Ask HN: Success stories of older folks
4 comments
I don't know, but as a 40 year old entrepreneur myself, I feel like us "older" folks are more than competitive. I mean, I know I can do things now I couldn't have done at 20 or 25, just due to the difference in overall experience, domain knowledge, context, etc.
That's not to say that I specifically will wind up being a "success story", I'm just saying that I believe pretty strongly - in general - that older entrepreneurs can succeed. In fact, I'd say being older has a lot of advantages in general. The biggest downside for a lot of the older set seems to be this idea of "I have a wife, house, kids, etc., so I am now more risk averse or have less flexibility" or whatever. And there's possibly something to that, but since I have no house, kids or wife, I can't really relate.
That's not to say that I specifically will wind up being a "success story", I'm just saying that I believe pretty strongly - in general - that older entrepreneurs can succeed. In fact, I'd say being older has a lot of advantages in general. The biggest downside for a lot of the older set seems to be this idea of "I have a wife, house, kids, etc., so I am now more risk averse or have less flexibility" or whatever. And there's possibly something to that, but since I have no house, kids or wife, I can't really relate.
Three of us who began Payward/Kraken were all in the very late 20s - early 30s range a few years ago. Last round and the market say we're doing very well. A younger me previously started something in China which could certainly also been at this level if I didn't want to break up my youth around the planet a little more, but I have no regrets having done so. At 32 expecting my first child maybe the part of me that feels successful mostly feels that not in a monetary sense but a combination of stability/peace of mind, interesting work, and finally proving to myself and others that an unconventional path in life, believing in yourself, is feasible and rewarding. Definitely we learn different things as we mature... soft skills in particular... and there's value there that investors see.
Most people achieve success well past 30, actually entrepreneurs over the age of 55 are more likely to be successful than those under 55.
The reason why there are stories about successful 20 year olds is because its so rare.
The average of millionaires is 63 and billionaires is 60.
The reason why there are stories about successful 20 year olds is because its so rare.
The average of millionaires is 63 and billionaires is 60.
What about Post-Founder success?
Many successful Founders, aged-out and moved up the food-chain becoming rather successful investors-- among those, notably Paul Graham.
Many successful Founders, aged-out and moved up the food-chain becoming rather successful investors-- among those, notably Paul Graham.
(Note: I deliberately chose not to define how old 'old' is. I'm curious to see what folks here think.)