5 Entrepreneurs Who Started (Really) Late and Finished Great
Entrepreneurship is for the young. After all you need energy, stamina, relentless focus, and the most important thing, time on your side. Bullshit! The key to successful entrepreneurship is simply doing it. Regardless of age or circumstance, when the opportunity presents itself, you must go for it. Here are the stories of five “golden year entrepreneurs”, who have effectively made the gold for themselves.
Jack Weil, Age 107 d. Aug 2008
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Jack A. Weil passed away on August 13, 2008 at the age of 107. The fact he lived to the ripe old age of 107 is impressive. The fact that he was still the chief executive of the company he founded and working 40+ hours a week until his final days is plain old amazing. In 1946, he formed Rockmount, a western high fashion clothing retailer that continues to manufacturer it’s shirts in the US after many competitors moved offshore. Achieving historical fame, various accounts state Mr. Weil either invented the modern bolo tie or named it. His secret to heath, wealth and happiness? “He loved his work.” |
Poppy Bridger, Age 84
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After working as a PhD chemist for 45 years, Poppy Bridger, retired at the age of 69 to care for her ailing mother. But her 72nd birthday gift was an opportunity to buy and operate the lab she had worked at. With about $250K in savings, back to work she went! On any given day, you will find Bridger testing the authenticity of a precious heirloom or analyzing the properties of metal fatigue. To help with the growing work load at the lab, she has subsequently hired her son and daughter to work with her. She goes to work every day, and at the age of 84 is bringing into the business about $350K annually. |
Colonel Harland Sanders, Age 90 d. Dec 1980
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The world famous Colonel Sanders launched his business at the age of 65, using his first Social Security check as start up funds. A master of personal branding, Sanders leveraged his honorary “Colonel” title and constantly wore the stereotypical “southern gentleman” white-suit and black tie. The rocket like growth of KFC is now legendary, and prior to his death Colonel Sanders’ restaurant chain had achieved over 6,000 locations with sales of more than $2 billion. During his entrepreneurial tenure Sanders met with the U.S. Congressional Committee of Aging and spoke against mandatory retirement, highlighting the love for work and the value of wisdom in the work place. Not a bad run, old chap! Not bad at all. |
Barbara Miller, Age 74
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Being an entrepreneur was never really a consideration in Barbara Miller’s life. After quitting her job in the paper industry after 30 years of service, she assumed she was done. But as she packed her stuff, her former colleagues begged her to start a new business… so she did. In January of 1995, Miller opened the doors to Miller Paper Company and started with $300K in savings and 15 employees. Today the business is generating over $7M in annual revenue and has been on D&B’s list of the nation’s fastest growing companies. Business has not been a walk in the park, to say the least. Miller started her company and was immediately sued by her former employer. A few months later she struggled with ovarian cancer. |
Sylvia Lieberman, Age 91
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Sylvia Lieberman became an entrepreneur in fall 2007 when she was 90. This is when she realized her dream of having her first children’s book published. So why not start a company to author and promote the book? Archibald’’s Swiss Cheese Mountain is an award-winning book about a little mouse with a big heart who teaches children how to reach their big dreams. Not only is she an entrepreneur, but a philanthropic one! A portion of the proceeds goes to two children’s charities. Despite her age, Sylvia works tirelessly promoting her book at book-signings and readings, TV appearances, radio and print interviews, and even appeared on a float in a parade. And all these efforts increase the amount she donates to charities. |
By Mike Michalowicz, Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
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Tags: golden year entrepreneurs, late start entrepreneurs, old entrepreneurs, silver entrepreneurs
December 30th, 2008
This should be an inspiring post for all those who feel that they’re stuck at work and missed the boat on entrepreneurship!
December 30th, 2008
This is inspiring.
I’d like to see a post where they start up with no money and bad credit. Can that be done?
December 30th, 2008
thanks for reminding me that i am still “young”!
December 30th, 2008
Great article, worth reading. Inspirational stories about entreprenairship.
December 30th, 2008
I love this post. It is NEVER too late to start a business!
