Not at all! Wisdom (usually) comes with age.
You're also more likely to have a better partnership with someone young. My partner in my current startup is 55, and I'm 19. We get along great.
I'm looking to start a new project. =]
ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
21–30 of 46 posts
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#22Save your money, adjust your lifestyle to allow you to live on a lower spending rate. Make sure your wife is supportive of starting something. Take your time and find at least one partner. If you don't know them well do some smaller projects together first. Older entrepreneurs bring social capital, commitment, and an ability to focus and persist (See http://www.skmurphy.com/blog/2009/10/02/three-advantages-of-... )
That's great advice, Sean. I'd also add going to local groups like the one you host, Bootstrapper's Breakfasts. I went to one last year when I started a side project with a friend and got a lot of great feedback. Semi-regular meetups are the kind of thing that can help keep up the momentum over the long haul.
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#23Any entrepreneurs interested in co-founders contact me at selfsemploy AT gmail.com.
Location : bangalore
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#24Why do you want to an "entrepreneur"? What does that mean to you?
I don't see a passion for any particular project or idea in your question. I would expect that someone that really wanted to be an entrepreneur, right from their college days, would have moved in that direction somehow -- either by saving funds away so they could do it without disrupting their family, or by working on something on the side in their spare time.
Your question sounds more like it's coming from someone that likes the idea of being an entrepreneur, the 1990's version of, "I want to be an inventor too!" Being an entrepreneur means lots of long days; late or sleepless nights; lots of risk as you bank your welfare, and your family's, on the success of your new business. You don't have marketing or management experience, and those are helpful skills for someone trying to start a new small business.
The majority of startups fail, whether they're a local brick-and-mortar store or a webware-2.0 shindig. The odds are stacked against you. So, what will you do if it doesn't work out? What would you do differently to ensure that your outcome is more successful?
What do you dislike about what you're doing now? Is it just not "sexy" enough? Are you bored, or unchallenged? A side project, or a new job in your career, or even working for an established startup, would all be more logical choices than launching your own business.
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#25Any entrepreneurs interested in co-founders contact me at selfsemploy AT gmail.com. Location : bangalore
Have you checked http://www.swaroopch.com/blog/where-to-find-startup-jobs-in-...
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#26It's never too late. As most people have pointed out, most entrepreneurs are older than you expect. The kids who build successful businesses at 20 get all the press because they're the exception, not the rule.
There's lots of examples out there: Jay Adelson founded Digg at 34 and Revision3 at 35. William Hanna and Joe Barbera founded Hanna-Barbera Productions when they were both pushing fifty. You're never too old to get going.
I deeply believe this, because I'm in a similar boat (early thirties and married). Speaking from personal experience, your age will be an advantage more than an impediment. Age gives you experience, and hopefully some maturity and perspective as well. Those will serve you well in a new business venture.
Only one caveat - Make sure that your family is supportive. Starting a new business is a roller coaster, and it helps immeasurably to have the emotional backup. If your wife isn't on board with the idea, then take time to win her over before you take the plunge.
Now, go out there and do it! The only thing holding you back at this point is you.
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#27It's never too late. As most people have pointed out, most entrepreneurs are older than you expect. The kids who build successful businesses at 20 get all the press because they're the exception, not the rule. There's lots of examples out there: Jay Adelson founded Digg at 34 and Revision3 at 35. William Hanna and Joe Barbera founded Hanna-Barbera Productions when they were both pushing fifty. You're never too old to…
Jay Adelson founded Digg?
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#28It's never too late. As most people have pointed out, most entrepreneurs are older than you expect. The kids who build successful businesses at 20 get all the press because they're the exception, not the rule. There's lots of examples out there: Jay Adelson founded Digg at 34 and Revision3 at 35. William Hanna and Joe Barbera founded Hanna-Barbera Productions when they were both pushing fifty. You're never too old to…
Jay Adelson founded Digg?
Co-founded. My understanding is that Kevin Rose had the idea, and Adelson helped bring it to fruition.
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#29First things first:
There are too many checklists out there for telling you what it takes to be an entrepreneur, I am not talking about them.
Do you believe beyond criticism, reason and logic that you have what it takes to be an entreprenreneur??
If the answer is yes, read on. Be sure about it or you will regret this.
I think a good idea will be to take it slow. A phased migration over a time period of year+.
phase1: For a few months at the start, maintain a status quo at current job just keep working right, but change your spending, living and saving habits. Meanwhile prepare your family for the change, slowly. You have lived too long under the cozy umbrella of constant and guaranteed paycheck at the end of every month, that has to change over to a not so persistent income and amounting only to live well and keep the kids just happy. Yes, as someone pointed out, convince and take along your spouse through this transition. Encourage her to take up a job if she is not already doing so. Save money.
phase2: Save more money :-) Then move over to part time, at the same organization if they respect your work or some other organization. You can look at freelancing also, but that a different game, you will have to build that image slowly. Consider yourself lucky if you get good gigs at the start, which is not usually the case. Meanwhile, during this 2nd phase transition, start developing a small fun/serious project or for open source in your part time. As Gary[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhqZ0RU95d4] says: work 9-5, come home, spend an hour with the kids and then 7-1 is enough time to do damage. Second pointer will be start attending dev and entrepreneur unconferences[barcamp, headstart, etc], speak up, listen, you might make a few friends there who can appreciate what you know and vice versa. Do small weekend hackathons with them, to know them more. Not all weekends, some, spend the rest with the family. Hopefully one of these friends will be the one you found your first venture with. Zero on some idea that you are passionate about and a partner who shares the passion and vision. Starting out alone is not usually encouraged, but not ruled out. Start developing a proof of concept and talk to people about it and get feedback. Once you are sure that "this is it" and you have saved enough money for you and your family for 1year, or your spouse earnings will help in that.
phase3: Get in ramen mode. """Startup!!"""
Now you are on a complete uncertain rollercoaster. No turning back. Remember this is a result of the "choice" you made not something that was forced on you, so persevere and may the luck with you.
You can shuffle a few things in the phases. :-)
Hope that helps.
Re: ASK HN: I'm lost -- need direction
#30Why do you want to an "entrepreneur"? What does that mean to you? I don't see a passion for any particular project or idea in your question. I would expect that someone that really wanted to be an entrepreneur, right from their college days, would have moved in that direction somehow -- either by saving funds away so they could do it without disrupting their family, or by working on something on the side in their spa…
PASSION ! The number one pre-requisite. Of course, you need to identify a problem/need/want AND work out how to monetize. If you don't have customers you don't have a business.
So instead of wanting to be an entrepreneur, starting being more aware, find a problem that really get's you going, solve it, tell the world about it and charge them when they turn up. Being passionate and making a difference is what's really important, not some label that you stick on yourself to impress people at cocktail parties.