Myths about entrepreneurs

#1

Post by ilamont » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 12:50 AM UTC

Myths about entrepreneurs
washingtonpost.com

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#2

Post by michaelpinto » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 1:27 AM UTC

As someone in his 40s who finished college and is located in silicon valley may I say THANK YOU!

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#3

Post by awaz » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 1:29 AM UTC

I read few weeks back in Y Combinator FAQ page that the average age of Y Combinator funded entrepreneurs is 26. Vivek's survey found the average age of founders to be 40. It would be interesting to know the average age of Y Combinator applicants.

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#4

Post by dm_mongodb » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 1:45 AM UTC

I've been an entrepreneur a long time and my take is:

1. Not a myth! Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, Foursquare, ... There are counterexamples but certainly plenty of young ones. I'm 40+ now so no bias. :-) 2. Correct, myth. I could teach you to be an entrepreneur if you wanted to be one. 3. Myth 4. Myth. Gilt Groupe a good example. 5. Myth

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#5

Post by dmor » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 1:51 AM UTC

I think another myth is that the majority of companies are started in the Bay Area. That might be true for tech, but for entrepreneurship overall in the U.S. I bet the Bay accounts for 10-15% tops.... does anyone have numbers? (I'm searching, but if you read regularly and have found some numbers please let me know)

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#6

Post by georgieporgie » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 2:11 AM UTC

America’s typical tech entrepreneurs are in their 20s.

It seems to me that media is absolutely in love with this notion. The scrappy, brilliant kid who's going to change your world (e.g. Diaspora). Why is that?

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#7

Post by rednaught » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 2:18 AM UTC

georgieporgie wrote: post #6

America’s typical tech entrepreneurs are in their 20s. It seems to me that media is absolutely in love with this notion. The scrappy, brilliant kid who's going to change your world (e.g. Diaspora). Why is that?

Unbridled optimism and naiveté? I certainly have much less of it now that I'm in my late 30s.

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#8

Post by Cmccann7 » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 2:19 AM UTC

georgieporgie wrote: post #6

America’s typical tech entrepreneurs are in their 20s. It seems to me that media is absolutely in love with this notion. The scrappy, brilliant kid who's going to change your world (e.g. Diaspora). Why is that?

The media in general loves to fit stories into archetypal stories that are easily digested by audiences. The 20 year old scrappy kid fits right into the "David vs. Goliath" archetype, people love to hear stories about someone winning against all odds.

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#9

Post by ForrestN » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 2:27 AM UTC

I'm not sure that when people say "you're born with it," they mean literally that it's genetic. I think they mean that it's innate, in whatever makes up a person's personality by the time they might be starting a business. Thinking that business acumen can't be taught isn't disproven by analyzing family history.

That said, I think most of what matters can be taught!

Re: Myths about entrepreneurs

#10

Post by pagekalisedown » Mon, Aug 01, 2011, 3:04 AM UTC

rednaught wrote: post #7

georgieporgie wrote: post #6

America’s typical tech entrepreneurs are in their 20s. It seems to me that media is absolutely in love with this notion. The scrappy, brilliant kid who's going to change your world (e.g. Diaspora). Why is that?

Unbridled optimism and naiveté? I certainly have much less of it now that I'm in my late 30s.

If I have to choose between joining a start-up populated with 20yos vs 30+yos, it's no contest.

For me, it's been the difference between shipping and being stuck in development hell forever.

The older crowd wins hands-down.