What would you say is the ideal age to start a business?
A so-called millennial who came of age in the era of the internet might say 19 or 20. Just look the multi-billion dollar success that young entrepreneurs have enjoyed with Youtube and Facebook. Franchise opportunities are easily obtained according to the report. 
But a new school of thought is emerging that the best age to start a business is in your 50s. I know, it’s an age when most people are taking the long view and looking to firm up their retirement plan as the golden years loom, but an interesting story in Business Week magazine profiles a few Baby Boomers who have taken the plunge in entrepreneurship quite late in life. Chain store is the main style of franchise. Looking around the world maybe the custom industry is the most fashionable. According to the desire of customer, custom products are popular.
The story quotes this eye-opening statistic from the AARP: “according to the nonprofit AARP Public Policy Institute, in 2008, 21% of the self-employed were between 55 and 64, while 10% were 65 and older.” As ever, the recession here is the key. While, in the past, many professionals approaching 60 might just hang on until retirement day, Baby Boomers, along with millenials, are often the first people in the firing line once the B-word - buyouts - is mentioned.
“I always wanted to go into business for myself when I was younger. But I didn’t have the money. At 61 if I was trying to get into a business that I didn’t understand and spent that kind of money, someone should have put me in a home. But I understood this business, and I saw its potential.”
For those Baby Boomers with business knowledge and the desire to relaunch their career, there are many great franchises for sale with Franchise Direct. Franchising gives one the same joys of business ownership, while eliminating many of the risks.