older and things are not happening for me right now, nevertheless, I’m never giving up. In fact I can’t wait to attend your seminar on Sept. 15th. I’ve already registered and I want to learn from the best! I will be successful before I leave this earth!
We all should leave this earth as successful people and fulfill all that we were sent to do. I hope found value in the webinar!
Yes, it’s me again, I sent 2 websites by mistake in the previous comment. Look forward to webinar on Sept 15!!!
Beautifully done, thanks for wisdom, knowledge and understanding that encourages us.
You are welcome, I’m always happy to provide value!
Hi, I feel really stuck right now when it comes to becoming an entrepreneur. All I wanna do is sell shoes, but where do I start? What license do I need? I have an online business but how do I draw traffic and make money? No one trusts a newbie if you haven’t been established for awhile.
All that I can advice is that you should take advantage of the free resources that we have online nowadays and learn!
I’m happy to know that I am not alone when it comes to thinking that I am too old to start something new. I took Annetta’s real estate course in July 2020, and I have not done anything with it yet. She stated that I can find, fix, and flip a house in 90 days. Well, I’m already a month behind because I do not have the income nor do I have a job to save the money to do the things that she has taught us in her class. I too feel stuck. I wish that oh hand help was available to me. Any suggestions Annetta please let me know.
Thanks.
Hi Veronica, I have a free coaching class that I do twice every month and I highly recommend that you join us this Sunday 11th at 1:00 PM EST. Did you receive the email for joining? Because if you bought my course then you are supposed to receive an email.