The Untold Reality of Being an Older Entrepreneur

What doesn’t get talked about enough is what it’s like to be an older entrepreneur—trying to raise a family while building a business. I’m not just running a business; I’m a husband, a father of four, and even a grandfather. That means my time doesn’t look like the young entrepreneur’s time.

I don’t have the luxury of pulling all-nighters whenever I feel like it or dedicating every free hour to my goals. My long hours often start after the family is asleep—when the house is finally quiet. Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s never too late to change your life or chase your dreams, but I do sometimes wish I’d done more when I was younger.

Take this weekend, for example. My oldest son had some issues that needed my attention. Family comes first, no question about it, so I had to press pause on my business-building timetable to handle it. And while I wouldn’t trade being there for my son for anything, it’s moments like this that remind me how unpredictable the entrepreneur-parent balance can be. You expect setbacks like manufacturing delays, shipping problems, or lost products. What you don’t anticipate is your child throwing everything off in a way only family can.

The situation’s resolved now, but that means it’s back to burning the midnight oil to make up for lost time. That’s the life—finding the balance, making sacrifices, and keeping the bigger picture in mind.

If you’re in the same boat, I’d love to hear how you handle it. For me, it’s about staying flexible and reminding myself why I’m doing this in the first place.

Y’all stay blessed. Let’s keep building, one late night at a time.