December 30th, 2008
Churchill said it best…. Never, Never, Never, Give Up.
- Mike
December 30th, 2008
Wow, now I feel young. I second admin’s quotation, “Never, Never, Never, Give Up.”
Thanks for starting my afternoon on a high note.
December 30th, 2008
Nice post – Sylvia should also create a company on how to look like 58 at age 91! She looks great! All of them are an inspiration.
December 30th, 2008
I read this twice and went back to a great memory of breakfast with a 84 yr old Boulder serial entrepreneur as well as my wife’s grandma and her brothers. You might like the short thread yourself called “wisdom of 100 years experience”
http://www.yourbrandplan.com/forum/leadership-brand/129-wisdom-100-yrs-experience.html
December 30th, 2008
indeed, this is an inspiring story.. I’ve been running my own business for 2-long-exhausting years, but I know what to do. And that is to do my best in every aspects.
I say this is a great article, I feel lucky that I started earlier than those who were mentioned.
December 30th, 2008
[...] an excuse for these folks. Then I read an excellent post by the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur about 5 Entrepreneurs Who Started (Really) Late and Finished Great. What an inspiration! Life is good! The post automatically brought me back just a few years to a [...]
December 30th, 2008
Yes truly inspirational. Go find us more stories like these Scott!!!
December 30th, 2008
Great stories, and it just proves that you are never too old to learn and grow, and you are never too old to be of service to the world. I started my own website development company in my late 30s, and have never been happier or more fullfilled. I also find that many of my clients appreciate the fact that I took the time to learn my craft and built up a base of knowledge to be of real service to them.
December 30th, 2008
[...] I can’t stand people in their late 20’s to mid 40’s who keep saying they can’t start a business, pursue their passion, etc. b/c they’re too old. Tell that to THESE people. [...]
December 30th, 2008
My father tells a funny story about aging.
From 20 to 30 they say “you look great.”
From 30 to 50 they say “you’ve still got it.”
From 50 to 70 they say “you’ve got beautiful kids”
From 70 to dead they say “you look great.”
December 30th, 2008
@Coleen I will keep them coming!
December 31st, 2008
This is the way I like to start my day …. INSPIRED!
December 31st, 2008
awesome way to start the New Year
we too started late and would love to be a showcase of success thanks again.
N~
http://www.recipecarousel.com
December 31st, 2008
I’m a late bloomer, too. I think the blooming part is what it’s all about.
December 31st, 2008
Really awesome 5 stories and very inspirational as well. Just goes to show you, if you have a dream you should follow it no matter what. No excuses.
December 31st, 2008
Great post, Mike. Thanks for reminding us/the world that it’s never too late to do something great, follow your dreams, and/or launch a new venture. Youth is wasted on the young.
January 8th, 2009
[...] Michalowicz writes The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur blog and he recently provided a list of people who started their businesses after age 70.
January 12th, 2009
[...] check out Mike Michalowicz’s blog post about five entrepreneurs who got late starts but were quite successful (including Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC). My colleague Jean Murray also has a recent post on this [...]
April 19th, 2009
I googled Late Starters and got a few stories about people aged 30/40 who wrote a book or suchlike – I was getting a bit dismayed when I came across this site – it has really given me a boost
April 20th, 2009
@Diarmuid – Happy you found it. It truly is NEVER too late.
April 23rd, 2009
[...] (a children’s book) won a prestigious award! Major respect to all of them. Huge inspiration. The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur | 5 Entrepreneurs Who Started (Really) Late and Finished Great "The FastLane is not about having money, it’s about providing yourself the ability to be [...]
April 30th, 2009
This is all so inspiring especially after finding out that most of our retirement was lost in the stock market. Now I know that even though I do have to work until I am 112 it can be successful and enjoyable.
May 29th, 2009
[...] Really? Did you know that Ray Kroc started McDonalds and Colonel Sanders started KFC after they turned 45? Sam Walton opened Wal-Mart at the age of 44. If this is your excuse, read this article and you’ll immediately change your mind: http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/entrepreneurs-who-start-late-and-finish-great [...]