Are You Too Old To Be An Entrepreneur? (Infographic)

Just think about it, are you really too old to be an entrepreneur? Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, was 52 and a milkshake-machine salesman when he opened his very first McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. So if you’re in your 40s, or even 50s, there’s still time to start your own business and become a highly successful entrepreneur.

Obviously, Hollywood likes to portray entrepreneurs that are in their early 20s and look like Mark Zuckerberg. This stereotype may appeal to a lot of people but this is only one side of the entrepreneurial world. So, for all of you who are currently 30 years or older and have not started your own business, remember the following: it’s never too late for success.

To “prove” this statement, I’ve listed below a few famous entrepreneurs who have started their entrepreneurial journey later in life:

Ray Kroc, Founder of McDonald’s – Sold paper cups and milkshake mixers until he was 52
Mary Kay Ash, Founder of Mary Kay – Sold books and home decor objects until she was 45
Harland Sanders, Founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) -Started at the age of 65 and built a global empire
Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks Owner – A bartender at his own bar until 25
Suze Orman, Finance Guru – A waitress until the age of 30
Harrison Ford, Actor – A carpenter until he was in his 30s
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter Author – A single mom on welfare until 31

Looking for entrepreneurial opportunities and ideas?

Here’s the good news: If you’ve worked for a while, chances are you have learned a few valuable things about life and business that will be helpful by the time you launch your own business.

It’s never too late to become an entrepreneur

Anna Vital from the San Francisco-based startup organization Funders and Founders created a handy infographic with examples of entrepreneurs who launched their ideas and businesses later in life.

What is it that holds you back from starting your own business?

For most people, the answer is quite simple: FEAR.

Fear of failure is a common one. The fear of messing things up gets you stuck in the “status quo” (a dirty word for most entrepreneurs). Than there’s the fear of success. Will success change you, and your relationships with your family, and friends? Maybe, nobody knows. But is that such a bad thing?

Change is inevitable if you want to grow and evolve as a human being. You have to start being comfortable with the uncomfortable in order to succeed. It all comes down to expanding your comfort zone.

So, what’s holding you back from becoming an entrepreneur? What’s your biggest fear?