[HN Gopher] Ask HN: 50yo too old to start software company?
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       Ask HN: 50yo too old to start software company?
        
       Posting from a throwaway. I am 50 and I have been running a small
       software company for 15 years. At the peak it had 7 employees. Then
       for 5 years I was traveling. The company sort of fizzled out. I am
       pretty good at programming and can program fast, in whatever
       language (Rust, C, etc). I have an apartment in SF and I don't have
       to work for several years. But I am not sure if i am still young
       enough to start a software company. For example, in 10 years I will
       be 60. Is there any data on this?
        
       Author : justwoquestions
       Score  : 11 points
       Date   : 2022-10-12 22:11 UTC (50 minutes ago)
        
       | frozenport wrote:
       | Does it matter? If you fail you'll still have had fun.
        
       | bsuvc wrote:
       | Of course 50 is not too old as long as you have a growth mindset.
       | 
       | But you already had a software company and it "fizzled out" and
       | you got burned out.
       | 
       | So more importantly, have you learned anything from that, and how
       | will you do things differently this time? (That's a rhetorical
       | question for you to ask yourself)
        
       | gregjor wrote:
       | Yes, lots of research and anecdotal evidence, and easy to find:
       | 
       | https://hbr.org/2018/07/research-the-average-age-of-a-succes...
       | 
       | https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-started-middle-age...
       | 
       | Unless you have physical or mental disabilities brought on by
       | aging, I don't see how your age would have anything to do with
       | it. Either you can build a successful business or you can't.
       | Since prior experience and connections and accumulated skills
       | will play into that, you have some advantages over someone half
       | your age.
       | 
       | I will turn 62 this year, and I'm enjoying the most lucrative and
       | interesting stage of my long career in software. Other than the
       | ham-fisted age discrimination people our age might encounter at
       | job interviews I don't see any impediments.
        
         | [deleted]
        
         | metadat wrote:
         | What has become more lucrative for you now compared to 5, 10,
         | 15 years ago?
        
           | justwoquestions wrote:
           | 10 and 15 years ago i was busy running my company. 5 years
           | ago i was burnt out and wanted to travel
        
       | SevenNation wrote:
       | > Is there any data on this?
       | 
       | The only data that would be relevant to you is whether or not you
       | can do it. And the most relevant fact to consider is _whether or
       | not_ you want to do it.
       | 
       | Have you fulfilled your professional purpose or not? If so, enjoy
       | your retirement. If not, keep going.
       | 
       | You don't mention this option, but if the kind of work that
       | _running_ a company requires doesn 't appeal to you, joining
       | another company might be a path. You could also hire a CEO and
       | become an employee of your own company.
        
       | UncleOxidant wrote:
       | > I don't have to work for several years
       | 
       | So what have you got to lose?
        
         | justwoquestions wrote:
         | Time. It's always important, but the older you are the less you
         | have left
        
           | theGnuMe wrote:
           | All that matters is if you enjoy the journey. The outcome is
           | uncertain.
        
       | taf2 wrote:
       | Really why are you concerned about this age... you could die
       | tomorrow go do what you want and stop worrying ... thats my gut
       | advice.
       | 
       | Start anything , make nothing , there is really no correct answer
       | to your throw away question
        
       | bombcar wrote:
       | Most people who try to start their own company, let alone a
       | software company, fail.
       | 
       | Most people who do so will skew younger for various reasons.
       | 
       | I don't see any reason why you are doomed to failure;
       | _especially_ if you work on bootstrapping something instead of
       | thirsting after VC cash.
        
       | LASR wrote:
       | What aspects of you age do you believe would be relevant to
       | starting a software company?
       | 
       | This really boils down to you, and less about your age.
        
       | GianFabien wrote:
       | Is one data point enough? Col Sanders was 65 when he founded KFC.
       | 
       | As I see it, you have solid past experience and secure financial
       | foundations. So the question is really more about _motivation_.
       | If you still enjoy programming and the selling process a business
       | requires to re-start, then why not?
       | 
       | Are there other persons involved? Family or friends who are
       | trying to talk you out of it? Is there something else that you
       | are equally interested in exploring? like traveling the world,
       | starting a different hobby, moving away from SF, etc?
        
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       (page generated 2022-10-12 23:02 UTC)