With the modern world being so rapid, there’s just so much pressure, especially on Millennials and Gen Z, to build their own brand, launch a company, and be entrepreneurs before they’re even done with their early 20s. It seems like what society is saying is, “If you’re not launching your own company by 25, you’re lagging behind.” Entrepreneurship is idolized, yes, but the reality is, it’s not always the greatest choice for everyone, and it certainly is not the only path to success.
If you are pressured to be an entrepreneur or create a personal brand at a young age, here is why it is alright to wait — and the unexpected benefits of waiting until you are a little older. You do not have to hurry to be an entrepreneur since other people are doing that.
The Pressure to Be Your Own Boss
The idea of “Be your own boss” is everywhere — on social media, podcasts, and from influencers who made millions of dollars before they were 30 years old. While this message inspires some, it could put too much pressure on others. It’s simple to glance at successful people such as Mark Zuckerberg, who helped launch Facebook at age 19, or Kylie Jenner, who started a billion-dollar makeup company in her early 20s, and feel as though you must do the same. What everyone else always seems to forget, though, is exactly how much privilege, support, and resources this individual had at their disposal to be that successful.
Starting a business as a young person also has its problems and flaws as well. Especially when you’re still trying to get to know yourself, what you truly are passionate about, or how to deal with the tricky bits of business.
The Importance of Gaining Experience First
One of the biggest benefits of waiting to start your own company is the experience you will have in the years prior to that. This may be from working for someone else, understanding how a specific industry works, or gaining helpful soft skills. Experience is incredibly beneficial when trying to build a sustainable business.
When you work for a company, you learn skills that are pertinent to the industry. You learn valuable lessons about managing people, team leadership, and cooperation. You know what does and does not work in business. This is extremely helpful when you decide to establish your own business in the future.
Later-starting entrepreneurs generally have a better idea of what they wish to do and comprehend the market better. They have gained experience from their own failures or from other people’s failures, which prepares them to handle the difficulties of entrepreneurship.
Benefits of Delayed Start
1. Purposeful and Clear
Getting a later start in business gives you time to have different interests, to know your strengths and weaknesses, and to figure out what you’re passionate about. Younger entrepreneurs feel pressure to do what’s hot, but having experience in life means that you can start a business that serves your actual goals — not what’s popular on Instagram.
2. Financial Stability
One of the benefits of waiting is the financial stability that accrues from working for several years prior to going into business. This stability will equip you with the capital necessary to make sound risks once you actually start a business. You will have an opportunity to save your funds for the business, establish a solid network of contacts, and have better financing options when you are settled at work.
3. Maturity and Resilience
Starting a business is difficult. It takes emotional stamina, patience, and a logical approach to solving problems. You have more time to acquire those traits if you start later in life. You will be less likely to be frazzled by the ebbs and flows of business if you have faced hardship and know how to deal with it.
4. Improved Network and Support System
By waiting, you have time to build a network of mentors, business contacts, and partners. The relationships you build in your 20s and early 30s will be crucial to your entrepreneurial success later on. Such networks can give you access to resources, advice, and funding that would be harder to get if you started a business with little experience.
Entrepreneurs Who Started Later
You don’t need to be in your 20s to launch a successful business. A number of entrepreneurs started out later in life, and their examples demonstrate that it’s never too late to pursue your aspirations. Here are a few famous examples:
Vera Wang
Vera Wang began her fashion business at age 40. She was previously an editor at Vogue and a design director at Ralph Lauren. Wang’s late beginning did not stop her from becoming one of the world’s most famous and successful bridal gown designers.
Ray Kroc
Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald’s into a global fast-food giant, didn’t purchase the company from the McDonald brothers until he was 52 years old. Before that, Kroc sold milkshake machines. His story is a reminder that it is never too late to come across an idea that will transform your life.
Julia Child
Julia Child didn’t author her first cookbook or appear on TV until she was in her late 30s. She did not become famous until she was in her 50s. Her story teaches that you can follow your passion and start a new career at any stage of your life.
Stan Lee
Stan Lee, creator of the Marvel universe, was well into his 40s when he created Spider-Man, Iron Man, and the X-Men. He’d already been working at Marvel for decades before these legendary characters saw the light of day, so it just proves it’s never too late to have an enormous influence in your industry.
Accepting Your Own Schedule
No two individuals are alike, and no timeline exists for success. Sure, there may appear to be so much pressure to go out and become an entrepreneur and start your own business or brand, but diving headfirst into this type of lifestyle with no experience or sufficient means can lead to burnout or business collapse.
Spending some time getting a feel for things, networking with other individuals, and sharpening your skills will make you a more solid entrepreneur when the time comes.
Success is not a function of being the youngest or the quickest to launch a company — it’s a function of timing, perseverance, and the capability to evolve and learn from one’s experiences. Rather than hurriedly rushing forward, concentrate on personal development, financial security, and establishing a solid foundation for whatever lies ahead. The correct opportunities will arise when you’re actually ready for them. If you’re feeling pressured to start your business too quickly, remember this: You have time. Take things in your own time, and allow other people’s timelines to define you, not. It doesn’t make a difference if you’re 25, 35, or 45; becoming an entrepreneur will happen at the right time — and that’s really all that matters.