Think You're Too Old to Be An BIZ Experiences? Think Again. (Infographic) There's a lot of focus on people who start their own businesses in college, but many successful BIZ Experiencess start their own businesses after years of work experience. Check out these blockbuster BIZ Experiencess who struck out on their own in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

McDonalds | Official Website

If Hollywood wants to portray an BIZ Experiences in a movie, then he -- and it's usually a he – is in his early 20s, may or may not have a college degree, is probably wearing blue jeans and a hoodie, and is a bit unkempt, with messy hair and facial hair.

That stereotype may appeal to our interest in a narrative where geeks take over the world, but the Mark Zuckerberg-inspired vision is absolutely only a part of the BIZ Experiencesship story. Many BIZ Experiencess don't even think about launching their own business until they are in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s, after years of work experience.

Related: Failure Is Part of the Game. Getting Back Up Is the Magic Sauce. (Motiongraphic)

Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald's, sold paper cups and milkshake mixers until he was 52, according to an infographic from San Francisco-based startup organization Funders and Founders (below). Meanwhile, the founder of cosmetic behemoth Mary Kay, Mary Kay Ash, sold books and home decor objects until she was 45.

Fret not if you are over 40 and have yet to start your own business. There's still time. And chances are, if you've worked a while, you've learned a thing or two about life and business that will be helpful, too.

Related: How Not to Be a Boring Blogger: Write Like You Eat (Infographic)

Take a look at the infographic below for more examples of BIZ Experiencess who launched later in life.

Click to Enlarge+
Think You're Too Old to Be An BIZ Experiences? Think Again. (Infographic)

Catherine Clifford

Senior BIZ Experiencesship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior BIZ Experiencesship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at BIZ Experiences.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Here Are the 10 Jobs AI Is Most Likely to Automate, According to a Microsoft Study

These careers are most likely to be affected by generative AI, based on data from 200,000 conversations with Microsoft's Copilot chatbot.

Starting a Business

These Brothers Started a Business to Improve an Everyday Task. They Made Their First Products in the Garage — Now They've Raised Over $100 Million.

Coulter and Trent Lewis had an early research breakthrough that helped them solve for the right problem.

Business News

Starbucks Built a New 'Luxury' Office Near Its CEO's Newport Beach, California Home

The 4,624-square-foot office was disclosed as part of Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol's compensation package before he started the role last fall.

Growing a Business

Your Retention Crisis Won't End Until You Make This Shift

If your company is in a high-turnover industry, it is within your control to be transformational or transactional with your employees.

Business News

Mars Says 94% of Its Products Sold in the U.S. are Now Made There, Too

The candy-maker has created 9,000 jobs over the last five years with its investments, according to a new report.