The Overlooked Advantage of Starting a Company Later in Life

"Colonel Sanders was 62 when he opened the first KFC franchise. Laura Ingalls Wilder had her first Little House novel published at 65. The more meaningful your life's work is, the less likely it is to conform to a predictable timeline. Predictions are based on patterns, and the greatest achievements break patterns to offer the world something new."

"According to reporting from OCI Insights, 97% of founders have full-time work experience before they start their companies. Just 3% start without it. Spending time in the world helps you recognize what problems still need solutions and how to take advantage of those opportunities."

"Your best ideas can take decades to develop and come from unexpected twists of fate. Experience gained in one venture can unlock opportunities in another, often in unexpected ways, turning past work into a key advantage for later entrepreneurial success."

Starting a business at any age is achievable, as demonstrated by Colonel Sanders launching KFC at 62 and Laura Ingalls Wilder publishing her first novel at 65. Most successful founders have extensive full-time work experience before launching ventures, with 97% having prior employment. Early career experiences build essential skills, industry insight, and problem-solving abilities that become competitive advantages. Ideas often develop over decades through unexpected opportunities and life experiences. Rather than being a disadvantage, age and accumulated experience provide perspective on market problems and solutions. Success rarely comes from first ventures; most entrepreneurs develop their breakthrough ideas after years in their respective industries, turning accumulated knowledge into eight-figure enterprises.

Read at Entrepreneur