Accidental or greying entrepreneurship: Don’t jump in too fast
Lots of out-of-work folks are starting their own businesses. And many of them are not spring chickens. But, it’s still not clear whether these businesses have staying power. Or these people are cut out for entrepreneurship.
First, about the general trend for laid-off workers to launch a business, a phenomenon termed “accidental entrepreneurship”. There have been a number of studies showing it’s on the rise. Most recently, a survey of 900 workers by CareerBuilder.com found that 32% of those who were laid off in the last six months and have not found jobs are considering starting their own businesses.
The study didn’t break out the ages of these people. But other studies have shown a distinct increase in the rate of entrepreneurship by over-55-year-olds. And , in fact, research by the Kauffman Foundation has found this phenomenon not to be a product just of the recession. It revealed a higher rate of startup activity by those age 55 to 64 than 20 to 34-year-olds every year from 1996 to 2007.
But while unemployed people and greying workers are turning to entrepreneurship, let’s not kid ourselves: This is hardly a useful answer to the jobs crisis. For one thing, entrepreneurship isn’t right for everyone. In fact, it isn’t right for most people, especially those who have spent many years in a corporate environment. As for older workers, those who are turning to startups because they have the means to do so and feel free to pursue their dreams, they’re probably in a good position. But, it’s likely that, these days, many of them are choosing this path because they have to. They’re out of work and no one wants to hire them. Or, as Anita Campbell wrote on American Express OPEN Forum:
On the other hand, it may be that those age 55 and over are starting their businesses due to being laid off — and unable to get another job. Self-financing a business is more prevalent among older entrepreneurs. So — what if older entrepreneurs are tapping not only into severance pay, but also into retirement accounts? Are they giving up their retirement future to start a business? This is a risk that could pay off – and pay off big — if the business is successful. But if not successful, it could mean a difficult and less secure retirement for you and your spouse. Because at that age, you have far less time to start all over again if your startup doesn’t pan out.
via Startups Are Graying… But Is it a Good Financial Move? : Money :: American Express OPEN Forum.
In other words, taking a chance on entrepreneurship for the older crowd is a great idea if, on the one hand, you have resources to tap or, on the other, there’s no other choice. For everyone else, it’s quite dangerous–or foolhardy.
Post Your Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment
T/S Members
Log in with your True/Slant account.
But what would be the alternative for these folks? You said yourself it’s unlikely they’ll be hired by another firm due to their age. I don’t see the government demanding affirmative action for the over-50 set, despite their considerable skills and experience. What do you propose?
If there’s no other choice, then there’s no alternative. I just hope those who take that path go into it with their eyes open. That means, for example, choosing a business that doesn’t require raiding a lot of your retirement savings. It requires considerably more planning than the move might for a younger person.
[...] lack of job opportunities for older Americans. For instance, writing in the True Slant, Anne Field argues that many older entrepreneurs today are being driven to start businesses because they have lost [...]
[...] old start businesses at a rate 25 times higher than among people aged 20 to 24, which has some observers worried that the trend is indicative of a lack of job opportunities for older Americans. [...]
[...] old start businesses at a rate 25 times higher than among people aged 20 to 24, which has some observers worried that the trend is indicative of a lack of job opportunities for older Americans. [...]
[...] old start businesses at a rate 25 times higher than among people aged 20 to 24, which has some observers worried that the trend is indicative of a lack of job opportunities for older Americans. [...]
[...] for older Americans. For instance, writing in the true Slant, Anne Field argues that many older entrepreneurs today are being driven to [...]
[...] lack of job opportunities for older Americans. For instance, writing in the True Slant, Anne Field argues that many older entrepreneurs today are being driven to start businesses because they have lost [...]
[...] old start businesses at a rate 25 times higher than among people aged 20 to 24, which has some observers worried that the trend is indicative of a lack of job opportunities for older Americans. [...]
[...] lack of job opportunities for older Americans. For instance, writing in the True Slant, Anne Field argues that many older entrepreneurs today are being driven to start businesses because they have lost [...]
[...] old start businesses at a rate 25 times higher than among people aged 20 to 24, which has some observers worried that the trend is indicative of a lack of job opportunities for older Americans. [...]
[...] Entrepreneurs? from Small Business Trends the other day when I stumbled upon this intriging quote: Field also worries that entrepreneurship might not be right for older Americans because these folks have spent too [...]
[...] lack of job opportunities for older Americans. For instance, writing in the True Slant, Anne Field argues that many older entrepreneurs today are being driven to start businesses because they have lost [...]
[...] likely that, these days, many of them are choosing this path because they have to,” Anne Field writes. “They’re out of work and no one wants to hire [...]
[...] Accidental or greying entrepreneurship: Don’t jump in too fast (trueslant.com) [...]
[...] Accidental or greying entrepreneurship: Don’t jump in too fast (trueslant.com) [...]
[...] Accidental or greying entrepreneurship: Don’t jump in too fast (trueslant.com) [...]